Work/Description
Abstract/
Create a minimally invasive diagnostic device to assess the extent of intervertebral disc damage and determine the source of back pain.
Challenge/
Stryker Instrument's Interventional Pain Division approached Design Concepts to design a disposable, sterile, digital discography tool.
The tool needed to be able to measure pressure, and volume of the diagnostic fluid injected into the patient's discs and allow the
physician the ability to test multiple discs in one procedure.
Solution/
Design Concept's team of electrical and mechanical engineers developed a device able to accurately measure pressure
of the injected fluid up to 120 psi. The screw driven syringe provides the physician with tactile feedback and fine
control. In addition to pressure, this device is the first in its field to also measure the volume injected.
All of the information gathered during a procedure is automatically displayed on an LCD screen and stored, giving the
physician immediate feedback of essential information. Data for each disc (up to 6 discs) can be recalled on the LCD
screen by the physician during the procedure. The physician may print a comprehensive report using a wireless infrared
communication system between the unit and the printer. Extensive FMEA documentation and tolerance stack-ups conducted
by Design Concepts engineers provided essential information for the FDA application process.
Results/
The tool gives extensive, objective information that improves the accuracy of the diagnosis. The Stryker DiscmonitorTM
Discography Device received FDA approval and is on the market today.
