Arc-shaped puncture needle guide for spine insertion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for inserting a spacer between spinous processes to treat lumbar spinal canal stenosis are invasive and require significant muscle and ligament incision, with arc-shaped needles facing challenges in force transmission and skin deformation, making precise insertion difficult.
Innovation Solution
A puncture assisting tool with an arc-shaped needle and a guide unit that matches the curvature of the needle, allowing for accurate force transmission and adjustable insertion depth, along with a connection device that rotates around the center of curvature for smooth insertion, and a pressing member to suppress skin deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an arc-shaped needle is used to insert the spacer between spinous processes, then the needle can follow the natural curvature of the spine, but the force from the proximal end cannot be transmitted to the distal end due to skin deformation and repulsive forces
Solution Approach 1:
The needle is divided into multiple segments that can rotate relative to each other around a common axis. This segmentation allows the needle to bend and follow the arc-shaped trajectory while maintaining force transmission through the segmented structure, resolving the contradiction between ease of insertion and force transmission reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The needle is designed with an arc-shaped curvature that matches the natural curvature of the spine. This curvature allows the needle to follow the natural anatomical path, reducing resistance and improving ease of insertion while the segmented structure maintains force transmission capability.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the needle is inserted percutaneously to reduce invasion, then hospitalization time is reduced, but precise placement becomes difficult due to skin deformation and repulsive forces
Solution Approach 1:
The needle incorporates dynamic elements that allow it to adjust its shape and orientation during insertion. The segmented structure can rotate and adapt to the arc-shaped trajectory, enabling precise placement while maintaining percutaneous insertion benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
A guide structure serves as an intermediary that directs the needle along the correct arc-shaped path. This guide ensures precise placement by constraining the needle's movement trajectory, while the needle itself remains flexible enough to follow the curved path percutaneously.
3Device complexity
If a straight needle is used for simple insertion, then the structure is simple, but it cannot follow the arc-shaped trajectory of the spine
Solution Approach 1:
The needle is segmented into multiple sections that can rotate relative to each other, allowing the simple segmented structure to follow complex arc-shaped trajectories. This segmentation provides the flexibility needed for trajectory following while keeping each individual segment relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The needle is designed with an inherent arc-shaped curvature that matches the spine's natural trajectory. This curvature allows the needle to follow the required path without complex control mechanisms, maintaining structural simplicity while achieving the needed operational capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A puncture assisting tool for assisting in a puncturing operation by a puncture tool that is used to insert and place a spacer between bones and includes an arc-shaped needle includes a base section configured to be in contact with a skin of a patient; and a guide unit configured to be fixed with respect to the base section. The guide unit has a curvature that is approximately the same as a curvature of an arc shape of the puncture tool. The guide unit is configured such that an outer arc-shaped surface of the puncture tool can be placed in contact with the guide unit to guide the puncture tool in an arc trajectory while the puncture tool is being inserted into the patient.