Spinal Rod Reduction Instrument with Adjustable Actuator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal fixation systems face difficulties in aligning and seating spinal rods into the rod receiving members of bone anchors due to the positioning and rigidity of vertebrae, often requiring time-consuming and challenging use of spinal rod reduction instruments.
Innovation Solution
An instrument with a reduction member and actuator assembly that moves distally along the anchor extension, utilizing a connection mechanism adjustable between connected and released positions to facilitate the seating of spinal rods into U-shaped slots of bone anchors, improving the efficiency of rod reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional rod reduction instruments are used, then spinal rod alignment and seating can be achieved, but the procedure becomes time-consuming and difficult to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument incorporates a reduction member that can dynamically adjust its position along the anchor extension through the actuator assembly, allowing real-time control during the rod reduction process. The connection mechanism enables dynamic attachment and detachment of the actuator assembly, providing flexibility and ease of operation while reducing procedural time.
2Ease of operation
If the connection mechanism is made adjustable between connected and released positions, then the actuator assembly can be easily attached and detached, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument is divided into distinct functional segments: the anchor extension, the actuator assembly, and the connection mechanism. This segmentation allows the actuator assembly to be independently attached and detached from the anchor extension, simplifying operation while managing complexity through modular design. The connection mechanism serves as an interface that enables easy coupling and decoupling of these segments.
Data Source
AI summary
An instrument for reducing a spinal rod includes a reduction member sized and shaped to be positioned about an anchor extension connected to a bone anchor, an actuator assembly connected to the reduction member and operable to move the reduction member distally relative to the anchor extension along a longitudinal axis of the anchor extension, and a connection mechanism for removable and replaceable connection of the actuator assembly to a proximal end of the anchor extension. The connection mechanism is adjustable between a first position in which the connection mechanism connects the actuator assembly to the proximal end of the anchor extension and a second position in which the connection mechanism and the actuator assembly are released from the anchor extension.