Threaded Spinal Rod Reducer with Visual Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal surgery techniques face challenges in efficiently reducing spinal fixation rods into bone anchors, such as pedicle screws, due to lack of visibility and suitable tactile indicators, leading to increased procedural time and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A threaded rod reducer with a tubular body, threaded rod reduction member, rotatable reduction knob, and locking sleeve, which allows for independent movement and secure attachment to pedicle screws, providing visual indicators for precise rod reduction and reducing procedural time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional rod reduction techniques are used, then the rod can be reduced into the bone anchor, but the procedure is time-consuming and lacks visual feedback
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates visual feedback mechanisms through transparent or translucent portions of the rod reducer instrument, allowing the surgeon to directly observe the rod's position and reduction progress into the bone anchor. This real-time visual feedback eliminates the need for time-consuming trial-and-error adjustments and confirms proper rod seating immediately, thereby reducing procedural time while maintaining high productivity.
2Ease of operation
If rod reducer instruments are used to provide sufficient force, then the rod can be properly seated, but the procedure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The rod reducer instrument is segmented into distinct functional components: a body portion for engagement with the bone anchor, a rod engagement portion for contacting the rod, and a force application mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while keeping the overall instrument design simple and intuitive, improving ease of operation without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The rod reducer acts as an intermediary instrument between the surgeon's manual force and the rod-bone anchor interface. It provides a mechanical advantage system that translates the surgeon's input force into sufficient reduction force, simplifying the operation by eliminating the need for the surgeon to directly apply complex forces to the small rod-anchor interface.
3Device complexity
If the rod introduction site is not visible, then the procedure is simpler, but proper rod placement cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The rod reducer incorporates transparent or translucent materials in strategic locations, allowing the surgical field and rod position to be visualized through the instrument itself. This optical property provides real-time visual confirmation of rod placement accuracy without adding complex imaging systems or requiring additional surgical exposure, thereby maintaining instrumentation simplicity while ensuring reliable rod placement.
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 threaded rod reducer simplifies the process of seating spinal fixation rods into bone anchors, offering clear visual feedback and reducing the time required for rod reduction, enhancing surgical efficiency and precision.
Implementation Method 1
A rod reducer for reducing a spinal fixation rod into a bone anchor is provided. The rod reducer includes a body, a threaded rod reduction member supported for movement within the body, and a rotatable reduction knob. Rotation of the reduction knob causes axial movement of the rod reduction member.
Data Source
AI summary
A spinal rod reducer for reducing a rod into a rod-receiving opening of a bone anchor comprises an elongate tubular body having a lumen extending therethrough and a pair of spaced flexible anchor attachment members at the distal end of the tubular body. A threaded rod reduction member having a rod contacting surface is supported for axial movement within the lumen. A threaded rotatable reduction knob is threadably engaged with the rod reduction member rotation of which causes the rod reduction member with the rod contacting surface to move axially distally toward the bone anchor. A locking sleeve is configured to axially slide on the tubular body over the attachment members, the locking sleeve including a locking element for releasably coupling the locking sleeve and the rod reduction member for selective independent and joint movement relative to the tubular body.