Surgical Cutting System with Guide Device for Spinal Rod Trimming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rod cutting systems for spinal fixation surgeries are not suitable for precise, controlled cutting of rods within the patient's body, lacking the necessary precision and safety for use during the surgical process.
Innovation Solution
A surgical cutting system comprising a rod cutting tool with a drive motor and cutting element, guided by a device with a rod-clamping mechanism and adjustment mechanism, allowing for precise positioning and cutting of rods implanted in the spine, featuring a power source and transmission system for controlled operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional rod cutting systems are used, then cutting can be performed outside the patient's body, but precision and safety for cutting within the patient's body are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a guide device as an intermediary component that interfaces between the rod cutting tool and the rod within the patient's body. The guide device includes a guide body with a guide bore that receives the rod, and a rod-clamping element that secures the rod in place. This intermediary structure provides the necessary stability and precision for cutting operations inside the patient's body, while maintaining ease of operation through its integrated design that combines guiding, clamping, and cutting functions.
2Device complexity
If manual rod cutting methods are used, then device complexity is reduced, but control and precision during surgery are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single integrated rod cutting system. The system combines the rod cutting tool with a guide device that includes guiding, clamping, and cutting functions in one unified structure. The guide body, rod-clamping element, and cutting element work together as an integrated assembly, eliminating the need for separate manual positioning and clamping operations. This merging approach maintains relative system simplicity while achieving high cutting precision through the coordinated interaction of its components.
3Productivity
If powered cutting tools are used, then cutting speed and efficiency are improved, but safety and control within the patient's body may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The guide device serves as a safety intermediary that mediates between the powered cutting tool and the rod. The guide body with its guide bore and the rod-clamping element create a controlled environment that restricts the powered tool's movements to precise, predetermined paths. This intermediary structure ensures that the high-speed powered cutting operation remains safe and controllable within the patient's body, preventing accidental movements while maintaining cutting efficiency.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If rod cutting is performed outside the patient's body, then safety is improved, but surgical time and procedural complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cutting operation with the in-situ rod positioning, allowing the rod to be cut directly within the patient's body. The guide device is positioned around the rod already implanted in the patient, and the cutting element is brought to the rod through the guide body. This merging of positioning and cutting operations eliminates the need to remove the rod for cutting, thereby reducing surgical time while maintaining safety through the controlled, guided cutting process.
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
Enables safe and precise cutting of rods within the patient's body during spinal fusion surgery, reducing the risk of accidental injury and facilitating efficient removal of hardware post-surgery.
Implementation Method 1
a drive motor and a cutting element mounted on the housing connected with the drive motor
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical cutting system has a rod cutting tool and a guide device. The rod cutting tool includes a housing containing a drive motor and a cutting element mounted on the housing connected with the drive motor. The guide device includes a guide body, an attachment mechanism for attaching the rod cutting tool to the guide body, an elongate body movably mounted on the guide body, a rod-clamping element operably mounted on the elongate body, to lockingly engage the rod during the spinal fusion surgery and position the cutting element adjacent the rod. The cutting system also includes an adjustment mechanism for moving the elongate body relative to the guide body thereby moving the cutting element to cut the rod.