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Design of Minimally Invasive Spinal Rods Cutters

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Project Overview

Spinal deformity surgery is common in pediatric orthopedics. Often cobalt chrome, stainless steel, or titanium rods in 4.0-6.0 mm diameters are used to correct the deformity and hold the correction. Often the relative length of the rod needed for the deformity correction can be difficult to get precisely correct prior to implanting the devices. Occasionally these need to be recontoured once they are placed. Currently very large "rod benders" exist, but fitting these devices into the proximal or distal ends of the surgical wound can be difficult. Similarly if the rod is too long following insertion, they can be cut, but again using current cutting devices can be very difficult. This project involves designing a rod cutter and or rod bender that can be placed easily into the wound.

Team Picture

Team members from left to right: Tyler Safgren, Gavin Dillavou-Brown, Madeline Honke, Colin Schrof, Ql Cheng
Team members from left to right: Tyler Safgren, Gavin Dillavou-Brown, Madeline Honke, Colin Schrof, Ql Cheng

Contact Information

Team Members

  • Madeline Honke - Team Leader
  • Gavin Dillavou-Brown - Communicator
  • Qi Cheng - BSAC
  • Tyler Safgren - BWIG
  • Colin Schrof - BPAG

Advisor and Client

  • Prof. Randolph Ashton - Advisor
  • Dr. Matthew Halanski - Client

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