Angled Spinal Inserter Sliding Tip Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal surgery techniques, such as lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF), face challenges in accessing the L4-L5 disc level due to anatomical limitations and the need for angled measurements, which restricts the use of a single angled inserter for both left and right approaches.
Innovation Solution
The development of an angled intervertebral spacer inserter with a sliding tip and adjustable angle, allowing for use with spacers having an off-centered point of connection, enabling both left and right side approaches during LLIF procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single angled inserter is used for both left and right approaches, then the number of instruments is reduced and surgical efficiency is improved, but the instrument must accommodate off-centered connection points which increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The inserter instrument is designed with a universal applicator that can accommodate spacers with off-centered connection points for both left and right surgical approaches. The applicator includes a passage with an angled orientation relative to the longitudinal axis, allowing it to interface with spacers having non-standard connection geometries, thereby eliminating the need for separate instruments for different approaches.
Solution Approach 2:
The inserter employs a sliding mechanism within the applicator that allows dynamic adjustment of the spacer position during insertion. The sliding tip can move along the angled passage to accommodate varying off-center distances, providing adaptability rather than requiring multiple fixed-angle instruments for different anatomical variations.
2Ease of operation
If angled measurements are used to access L4-L5 disc level, then access to the disc space is achieved despite anatomical limitations, but the procedure requires additional measurement steps and time
Solution Approach 1:
The inserter is pre-configured with an angled passage at a predetermined angle relative to the longitudinal axis. This preliminary angular configuration allows the instrument to directly access the L4-L5 disc space through anatomical structures (such as the iliac crest) without requiring intraoperative measurement and adjustment of the approach angle, thereby reducing procedural time.
Solution Approach 2:
The passage in the applicator is designed with a specific angled orientation that changes the insertion trajectory parameter. This fixed angular parameter allows the instrument to bypass anatomical obstacles and reach the target disc level directly, eliminating the need for time-consuming measurement and angle adjustment during the surgical procedure.
Data Source
AI summary
An intervertebral spacer inserter includes a sleeve having a longitudinal axis, a hollow sleeve bore extending through the sleeve along the longitudinal axis, a sleeve tip end and an opening of a passage disposed in the sleeve tip end. The passage extends into the sleeve to the sleeve shaft along a passage axis that intersects the longitudinal axis at an angle less than about 90°. A sliding tip with an elongated slot is in contact with the sleeve tip end and is moveable with respect to the sleeve tip end between a first position with the opening accessible through the elongated slot and disposed adjacent a first end of the elongated slot and a second position with the opening accessible through the elongated slot and disposed adjacent a second end of the elongated slot opposite the first end.