Patient-Specific Spinal Rods for Tower-Free Screw Placement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for improved spinal rods, sets of spinal rods, insertion tools, and systems for implanting spinal rods that are patient-specific and can be implanted without the need for pedicle screw towers, while providing precise screw placement based on individual patient anatomy.
Innovation Solution
Patient-specific spinal rods with customizable cross-sectional shapes, passageways, and engagement extensions, along with insertion tools that allow for patient-specific screw placement and eliminate the need for pedicle screw towers by enabling spinal rod insertion before screw placement, using tools with guide passageways that match the spinal rod's axial trajectories.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional pedicle screw towers are used for spinal rod implantation, then screw placement can be performed, but the procedure becomes complex and time-consuming with additional hardware requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the pedicle screw tower from the implantation procedure entirely. The spinal rod is designed with integrated passageways that allow screws to be inserted directly through the rod body, eliminating the need for separate tower structures and their associated complex assembly and removal steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The spinal rod is pre-configured with passageways and structural features during manufacturing that anticipate and facilitate subsequent screw insertion. The rod geometry is designed beforehand to guide screw placement, eliminating the need for intraoperative tower assembly and configuration.
2Manufacturing precision
If standard spinal rods with fixed geometry are used, then manufacturing is simplified, but precise patient-specific screw placement cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The spinal rod is designed with varying cross-sectional geometries at different locations along its length. Each cross-section is customized to match the specific anatomical requirements of that region, allowing precise screw placement pathways while maintaining manufacturability through modern fabrication techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The rod's cross-sectional parameters (shape, size, orientation) are varied along its length to optimize screw placement for each specific patient anatomy. This includes changing the number, position, and angle of passageways to match the unique anatomical landmarks and screw trajectories required for that patient.
3Measurement precision
If patient-specific spinal rods are manufactured, then precise screw placement is enabled, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
All patient-specific measurements, anatomical considerations, and screw placement pathways are determined and incorporated into the rod design before surgery. Preoperative imaging and planning allow the custom rod to be manufactured in advance with exact geometries, eliminating the need for complex intraoperative measurements and adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patient-specific rod design incorporates self-aligning features and intuitive geometries that guide the surgeon through the implantation process without requiring complex navigation systems or extensive surgical skill. The rod's own structure provides the guidance and constraints needed for accurate screw placement.
4Productivity
If pedicle screw towers are required for rod insertion, then structural support is provided during implantation, but the procedure requires additional steps and hardware removal
Solution Approach 1:
The pedicle screw tower component is completely removed from the system. The spinal rod is designed to provide structural support and guidance independently through its own reinforced geometry and integrated passageways, eliminating the need for separate tower structures that would need to be installed and subsequently removed.
Solution Approach 2:
The functions previously separated between the pedicle screw tower and the spinal rod are merged into a single integrated rod structure. The rod simultaneously provides structural support, screw guidance, and anatomical adaptation, consolidating multiple components into one that improves surgical efficiency by reducing the number of assembly and disassembly steps.
Data Source
AI summary
Example spinal rods, sets of spinal rods, insertion tools, systems for Implanting spinal rods, methods of implanting spinal rods, methods of making spinal rods, methods of making sets of spinal rods, methods of making Insertion tools, and methods of making systems for implanting spinal rods in a patient are described.