Minimally Invasive Rod Reducer for Spinal Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal fixation procedures require invasive methods to align and secure spinal rods with pedicle screws, leading to increased pain and prolonged recovery times for patients.
Innovation Solution
A minimally invasive rod reducer system comprising an outer and inner member with a handle assembly, allowing for axial and rotational movement to secure spinal rods within pedicle screws, along with a compressor/distractor device for adjusting vertebral alignment, facilitating compression or distraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional invasive methods are used to align and secure spinal rods with pedicle screws, then secure fixation is achieved, but patient pain increases and recovery time prolongs
Solution Approach 1:
The rod reducer is inserted through the hollow shaft of the pedicle screw, with the distal end of the reducer engaging the rod while the proximal end is manipulated externally. This nested configuration allows the rod to be reduced and secured through a minimally invasive pathway without requiring open surgery, thereby reducing patient trauma and pain while achieving secure fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The rod reducer acts as an intermediary tool that facilitates the interaction between the surgeon and the spinal rod-pedicle screw construct. By using this intermediate device, the surgeon can perform precise rod reduction and securing operations through small incisions, avoiding the need for large open surgical approaches and reducing associated patient pain and recovery time.
2Manufacturing precision
If traditional open surgical approaches are used for spinal rod insertion, then precise alignment is achieved, but invasiveness increases and recovery time prolongs
Solution Approach 1:
The rod reducer is inserted through the hollow shaft of the pedicle screw, with the distal end of the reducer engaging the rod while the proximal end is manipulated externally. This nested configuration allows the rod to be reduced and secured through a minimally invasive pathway without requiring open surgery, thereby reducing patient trauma and pain while achieving secure fixation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If minimally invasive methods are used for rod insertion, then patient pain is reduced and recovery time shortens, but alignment precision and securing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The rod reducer acts as an intermediary tool that facilitates the interaction between the surgeon and the spinal rod-pedicle screw construct. By using this intermediate device, the surgeon can perform precise rod reduction and securing operations through small incisions, avoiding the need for large open surgical approaches and reducing associated patient pain and recovery time.
Solution Approach 2:
The rod reducer incorporates a rotatable proximal segment that can be rotated to axially translate the distal segment, enabling dynamic adjustment and precise control of the rod reduction process. This rotational mechanism allows the surgeon to achieve accurate alignment and secure fixation through minimally invasive access, maintaining precision while reducing patient trauma.
4Reliability
If a rotatable proximal segment is added to axially translate the distal segment, then rod securing capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rod reducer incorporates a rotatable proximal segment that can be rotated to axially translate the distal segment, enabling dynamic adjustment and precise control of the rod reduction process. This rotational mechanism allows the surgeon to achieve accurate alignment and secure fixation through minimally invasive access, maintaining precision while reducing patient trauma.
Data Source
AI summary
A compressor/distractor system for operating on a spine is disclosed. The system includes two rod reducers which each advance a spinal rod into the shoulder portion of a pedicle screw. Each rod reducer includes an inner member, an outer member, and a pair of gripping members. Each outer member receives and advances the spinal rod into the pedicle screw. The outer member also includes a through slot which receives the proximal end of each of the pair of gripping members which may limit the longitudinal translation of the outer member with respect to the inner member. The compressor/distractor system may include a compressor/distractor device which has a compressing, a distracting, and a neutral configuration. A method for using the minimally invasive rod reducers with the compressor/distractor system to secure at least two pedicle screws in desired positions on a spinal rod is also disclosed.