Spinal Rod Reducer with Pivoting Locking Feet
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal fusion procedures require multiple tools for coupling and locking spinal rods into bone screws, which can be cumbersome and inefficient, especially in transitioning between unlocked, partially locked, and locked configurations.
Innovation Solution
A surgical apparatus comprising a rod reducer with a sleeve, shaft, anvil, and locking feet that pivot between released and engaged configurations, allowing for the efficient reduction and locking of spinal rods into bone screws, utilizing a dual-layered housing mechanism that transitions between unlocked, partially locked, and locked states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple discrete tools are used for rod reduction and locking, then the procedure can be performed with simple individual tool designs, but the surgical procedure becomes cumbersome and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the rod reduction function and the locking function into a single integrated rod reducer apparatus. The apparatus includes an anvil for rod reduction, a locking foot for engaging the bone screw housing, and a cam mechanism that coordinates both functions. This merging eliminates the need to switch between multiple discrete tools during the surgical procedure, directly improving ease of operation while accepting increased device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The rod reducer apparatus is designed to perform multiple functions: reducing the rod into the bone screw, locking the rod in place, and transitioning between unlocked, partially locked, and locked configurations. The single apparatus serves as both a reduction tool and a locking tool, making it universal for the entire rod fixation process and eliminating the need for multiple specialized tools.
2Productivity
If a single integrated apparatus is used for both rod reduction and locking, then the surgical procedure becomes more efficient, but the apparatus complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the reduction mechanism and locking mechanism into one integrated apparatus. The anvil assembly combines the anvil for rod reduction with the locking foot for engagement, while the cam mechanism coordinates both functions. This allows the surgeon to perform both reduction and locking with a single tool, improving productivity during the surgical procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus employs dynamic elements including a rotatable cam mechanism that transitions the locking foot between engaged and disengaged positions, and movable arm members that pivot between parallel and non-parallel arrangements. These dynamic components allow the single apparatus to adapt its configuration during different phases of the procedure (reduction vs. locking), enabling multiple functions without requiring separate static tools for each function.
3Loss of time
If discrete tools are used for transitioning between locked configurations, then each tool can be simple and specialized, but the procedure requires more tool transitions and time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the transition mechanism for unlocked, partially locked, and locked configurations into the single rod reducer apparatus. The cam mechanism and locking foot work together to enable smooth transitions between all three states without requiring tool changes. This eliminates the time loss associated with transitioning between multiple discrete tools while managing the complexity through integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus enables continuous action throughout the rod fixation process. The locking foot remains engaged with the housing throughout the transition from unlocked to locked states, and the cam mechanism provides continuous rotational control. This eliminates interruptions and tool transitions, maintaining continuous useful action and reducing the time loss that would occur with discrete specialized tools for each configuration state.
Data Source
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AI summary
A rod reducer including a housing, a plurality of arm members, an anvil, a shaft, a sleeve, and a plurality of locking feet. The shaft and locking feet are coupled to the anvil. The housing is slidably disposed within a cavity of the sleeve and defines an opening to receive the shaft. The locking feet are additionally coupled to the sleeve and are pivotable between an engaged configuration with the sleeve in a distal position with respect to the anvil and a released configuration with the sleeve in a proximal position. In the engaged configuration an engagement surface of the locking feet couple to an outer housing of a dual layered housing of a bone screw such that proximal translation of the shaft drives the outer housing proximally with respect to an inner housing of the bone screw into a partially locked or locked configuration.