Spinal Rod Reducer With Self-Locking Sleeve Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for inserting and securing spinal rods into bone screws are time-consuming, labor-intensive, and require multiple instruments, making it difficult to efficiently correct spinal deformities like scoliosis.
Innovation Solution
A manually operated rod reducer device with a shaft, sleeve assembly, housing, arm members, and anvil that allows for controlled and measured reduction of the spinal rod into the screw housing, featuring a locking mechanism for quick engagement and disengagement, reducing the need for manual rotation and minimizing clinician fatigue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual insertion and securing of spinal rod into bone screws is performed using multiple instruments, then the spinal rod can be properly secured, but the surgical time and clinician effort increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The rod reducer combines multiple functions (rod holding, reduction, and locking) into a single integrated device. The housing contains both the rod holder and the locking mechanism, eliminating the need for separate instruments to secure the spinal rod into bone screws, thereby reducing surgical time while maintaining securement reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The rod reducer serves multiple purposes: it holds the spinal rod, reduces it into the bone screw, and locks it in place. This multi-functional device replaces several specialized instruments, streamlining the surgical process without compromising the securement of the spinal rod
2Reliability
If repeated manual insertion and securing of spinal rod is performed, then the spinal fixation is achieved, but clinician fatigue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rod reducer incorporates a self-locking mechanism where the set screw automatically engages with the rod holder upon rotation. This self-service feature eliminates the need for repeated manual adjustments and securement actions, reducing clinician fatigue while ensuring reliable spinal fixation
Solution Approach 2:
The set screw acts as an intermediary locking mechanism that translates rotational motion into axial clamping force on the spinal rod. This mechanical intermediary simplifies the clinician's task by providing a single rotational action that simultaneously secures and locks the rod, reducing repetitive manual operations
3Reliability
If traditional instruments are used for spinal rod insertion, then the procedure can be completed, but the process becomes difficult and tiresome
Solution Approach 1:
The rod holder is nested within the housing, and the set screw is nested within the rod holder. This nested configuration allows the clinician to perform rod insertion and locking through a single device with sequential actions, eliminating the need to switch between multiple difficult-to-manage instruments while ensuring reliable rod insertion
Data Source
AI summary
A rod reducer includes a shaft, a sleeve assembly defining a bore dimensioned to receive the shaft therethrough, a housing defining a bore dimensioned to receive the shaft, arm members operatively associated with the housing, and an anvil operatively coupled with the shaft. The sleeve assembly includes a locking tab. The housing includes a groove configured to selectively receive the locking tab of the sleeve assembly. The housing includes a locking ledge portion in registration with the groove. The anvil is transitionable between a proximal position, in which, the arm members are spaced apart, and a distal position, in which, the arm members are in an approximated position. The sleeve assembly is rotatable between an engaged state in which, the locking ledge portion inhibits relative axial displacement of the sleeve assembly with the housing, and a disengaged state in which, the sleeve assembly is axially movable relative to the housing.