Reciprocating Vertebral Scraper for Osteophyte Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
The preparation of the disc space for intervertebral fixation is hindered by osteophytes, which are difficult to remove accurately and efficiently using existing methods, leading to challenges in selecting the appropriate implant size for lateral fixation assemblies.
Innovation Solution
A scraper system is introduced, comprising a body with a scraping surface and a reciprocation mechanism, designed to fit over a guide shaft and reciprocate through a limited sweep range to remove osteophytes from vertebral bodies, featuring cam surfaces, abrasion patterns, and an anti-rotation feature to facilitate precise removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a chisel is used to remove osteophytes, then osteophyte removal can be achieved, but the procedure becomes time consuming and it is difficult to control the amount of bone removed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual chisel-based mechanical removal system with a powered reciprocating scraper mechanism. The scraper is driven by a reciprocating motor that automates the bone removal process, eliminating the need for manual chiseling operations and significantly reducing procedure time while maintaining controlled bone removal through the guided reciprocating motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a dynamic reciprocating motion system where the scraper moves back and forth along the vertebral body surface under motor control. This dynamic mechanism allows for consistent, controlled bone removal at a predetermined distance from the disc space, providing both efficiency and precision that static manual tools cannot achieve.
2Manufacturing precision
If a chisel is used to remove osteophytes, then osteophyte removal can be achieved, but it is difficult to control the amount of bone removed
Solution Approach 1:
The reciprocating scraper system incorporates controlled feedback through its motor-driven mechanism, which maintains a consistent predetermined distance from the disc space during operation. The system's guided motion and controlled reciprocation provide inherent feedback that ensures precise bone removal without requiring complex manual control, thereby improving precision while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The scraper system performs self-controlled bone removal through its automated reciprocating mechanism. The predetermined distance from the disc space is maintained by the system's own guided motion and mechanical constraints, eliminating the need for constant manual adjustment and control by the operator, thus achieving precise bone removal with ease of operation.
3Reliability
If multiple screws are used for fixation, then fixation stability is improved, but implant insertion accuracy is inhibited by osteophytes
Solution Approach 1:
The reciprocating scraper is used to perform preliminary bone removal before implant insertion. By removing osteophytes in advance and creating a clean, prepared vertebral body surface at a predetermined distance from the disc space, the system ensures that subsequent implant sizing and insertion can be performed with full accuracy, eliminating the obstructive effect of osteophytes on measurement precision while maintaining fixation stability.
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 scraper system effectively removes osteophytes, allowing for more accurate preparation of the disc space and improved implant sizing, reducing the time and complexity associated with osteophyte removal.
Implementation Method 1
The scraper includes a body, scraping surface and reciprocation mechanism. The reciprocation mechanism is configured to reciprocate the body and the scraping surface through a limited sweep range to remove material from the vertebral bodies.
Data Source
AI summary
A trialing and preparation system for preparing a disc space between two adjacent vertebrae is provided. The system includes a guide shaft, a trialing cage or spacer, a scraper and a driving shaft. The guide shaft supports the trialing spacer within the disc space and may include an angular adjustment for such access. The scraper sleeves over the guide shaft into an abutting relationship with the adjacent vertebrae. The driving shaft is coupled to the scraper by a pivoting and reciprocation mechanism that allows angular adjustment of the scraper. Also, reciprocation of the driving shaft reciprocates the scraper through a limited sweep of motion to remove osteophytes from the vertebrae.