Spinal Surgery Tool with Locking Handle and Integrated Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal surgery tools for distracting, compressing, and measuring vertebral segments are bulky, inflexible, and require multiple steps for assembly, limiting their effectiveness and efficiency in minimally invasive procedures.
Innovation Solution
A tool with a handle assembly and locking mechanism that allows for translation and pivoting to distract or compress vertebral segments, combined with a measuring device that indicates the length of a connecting element for precise alignment and measurement, enabling simultaneous distraction, compression, and measurement functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate tools are used for distraction, compression, and measurement, then each function can be performed with a specialized tool, but the procedure requires multiple assembly steps and increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines distraction, compression, and measurement functions into a single integrated tool. The handle assembly includes first and second handle portions that can be selectively locked together, while the measuring device is integrated into the tool structure. This merging eliminates the need for multiple separate tools and reduces assembly complexity during the surgical procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool is designed to perform multiple functions: distraction (separating vertebrae), compression (pressing vertebrae together), and measurement (measuring distance between pedicles). The handle assembly can be configured in different states via the locking mechanism, and the measuring device provides measurement capability, making the tool universal for various surgical needs.
2Force
If bulky traditional tools are used for spinal surgery, then sufficient force can be applied for distraction and compression, but the tools are inflexible in positioning and reduce ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The handle assembly incorporates a locking mechanism that allows dynamic reconfiguration between locked and unlocked states. When unlocked, the handle portions can translate and pivot relative to each other, providing flexibility for positioning. When locked, the handle portions are fixed translatably, providing stability for force application. This dynamic design resolves the contradiction between flexibility and force application.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool is divided into distinct segments: first handle portion, second handle portion, locking mechanism, and measuring device. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the handle portions can be positioned flexibly when needed, while the locking mechanism provides stable force transmission when required.
3Reliability
If separate distraction and compression tools are used, then each tool can be optimized for its specific function, but the surgical procedure becomes less efficient and increases loss of time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges distraction and compression functions into a single tool platform. The handle assembly can be configured for either distraction or compression by adjusting the locking mechanism, eliminating the need to switch between separate tools during the procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool serves as a universal instrument that can perform both distraction and compression functions, as well as measurement. This multi-functionality significantly improves surgical efficiency by allowing the surgeon to complete multiple tasks with a single tool rather than switching between multiple specialized tools.
4Ease of operation
If measurement is performed without compression or distraction force, then the measurement process is simpler, but the measurement precision of pedicle distance is approximate rather than accurate
Solution Approach 1:
The measuring device is pre-integrated into the tool structure, ready for use. The surgeon can first perform compression or distraction to achieve the desired vertebral alignment, then immediately use the integrated measuring device to obtain an accurate measurement of the pedicle distance under those specific conditions, rather than measuring beforehand and hoping for accurate results.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides tools to distract, compress, and measure a vertebral body segment. In one aspect of the invention, a tool includes a handle assembly and a locking mechanism operable between a first condition in which handle portions can translate and pivot relative to one another and a second condition in which the handle portions are fixed translatably. In another aspect of the invention, a tool for distracting and compressing a vertebral body segment includes a measuring device to simultaneously indicate the length of a connecting element for coupling the fasteners. In another aspect of the invention, a measurement device includes indicia defined by a locus of points corresponding to a particular connecting element length. In another aspect of the invention, a method of coupling a first fastener engaged with a first vertebrae to a second fastener engaged with a second vertebrae is provided.