Surgical Instrument Fixing Device for Spinous Process Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical instruments for stabilizing vertebral bodies lack ease of handling and risk of deep insertion, leading to potential injury and complexity in positioning.
Innovation Solution
A surgical instrument set with a fixing device that allows the implant to be brought into an insertion position with increased distance between support elements, limiting the maximum depth of insertion and facilitating better positioning by acting as stops for spinous processes, and a coupling device to reduce insertion height and prevent undesired contact with body structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the implant is inserted in the basic position without a fixing device, then the implant structure is simple, but the implant cannot be positioned precisely and may be inserted too deeply
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing device acts as an intermediary tool between the surgeon and the implant during insertion. It provides reference surfaces (first and second reference surfaces) that interface with the spinous processes to establish precise positioning, then is removed after insertion, leaving the implant correctly positioned without requiring permanent complex structures
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the support elements are kept close together in the basic position, then the implant has compact structure, but the insertion depth cannot be limited and risk of deep insertion injury increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing device is attached to the implant before insertion and preliminarily establishes the correct insertion depth by spreading the support elements to a predetermined distance. The first and second reference surfaces of the fixing device contact the spinous processes to limit insertion depth, preventing harmful deep insertion before the implant is even in position
3Ease of operation
If the implant is inserted without a fixing device, then the procedure is simpler, but the handling ease and positioning control are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing device serves as a temporary intermediary that provides handling features (first and second handling features) for secure grip and control during insertion. It guides the implant into correct positioning through its reference surfaces, then is removed, providing temporary handling assistance without leaving permanent complexity in the implant
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a surgical instrument comprising an implant (12) for mutually supporting an upper spinous process of a first vertebral body by means of an upper support surface (53) and a lower spinous process of a second vertebral body by means of a lower support surface (54). The implant comprises a first implant component (28) and a second implant component (29) which can be moved in relation to the first implant component in the direction of tension, in order to change the position of the implant from a base position in an expansion position, in an expansion position which is traverse to the direction of tension, to the expansion position in which the upper support surface and the lower support surface are arranged at a distance in relation to each other which is greater than in the base position. Said implant comprises at least one upper support element (57) on the introduction side and at least one lower support element (55) on the introduction side for laterally supporting the upper spinous process or the lower spinous process on the introduction side. Said instrument also comprises a fixing device (14) for the implant for widening the at last one upper support element on the introduction side and the at least one lower support element on the introduction side in relation to each other in the direction of expansion.