Spine Surgery Inserter with Automatic Implant Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spine surgery inserters require multiple instruments for distraction and implant insertion, with manual assistance needed for implant release, increasing procedural complexity and resource usage.
Innovation Solution
A multifunctional instrument with a handle, drive shaft, and tongs that allows for both distraction and controlled implant insertion, featuring a drive shaft advancement mechanism for incremental precision and automatic implant release, reducing the need for additional instruments and assistants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple instruments are used for distraction and implant insertion, then the surgical procedure can be performed with separate specialized tools, but the procedural complexity and number of instruments required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines distraction and implant insertion functions into a single instrument. The drive shaft serves dual purposes: it distracts the vertebral bodies by spreading tongs apart and simultaneously advances the implant holder to deliver the implant. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate distraction and insertion instruments, reducing procedural complexity while maintaining functional versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The drive shaft is designed as a universal component that performs multiple functions: it mechanically couples to the implant holder for implant advancement, spreads the tongs apart for distraction, and provides a pathway for the implant. This multi-functional design allows one instrument to replace multiple specialized tools, addressing the contradiction between versatility and complexity
2Ease of operation
If manual assistance is required for implant release, then the release mechanism can be actuated, but an additional person is needed during the surgical procedure
Solution Approach 1:
The implant release mechanism is designed to be self-actuating. When the drive shaft is rotated after implant delivery, the slots in the drive shaft cause the arms to pivot outward relative to the sleeve, automatically releasing the implant. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual assistance by an assistant to hold the inserter or actuate the release, allowing the surgeon to perform the release independently
Solution Approach 2:
The release mechanism utilizes dynamic motion through rotation of the drive shaft. The rotational movement transforms the static gripping position into a dynamic release position, where the slots in the drive shaft guide the arms through a pivoting motion that automatically disengages the implant. This dynamic approach enables easy operation without requiring additional personnel
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Simplifies spine surgery by integrating distraction and insertion functions into a single instrument, enabling precise implant placement with reduced instrument count and eliminating the need for manual assistance during implant release.
Implementation Method 1
A slot pin fixed may be fixed to the sleeve and extend through an elongated slot in each of the pair of arms and a pivot pin may extend through a pivot aperture through each of the pair of arms such the pair of arms are rotatably attached to the distal end of the drive shaft. The slot pin may slide within the elongated slot of each of the pair of arms such that the pair of arms pivot about the pivot pin inwardly towards each other when the sleeve moves in the distal direction relative to the pair of arms
Implementation Method 2
A biasing member may be included and be configured to urge the sleeve in the distal direction. The biasing member may be positioned between the distal end of the drive shaft and an inner ledge of the sleeve
Implementation Method 3
The drive shaft advancement mechanism is configured to threadingly engaged the drive shaft in a first position and threadingly disengaged the drive shaft in a second position. The drive shaft advances in a distal direction or proximal direction upon rotation of the drive shaft when the drive shaft advancement mechanism is in the first position
Implementation Method 4
the drive shaft advances from a blow from a tool such as a hammer when the drive shaft advancement mechanism is in the second position
Data Source
AI summary
An instrument with an implant holder disposed between a pair of tongs is provided. The implant holder may include a sleeve mechanically coupled to a distal end of a drive shaft and a pair of arms pivotably disposed within the sleeve. Movement of the sleeve in the distal direction pivots the pair of arms towards each other to grip the implant and movement of the sleeve in the proximal direction pivots the arms away from each other to automatically release the implant from the implant holder. The instrument may also include a dual mode drive shaft advancement mechanism that allows the implant holder to be advanced via an impact on the drive shaft from a tool such as a hammer or by rotation of the drive shaft.