Deflectable Cannula Curved Bone Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current techniques for accessing the posterior midline section of the vertebral body, particularly in the S1 segment of the spine, face challenges due to varying bone densities, making it difficult to navigate probes accurately and predictably, and existing coaxial needle systems often result in non-diagnostic blood aspiration rather than targeted tissue sampling.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing a deployable curved Nitinol tube and a deflectable cannula with a preformed curve to create a predictable curved path within bone, allowing a flexible treatment instrument to navigate through varying cancellous bone densities and maintain a linear trajectory towards the target zone, ensuring accurate deployment of treatment devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a straight linear access route is used to access the vertebral body, then the surgical procedure is simple, but it is difficult to access the posterior midline section of the vertebral body, particularly in the S1 segment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a deflectable cannula with a preformed curve that can be deployed to create a curved access path through the bone. This curved configuration enables the treatment instrument to reach the posterior midline section of the vertebral body, particularly the S1 segment, which is inaccessible via straight linear routes. The curve allows navigation around anatomical obstacles while maintaining minimally invasive access.
Solution Approach 2:
The cannula is designed with a deflectable tip that can change its configuration from straight to curved during the procedure. This dynamic adaptability allows the same instrument to provide both simple straight access when needed and curved access to difficult-to-reach areas, resolving the contradiction between procedural simplicity and access versatility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a probe is used to navigate through varying densities of bone, then treatment device placement is possible, but it is difficult to ensure accurate and predictable positioning in the posterior midline section of the vertebral body
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes a preformed curve with specific geometric parameters that compensate for variations in bone density. The predetermined curvature and dimensions of the deflectable cannula ensure that the treatment instrument follows a predictable path regardless of the cancellous bone density encountered, maintaining positioning accuracy in the posterior midline section.
Solution Approach 2:
The cannula is pre-configured with a specific curve before insertion. This preliminary configuration ensures that once deployed, the instrument will naturally follow the predetermined curved path to the target location, eliminating the need for real-time adjustments and ensuring accurate positioning despite variations in bone density during navigation.
3Productivity
If a coaxial needle system is used for tissue aspiration, then multiple aspirates can be taken through a guide needle, but subsequent passes tend to follow the same path yielding only blood not diagnostic cells
Solution Approach 1:
The deflectable cannula with its preformed curve enables the aspiration needle to follow a curved path through the tissue, allowing multiple passes to access different regions of the lesion. This curved trajectory prevents subsequent needles from following the exact same path as previous ones, increasing the likelihood of obtaining diagnostic cellular samples rather than just blood.
Solution Approach 2:
The curved path introduced by the deflectable cannula adds a spatial dimension to the aspiration process. Instead of multiple needles following a single linear path, the system utilizes a three-dimensional curved trajectory, allowing samples to be taken from different locations within the lesion and improving diagnostic yield.
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 the precise and predictable navigation of treatment instruments through curved paths in bone, regardless of cancellous bone density, ensuring accurate placement and minimizing deviation, thereby improving the effectiveness of treatments such as denervation of the basivertebral nerve.
Implementation Method 1
A system and method utilizing a deployable curved Nitinol tube and a deflectable cannula with a preformed curve to create a predictable curved path within bone
Data Source
AI summary
System and methods for channeling a path into bone include a trocar having a proximal end, distal end and a central channel disposed along a central axis of the trocar. The trocar includes a distal opening at the distal end of the trocar. The system includes a curved cannula sized to be received in the central channel, the curved cannula comprising a curved distal end configured to be extended outward from the distal opening to generate a curved path extending away from the trocar. The curved cannula has a central passageway having a diameter configured to allow a treatment device to be delivered through the central passageway to a location beyond the curved path.