Curved Cannula Access for Precise Basivertebral Nerve Ablation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods struggle to accurately and predictably navigate treatment devices through varying bone densities, particularly in accessing the posterior midline section of vertebral bodies, due to deviations in tissue density and material strength, leading to inaccurate placement and ineffective tissue aspiration.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a deployable curved Nitinol tube and a cannula with a deflectable tip that creates a preformed curve, allowing a treatment device to navigate through cancellous bone with precision, supported by a flexible element that deploys in a linear direction towards the target zone, and a kit of cannulas with varying preformed curvatures for different bone densities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a straight linear access route is used to place a probe in the vertebral body, then the placement path is simple, but it is difficult to reach the posterior midline section of the vertebra and positioning accuracy is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a curved cannula with a preformed curve to create a curved access path through the bone, enabling the probe to reach the posterior midline section of the vertebral body that cannot be accessed by a straight linear route. The curved geometry allows navigation around anatomical obstacles while maintaining precise target placement.
Solution Approach 2:
The access system is divided into multiple components: a guide needle for initial puncture, a curved cannula for creating the curved path, and a stylet for supporting the curved configuration. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while working together to achieve accurate probe placement.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid needle is used for tissue aspiration, then the needle maintains its shape, but it deviates from the linear path due to varying tissue density and material strength
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes a flexible stylet with a preformed curve that can bend and conform to the curved cannula path while maintaining its structural integrity. This flexibility allows the stylet to navigate the curved access route without breaking, while the preformed curve ensures it follows the intended path through varying tissue densities.
Solution Approach 2:
The curved cannula acts as an intermediary structure that guides the flexible stylet along a predetermined curved path. The cannula's curved geometry mediates between the straight insertion approach and the need to reach posterior targets, ensuring the stylet follows the correct trajectory despite tissue variability.
3Productivity
If a side exiting coaxial needle is used for multiple aspirations, then multiple biopsies can be taken, but the needle deviates from linear direction depending on tissue density
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible stylet with preformed curve can bend to follow the curved cannula path while maintaining its configuration, enabling multiple aspirations along the curved trajectory. The flexibility allows the stylet to conform to the curved path without deviating, ensuring consistent sampling locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The curved cannula and preformed curve stylet create a controlled curved path for multiple aspirations. This curved geometry allows the needle to access multiple sampling sites along the curve while maintaining a predictable trajectory, unlike rigid needles that deviate unpredictably in varying tissue densities.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables predictable and accurate deployment of treatment devices to target zones within bone, regardless of varying cancellous bone density, ensuring precise treatment delivery and effective denervation of structures like the basivertebral nerve.
Implementation Method 1
The cannula has a deflectable tip with a preformed curve such that the tip straightens while being delivered through the trocar and regains its preformed curve upon exiting and extending past the distal opening of the trocar
Implementation Method 2
A system utilizing a deployable curved Nitinol tube and a cannula with a deflectable tip that creates a preformed curve
Data Source
AI summary
Methods of ablating a basivertebral nerve (BVN) in a lumbar or sacral vertebral body of a patient. An introducer and one or more instruments are selected after a pre-surgical evaluation. The introducer has a handle coupled to a shaft defining a central channel and an opening at a distal tip thereof. The introducer is inserted through a pedicle of the vertebral body such that its opening reaches a cancellous portion of the vertebral body. The one or more instruments are delivered through the central channel. A distal deflectable section of the one or more instruments is advanced past the introducer's opening to position it proximate to the BVN in a posterior midline section of the vertebral body. An active element is extended relative to at least a portion of the one or more instruments. Energy is delivered to the active element to ablate at least a portion of the BVN.