Vertebra Carving Chisel for Precise Anchor Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
The precise placement of small anchors in vertebrae during surgical interventions for intervertebral disc repair is challenging, leading to potential incorrect placement and unnecessary wear on the vertebrae, making it difficult to secure the prosthesis correctly.
Innovation Solution
An anchor placement tool with a chisel and rotatable handle system that includes a cutting mouth with guiding perforations and a flexible rod for precise carving and screwing of the anchor into the vertebra, ensuring proper positioning and secure anchoring for subsequent prosthesis coupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional chisels are used to carve vertebrae for anchor placement, then the vertebra can be carved to expose the anchor fixation area, but the anchor placement precision deteriorates due to the small size of anchors making it difficult to ensure proper placement
Solution Approach 1:
The chisel is segmented into modular components: a handle portion, a shaft, and a working end with the cutting mouth. This segmentation allows for precise positioning mechanisms to be integrated into specific parts of the tool while maintaining the overall carving functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
A positioning mechanism acts as an intermediary between the surgeon's control and the anchor placement. This mechanism includes features like guide holes, alignment marks, or mechanical stops that mediate the transfer of positioning information from the tool to the anchor, ensuring accurate placement despite the small anchor size.
2Reliability
If multiple screwing attempts are carried out to place the anchor, then the anchor may eventually be secured, but unnecessary wear on the vertebra increases
Solution Approach 1:
The chisel performs preliminary actions by precisely carving and preparing the anchor reception area before anchor insertion. The cutting mouth creates a pre-formed cavity or guide path that ensures the anchor will fit correctly on the first attempt, eliminating the need for multiple screwing attempts and the associated vertebra wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The design replaces repeated mechanical screwing attempts with a single precise insertion action. The chisel's cutting mouth is designed to create a receptacle that mechanically guides the anchor into its final position, substituting the need for multiple corrective screwing operations with a single well-prepared insertion.
3Strength
If the anchor is inserted sufficiently to be correctly secured, then the anchor can be firmly attached to the vertebra, but it becomes difficult to determine the correct insertion depth without excessive insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The chisel incorporates feedback mechanisms such as visual indicators (colored bands, markers), tactile feedback (clicks, resistance changes), or measurement marks that provide real-time information to the surgeon about anchor insertion depth. This feedback allows precise determination of the correct insertion depth without excessive insertion, ensuring proper anchor securing.
Solution Approach 2:
The design replaces complex measurement systems with simpler mechanical or visual indicators integrated into the chisel or anchor assembly. For example, the chisel may have measurement marks or the anchor may have visible indicators that show when the correct insertion depth is reached, eliminating the need for complex external measurement 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 tool facilitates accurate and secure placement of anchors in vertebrae, reducing unnecessary wear and ensuring correct positioning for proper prosthesis installation, thereby enhancing the success rate of surgical interventions.
Implementation Method 1
a chisel (103) configured to carve a vertebra with a hammer blow in a carving direction
Implementation Method 2
The handle (104) is adapted for receiving the hammer blows and transmitting them to the cutting mouth
Implementation Method 3
screwing means (109) at the end thereof adapted for screwing an anchor, the rod being adapted for being inserted into the conduit and for advancing in the conduit by rotating the rotatable handle portion
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are tools and devices for use in repairing an intervertebral disc. The devices include an anchor configured to be secured in a vertebra adjacent the intervertebral disc and a prosthesis having an active part that is configured for placement inside the nucleus of the disc. The tools include an anchor placement tool that includes a chisel for carving the vertebra and a rotatable part that is used for engaging with and screwing the anchor into the vertebra. The tools also include a prosthesis placement tool that is configured to support and facilitate an attachment of the prosthesis to the anchor and to deploy the active part of the prosthesis in the nucleus of the disc. According to one embodiment the prosthesis placement tool is equipped with electronics for the purpose of verifying a corrected attachment of the prosthesis to the anchor. According to other embodiments, the electronics are included in a separate checker tool.