Anchor Extender System for Minimally Invasive Bone Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bone stabilization techniques require tissue cutting and repositioning, leading to trauma, scarring, infection risks, and prolonged recovery times, especially in minimally invasive surgeries where tissue disruption is undesirable.
Innovation Solution
The development of an anchor extender system with pivotable engaging members and a locking mechanism that allows for minimally invasive placement of bone anchors and connecting elements, enabling stabilization of bony structures through minimal tissue disruption by using an inserter instrument to rotate the connecting element away from the longitudinal axis for placement adjacent to bone anchors through the same incision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional bone stabilization techniques are used, then reliable bone stabilization can be achieved, but significant tissue trauma, scarring, and prolonged recovery time occur
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical system is divided into separate modular components: an anchor extender with engaging members for bone anchors, and a connecting element inserter for placing connecting elements. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while enabling minimally invasive placement through small incisions, reducing tissue trauma compared to traditional open stabilization techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor extender acts as an intermediary device that facilitates the placement of bone anchors and connecting elements through minimal tissue disruption. The engaging members provide a controlled interface for securing bone anchors, while the inserter instrument enables precise delivery of connecting elements through the same small incisions, thereby stabilizing bone structures without requiring extensive tissue cutting and repositioning.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If minimally invasive techniques are used, then tissue trauma and recovery time are reduced, but access to deep body locations becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a nested configuration where the connecting element is delivered through the anchor extender, which itself is positioned through a small incision. The inserter instrument nests within the anchor extender structure, allowing the connecting element to be transported through the same minimal access point to deep bone locations, thereby maintaining ease of operation while minimizing tissue disruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor extender incorporates pivotable engaging members that can dynamically adjust between open and closed configurations. This dynamic mechanism allows the engaging members to be opened for inserting bone anchors through the small incision, then closed to secure the anchors while maintaining a compact profile that fits through minimal access points, thereby facilitating access to deep locations without excessive tissue disruption.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple incisions are made for anchor and connecting element placement, then precise positioning is achieved, but surgical complexity and recovery time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor extender serves multiple functions: it provides a platform for inserting bone anchors, delivers connecting elements through the same incision, and facilitates positioning of both components. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate incisions for anchor and connecting element placement, thereby achieving precise positioning while reducing surgical procedure complexity and recovery time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the functions of anchor placement and connecting element insertion into a single surgical approach through the same small incision. The anchor extender and inserter instrument work together as an integrated system, combining what would traditionally require separate surgical steps into one unified procedure, thereby reducing overall surgical complexity while maintaining positioning precision.
Data Source
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AI summary
One nonlimiting embodiment of the present application is directed to a system for positioning a connecting element adjacent one or more bones or bony portions, such as the spinal column, through a minimally invasive surgical approach. The system generally includes a number of bone anchors engageable to the one or more bones or bony portions and a number of anchor extenders removably engaged to the bone anchors. A connecting element inserter instrument is engageable with one of the anchor extenders and is movable along a longitudinal axis of the anchor extender. As the inserter instrument is moved along the longitudinal axis toward the bone anchors, a leading end of the connecting element is rotated away from the longitudinal axis and the connecting element is positioned at a location adjacent the number of bone anchors in a minimally invasive surgical procedure. However, in other embodiments, different forms and applications are envisioned.