Surgical Driver Shank Non-Threaded Connection Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical drivers used in spinal treatments can inadvertently unthread, affecting the connection between the driver shank and bone fasteners, leading to instability during surgical procedures for musculoskeletal disorders.
Innovation Solution
A driver instrument system featuring a driver shank with a non-threaded connection to an inner sleeve, allowing for axial rotation of bone constructs, and a sleeve actuator assembly that can extend or retract the inner sleeve to securely engage and disengage the driver shank with bone fasteners, providing a stable and secure connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a threaded connection is used between the driver shank and support sleeve, then the connection can be initially secured, but the driver may become inadvertently unthreaded causing the shank to toggle and affecting the mated connection
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is divided into two distinct functional components: a non-threaded connection portion between the driver shank and support sleeve for stable engagement, and a separate threaded connection portion between the support sleeve and driver body for secure attachment. This segmentation eliminates the toggling issue while maintaining connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The support sleeve acts as an intermediary component that mediates between the driver shank and driver body. It provides a non-threaded connection interface with the shank to prevent toggling, while maintaining threaded connection capability with the driver body for secure attachment and controlled release.
2Reliability
If a non-threaded connection is used between the driver shank and inner sleeve, then unintended disconnection is prevented, but the ability to easily engage and disengage the driver shank with bone fasteners is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The support sleeve is designed with dynamic movement capability, allowing it to be selectively moved between engaged and disengaged positions relative to the driver shank. This dynamic design enables easy engagement and disengagement of the driver shank with bone fasteners while maintaining stable connection during the procedure through the non-threaded interface.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and method of using a surgical driver instrument are provided. The driver instrument includes a driver shank having a proximal end including a head connector for a bone construct. The instrument includes an inner sleeve having a length and configured to receive the driver shank therein and a handle member having a first end and a second end. The inner sleeve and the driver shank have a non-threaded connection. The instrument includes an outer sleeve connected to the second end and concentric with the inner sleeve and a sleeve actuator assembly coupled to the handle member. The sleeve actuator assembly includes a first position where a portion of the length of the inner sleeve extends out from the handle member and a second position where the portion of the length of the inner sleeve that is extended from the handle member is retracted into the handle member.