Surgical Screw Caddy With Elastomeric Stabilization for Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Miniature surgical screws are difficult to package, handle, and deliver in surgical procedures, often leading to dislodgement and less than optimal positioning due to the lack of stabilization during transport and insertion into the patient.
Innovation Solution
A surgical screw caddy device using a non-rigid elastomeric material with openings to stabilize screws, combined with a rigid member and handle, allowing secure transport and controlled insertion into a surgical plate and patient.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If screws are loaded onto a screwdriver tip at a back table and transported to the patient, then the surgeon can access the screws, but the screws become difficult to handle and are prone to dislodgement during transport and insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a screw caddy as an intermediary device between the screw storage and the screwdriver. The caddy receives multiple screws, stabilizes them during transport, and allows controlled delivery to the surgical site, eliminating the instability of transporting screws directly on the screwdriver tip
Solution Approach 2:
The screw handling process is segmented into distinct functions: storage (caddy), transport (caddy with handle), and delivery (caddy to screwdriver interface). This segmentation allows each component to optimize for its specific function, with the caddy providing stability during transport while allowing precise control during insertion
2Measurement precision
If the surgeon attempts to insert the screw into a surgical plate hole using the screwdriver, then the screw can be positioned, but precision is required or else the screw can become dislodged from the driver and dropped
Solution Approach 1:
The caddy performs preliminary stabilization of the screw before insertion. The screw is secured in the caddy with appropriate support structures that maintain its position and orientation, allowing the surgeon to work with greater confidence and reduced precision requirements during the actual insertion process
3Reliability
If the screw is aligned correctly with the plate hole, then the screw can be driven through, but it is often difficult to stably drive the screw through the plate hole and into the bone, creating more opportunity for dislodgement
Solution Approach 1:
The caddy acts as a mediator that maintains screw stability throughout the insertion process. The design includes features that support the screw during driving, preventing dislodgement without requiring complex insertion mechanisms or additional stabilization devices
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
The device stabilizes screws during transport and insertion, reducing dislodgement and improving screw positioning, thereby enhancing surgical workflow and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
The non-rigid elastomeric material is configured on the cartridge to stabilize the screw within the cartridge
Data Source
AI summary
A screw caddy device has material and structure to stabilize surgical screws for transport and engagement with a patient. The device includes non-rigid elastomeric material. The non-rigid elastomeric material is formed with openings to receive the screws for transport and to stabilize the screws while being extended into the patient. Lower exterior surfaces of the non-rigid elastomeric material may even be configured to engage holes in a surgical plate to assist with extending the screws into the plate and patient. Also disclosed are methods for manufacturing, providing, and using screw caddy device(s) consistent with present principles.