Anchor Insertion Instrument for Annular Defect Approximation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional orthopaedic surgical procedures, such as lumbar microdiscectomy, face challenges in addressing annular defects, where the standard technique does not close the defect, leading to potential reherniation and increased risk of post-operative complications like disc height collapse and lower back pain.

Innovation Solution

An insertion instrument is configured to eject anchors with expandable portions that can be actuated to approximate anatomical defects, using a connector member to apply tension and secure the anchors in place, thereby approximating the defect and preventing further separation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the standard microdiscectomy technique is used without closing the annular defect, then the surgical procedure is simple and quick, but the risk of post-operative reherniation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical procedure efficiencyVSAvoidrisk of reherniation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The annular defect is addressed by inserting multiple separate anchors (typically two anchors) at different locations within the defect rather than using a single closure method. This segmentation allows targeted reinforcement of the annulus at critical points while maintaining surgical efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The anchors are pre-loaded into the insertion instrument before the surgical procedure begins. The insertion instrument is prepared with the anchors in a compressed state, allowing for rapid deployment into the annular defect without requiring additional preparation steps during surgery, thus maintaining procedural efficiency while ensuring reliable closure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If extensive debulking is performed to minimize reherniation risk, then the risk of reherniation decreases, but the risk of disc height collapse and lower back pain increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereherniation preventionVSAvoiddisc height collapse and lower back pain

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention converts the harmful effect of the annular defect (which causes reherniation) into a beneficial outcome by using the defect itself as the insertion site for anchors. The anchors are inserted through the defect and expand within it, transforming the weakness into a reinforcement point. This allows the surgeon to preserve more nucleus material (avoiding disc height collapse) while still preventing reherniation through anchor-mediated closure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The anchors undergo a parameter change from a compressed low-volume state during insertion to an expanded high-volume state after deployment. This parameter change allows the anchors to occupy space within the annular defect, providing structural support and closure without requiring extensive removal of nucleus material, thereby preventing both reherniation and disc height collapse

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If anchors with expandable portions are used to approximate anatomical defects, then the defect approximation effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedefect approximation effectivenessVSAvoidanchor and insertion instrument complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The expandable anchor is nested within the insertion instrument during storage and transport. The anchor's expandable portions are collapsed and contained within a delivery catheter or housing, allowing the complex anchor structure to be delivered through a minimally invasive access path. Upon deployment, the anchor expands from its nested state to its functional state, achieving precise defect approximation without requiring the instrument itself to be equally complex

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The anchor transitions from a static compressed configuration during insertion to a dynamic expanded configuration after deployment. This dynamic transformation allows the anchor to adapt to the specific geometry of the annular defect, improving approximation effectiveness. The expandable portions can be actuated to different degrees of expansion to match the specific requirements of each defect, providing versatility without requiring multiple different anchor designs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11779318B2Insertion instrument for anchor assembly

Publication Date: 2023.10.10 DEPUY SYNTHES PROD INC

AI summary

An insertion instrument is configured to eject at least one anchor body into respective target locations, and subsequently apply a predetermined tensile force at least one actuation member of the at least one anchor member so as to actuate the at least one anchor body from a first configuration to a second expanded configuration. The insertion instrument can include a tension assembly that applies the predetermined tensile force to the at least one actuation member. The predetermined tensile force can be defined by a distance of travel, a predetermined failure force of a fuse, or a combination of distance of travel and a predetermined failure force of a fuse.