Spinal Rod Guide for Minimally Invasive Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for mounting a spinal rod onto a spinal rod connector of a vertebral bone screw are cumbersome and difficult due to the complex procedure required, which complicates the secure fixation of spinal rods in spine surgery.
Innovation Solution
A spinal rod guide is introduced, comprising elongated arc portions that define a guide tube with longitudinal slots, allowing easy alignment and securement of the spinal rod into the spinal rod holder, and can be temporarily attached and detached for easy removal after installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional spinal rod connector is used without a guide tube, then the spinal rod can be mounted onto the vertebral bone screw, but the procedure becomes cumbersome and difficult due to complex alignment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
A guide tube is introduced as an intermediary component between the spinal rod and the vertebral bone screw connector. The guide tube extends from the skin surface to the connector and provides a pre-aligned pathway that facilitates easy insertion of the spinal rod while maintaining precise alignment, thereby simplifying the mounting procedure without adding significant complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The guide tube is pre-positioned and secured to the connector before the spinal rod insertion. This preliminary action establishes the correct alignment and positioning in advance, allowing the spinal rod to be easily inserted along the pre-defined pathway without requiring complex real-time alignment maneuvers
2Ease of operation
If a guide tube is added to facilitate spinal rod mounting, then the ease of operation improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide tube is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as an alignment guide, a insertion pathway, and a temporary structural support. By consolidating these functions into a single component, the design adds minimal complexity while maximizing operational ease and eliminating the need for multiple separate alignment tools or devices
Data Source
AI summary
A guide assembly includes a rod guide portion comprising an upper threaded portion and a non-threaded portion, a spinal rod holder coupled to the rod guide portion and configured to receive a spinal screw, the spinal rod holder comprising an intermediate threaded portion spaced apart from the upper threaded portion by the non-threaded portion and a lower threaded portion, where the upper threaded portion is configured to engage a threaded portion of a reduction tool in a first configuration and disengage the threaded portion of the reduction tool in a second configuration with the reduction tool advanced in the spinal rod holder toward the lower threaded portion, and the rod guide portion is removable from a remainder of the spinal rod holder.