Bendable Cannula for Minimally Invasive Spinal Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical methods for treating vertebral disc herniation and vertebral compression fractures are invasive, risking neurovascular complications and requiring extensive dissection, while existing minimally invasive procedures like vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty have limitations in accessing and treating spinal structures effectively.
Innovation Solution
A cannula system with a curved and straight configuration, along with a stylet that can change configurations, allows for minimally invasive access and tissue removal in the spine region, enabling precise penetration and removal of disc material or vertebral body tissue without extensive dissection, using a tissue removal device with a rotatable shaft and helical elements for efficient tissue management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If open surgical procedures are used to treat disc herniation, then adequate surgical exposure is achieved, but extensive dissection of muscle, connective tissue and bone is required, increasing invasiveness and risk of complications
Solution Approach 1:
The procedure segments the surgical approach into distinct phases: first creating a hemilaminectomy for initial access, then using a staged technique where a first instrument establishes a tract and a second instrument follows through the established path. This segmentation allows adequate exposure of the disc herniation while minimizing the need for extensive dissection of surrounding structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The first instrument performs preliminary action by creating an initial surgical tract through the lamina and establishing access to the disc space before the second instrument is introduced. This preliminary tract creation allows subsequent instruments to follow the same path, reducing the need for repeated dissection and minimizing tissue trauma.
2Ease of operation
If lamina removal is performed to access the affected disc, then sufficient access is achieved, but spine stability is compromised post-surgery
Solution Approach 1:
The procedure applies local quality by performing a hemilaminectomy (removal of only one side of the lamina) rather than complete laminectomy, providing sufficient access to the affected disc while preserving the integrity and stability of the contralateral side of the spine. The surgical tract is localized to the specific area of herniation, minimizing impact on overall spinal stability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If conservative therapy is used for disc herniation, then non-invasive treatment is provided, but it fails to resolve structural symptoms requiring surgery
Solution Approach 1:
The procedure applies partial action by performing a hemilaminectomy (partial laminectomy) rather than complete laminectomy, and by using a staged instrument insertion approach where only the necessary portions of the disc are addressed. This provides effective structural treatment while maintaining minimal invasiveness, bridging the gap between conservative and aggressive surgical approaches.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty is used for vertebral compression fractures, then minimally invasive treatment is provided, but effective access and treatment of spinal structures is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The procedure segments the access approach into a two-stage process: first creating a controlled surgical tract through hemilaminectomy and initial instrument insertion, then introducing subsequent instruments through the established tract. This segmented approach enables effective access to spinal structures for disc herniation treatment while maintaining minimally invasive characteristics similar to vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for minimally invasive discectomy procedures are described herein. The systems include a bendable flexible cannula may have a straight configuration suitable for insertion and withdrawal into spinal tissue, and a curved configuration suitable for accessing certain areas of a vertebral disc that may be difficult to reach in the straight configuration. A cannula is straightened by inserting a straight stylet therethrough. The straight stylet may have a deflectable region that facilitates its insertion into the cannula. Removal of a straight stylet from a cannula may allow the cannula to assume its curved configuration. The systems may be used with tissue removal devices, and certain variations of tissue removal devices may include a collector for aspiration, as well as a travel limiter to restrict inadvertent motions of the tissue removal devices within a vertebral structure.