Spinal Rod Bender with Open Lumen for Intraoperative Re-Bending
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal rod bending tools do not allow for adjustments to the shape of bent rods during surgical procedures, as they cannot accommodate reinsertion of the bent rod for further bending or adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A spinal rod bending tool with an elongate shaft and a lumen that includes a plurality of openings and a channel for lateral extension of the pre-bent rod, along with a locking mechanism, enabling manipulation and repositioning of the rod for precise shaping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a rod bending tool with a closed lumen is used, then the rod can be bent to a desired shape, but the bent rod cannot be re-inserted for adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The lumen is segmented into multiple sections with varying degrees of openness. The proximal portion has a first degree of openness allowing rod insertion and adjustment, while the distal portion has a second degree of openness for bending operations. This segmentation enables both rod reinsertion for adjustments and precise bending to be performed with the same tool.
2Manufacturing precision
If the lumen is completely closed, then bending precision is improved, but rod manipulation flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Different portions of the lumen have different qualities of openness. The proximal portion maintains a degree of openness to allow rod insertion, removal, and reinsertion for adjustments. The distal portion has a different degree of openness optimized for bending precision. This local differentiation of quality allows each section to optimize for its specific function while working together as a unified tool.
Data Source
AI summary
Surgical methods and devices are provided for bending spinal rods. In one embodiment, a handheld tool is provided having an elongate shaft with a lumen formed therein that is configured to accommodate a spinal rod. The tool can include an opening in a proximal end that is configured to permit the loading of the spinal rod into the lumen, and a plurality of openings spaced along a longitudinal axis thereof that intersect the lumen for allowing a user to view and/or grasp a rod extending through the rod-receiving lumen and positioned within one of the plurality of openings. The tool can further be configured to permit a bent spinal rod to be received within the lumen. For example, the tool can include a channel in a lower surface thereof that allows a rod to exit the lumen and to extend laterally away from the tool.