Spinal Rod Reducer with Hinged Grasping Arm
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The process of inserting and securing spinal rods into bone screw housings during spinal surgery is time-consuming and requires significant effort, with repeated adjustments needed for alignment and secure connection, highlighting a need for a device that can securely grasp and position spinal rods with minimal effort.
Innovation Solution
A rod reducer device comprising a housing, anvil, arm assembly, reducing screw, and locking screw, which transitions between open and closed positions to securely engage and adjust spinal rods within bone screw assemblies, allowing for controlled reduction and positioning of spinal rods with reduced manual effort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the surgeon manually inserts and secures spinal rods into bone screw housings using multiple instruments, then the spinal rod connection can be achieved, but the process becomes time-consuming and requires significant effort
Solution Approach 1:
The rod reducer combines multiple functions (grasping the bone screw, positioning the spinal rod, reducing the rod into the screw housing, and locking it in place) into a single integrated device. This eliminates the need for multiple separate instruments and manual manipulation steps, allowing the surgeon to complete the entire rod insertion and securing process with one device, thereby improving productivity and reducing surgical time
Solution Approach 2:
The device enables self-alignment and self-reduction of the spinal rod into the bone screw housing. The anvil and arm assembly automatically position and guide the rod as the bone screw is driven in, eliminating the need for repeated manual adjustments and alignment efforts by the surgeon, thus reducing both time and effort
2Manufacturing precision
If the surgeon repeatedly adjusts and repositions the spinal rod for each bone screw, then proper alignment can be achieved, but the process becomes difficult and tiresome
Solution Approach 1:
The rod reducer acts as an intermediary device between the surgeon and the spinal rod-bone screw system. It provides a mechanical interface that automatically maintains proper alignment and positioning of the spinal rod as it is reduced into each bone screw, eliminating the need for the surgeon to manually adjust and reposition the rod repeatedly. The device's structured geometry ensures precise alignment while making the operation easy and intuitive
Solution Approach 2:
The arm assembly is designed to be flexible and adaptable during the reduction process, allowing it to accommodate slight variations in bone screw positioning while maintaining proper spinal rod alignment. This dynamic capability enables the device to handle real-world surgical variations without requiring repeated manual adjustments, improving both precision and ease of operation
3Reliability
If multiple instruments are used to insert and secure spinal rods, then the spinal column can be immobilized, but the surgical procedure becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The rod reducer merges the functions of multiple separate instruments (rod holder, reduction forceps, locking device) into a single integrated tool. The device securely grasps the bone screw, positions the spinal rod, reduces it into the screw housing, and locks it in place—all with one instrument. This consolidation maintains reliable spinal rod connection security while dramatically reducing surgical procedure complexity and the number of instruments required
4Strength
If manual effort is expended to secure each spinal rod into bone screws, then the connection can be established, but the surgeon experiences fatigue and time loss
Solution Approach 1:
The rod reducer replaces the surgeon's manual mechanical effort with a mechanically advantageous device system. The anvil and arm assembly provide mechanical leverage and force multiplication during the reduction process, allowing the spinal rod to be securely forced into the bone screw housing with minimal manual input from the surgeon. This substitution maintains strong connection strength while dramatically reducing the physical effort and energy expenditure required, preventing surgeon fatigue
Data Source
AI summary
A rod reducer includes a housing, an anvil, a locking anvil configured to engage a locking plug of a bone screw assembly, an arm assembly, a reducing screw extending through the housing and rotatably coupled with the anvil, and a locking screw extending through the housing and rotatably coupled with the locking anvil. The arm assembly includes an arm hingedly coupled to the housing, and first and second grasping members configured to engage the bone screw assembly. The first and second grasping members are hingedly coupled to the housing and extend through the anvil. Rotation of the reducing screw transitions the arm assembly between an open position, in which, distal portions of the arm and the first and second grasping members are radially expanded, and a closed position, in which, the distal portions of the arm and the first and second grasping members are radially contracted.