Arcuate Cannula for Postero-Lateral Spinal Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current spinal orthopaedic procedures face challenges in accessing the spine due to the need for lateral or anterior approaches, which require patient repositioning, increased muscle retraction, risk of vascular injury, and longer operating times, leading to complications and prolonged recovery.

Innovation Solution

The use of an arcuate cannula assembly for a postero-lateral approach, which includes a targeting post, guide arm, and penetrating guide member, allowing for minimally invasive dilation and access to the spine, reducing muscle retraction, blood loss, and vascular damage, while enabling unimpeded access for various spinal procedures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a lateral or anterior approach is used to access the spine, then surgical access is achieved, but patient repositioning is required and operating time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical accessVSAvoidoperating time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by using a postero-lateral entry point instead of lateral or anterior approaches. The arcuate cannula is inserted from the postero-lateral aspect and curves anteriorly to reach the intervertebral disc space, eliminating the need for patient repositioning and reducing operating time while maintaining surgical access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The arcuate cannula features a curved configuration that allows it to navigate from the postero-lateral entry point to the anterior intervertebral disc space. This curvature enables the instrument to follow the natural anatomical pathways, providing unimpeded access without requiring patient repositioning or increasing operating time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Ease of operation

If a lateral or anterior approach is used to access the spine, then surgical access is achieved, but muscle retraction increases causing tissue damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical accessVSAvoidtissue damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The postero-lateral approach inverts the conventional lateral or anterior entry points, allowing the arcuate cannula to approach the intervertebral disc space from a different trajectory. This alternative pathway avoids the need for extensive muscle retraction, reducing tissue damage while maintaining effective surgical access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The curved arcuate cannula navigates through tissue planes that minimize muscle disruption. The arcuate path allows the instrument to reach the target site through a trajectory that avoids major muscle groups, thereby reducing retraction forces and associated tissue damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Ease of operation

If a lateral or anterior approach is used to access the spine, then surgical access is achieved, but risk of vascular injury increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical accessVSAvoidvascular injury risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The postero-lateral approach inverts the conventional entry points, positioning the surgical trajectory away from major vascular structures. By approaching from the postero-lateral aspect and curving anteriorly, the arcuate cannula avoids the vascular anatomy typically encountered in lateral and anterior approaches, thereby reducing vascular injury risk while maintaining surgical access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Ease of operation

If conventional approaches are used to access the spine, then surgical procedures can be performed, but patient recovery is prolonged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical procedure capabilityVSAvoidrecovery time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The postero-lateral approach with arcuate cannula inverts conventional surgical pathways, enabling minimally invasive access to the intervertebral disc space. This approach preserves surrounding tissues and structures, leading to reduced postoperative pain and faster patient recovery while maintaining the ability to perform all necessary spinal procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The curved arcuate cannula provides minimally invasive access by following natural anatomical contours, reducing tissue disruption. This minimally invasive approach correlates with reduced surgical trauma, less postoperative pain, and accelerated patient recovery compared to conventional open approaches.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentUS8840621B2Spinal access systems and methods

Publication Date: 2014.09.23 INNOVATIVE SPINE LLC

AI summary

A system for accessing a spine from a curved postero-lateral approach may include a curved cannula positioned along a curved path from an opening in the skin to a location proximate the spine. The location may be at the L4-L5 vertebral level, and the curved path may lie in a plane oblique to the transverse, coronal and sagittal planes of the spine, and avoid the iliac crest. A targeting post may be inserted adjacent the spine to determine the location, and a guide member may be inserted to establish the curved path. A micrometer assembly may adjust a cephalad-caudal displacement between the post and the guide member. One or more intermediate cannulas may be inserted over the guide member to dilate tissues prior to insertion of the main cannula. An interbody device may be implanted into an intervertebral space through the cannula.