Dural Tear Shielding for Nerve Root Protection During Suturing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surgical methods for repairing a dural tear are complicated by the presence of nerve roots within the dural sac, which obstructs suturing and increases the risk of damage during surgical repair due to cerebrospinal fluid leakage.

Innovation Solution

A tubular device with a flexible shield section is placed within the dural sac to protect nerve roots and redirect cerebrospinal fluid, facilitating suturing by preventing nerve root intrusion and improving visibility during the repair procedure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If surgical intervention is performed to repair dural tear, then CSF leak is stopped, but nerve roots are at risk of damage due to obstruction by torn area

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverepair effectivenessVSAvoidnerve root injury risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A protective shield is introduced as an intermediary device between the surgical instruments and the nerve roots. The shield is positioned within the dural sac to physically block surgical instruments from contacting and damaging the nerve roots during the repair procedure, while still allowing the surgeon to access and repair the dural tear.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective shield is designed with a tubular section and a shield section that can be inserted through the dural tear. The shield divides the surgical field by creating a protected space around the nerve roots, allowing the surgeon to work on the dural tear without direct exposure to the nerve structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If suturing is performed in torn area, then dural tear is repaired, but presence of CSF makes suturing difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedural repairVSAvoidsuturing difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The protective shield acts as a barrier that redirects cerebrospinal fluid away from the surgical field. By positioning the shield within the dural sac, it creates a physical separation that prevents CSF from pooling in the area where suturing is needed, thereby improving visibility and ease of suturing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If protective shield is placed within dural sac, then nerve roots are protected, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenerve root protectionVSAvoidshield structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protective shield is constructed from flexible materials that allow it to be easily inserted through the dural tear and positioned within the dural sac. The flexibility enables the shield to conform to the anatomical structures while maintaining its protective function, reducing the complexity of insertion and positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS12629143B2Apparatus and method for repair of dural tear

Publication Date: 2026.05.19 CHAP-MED INC

AI summary

The present disclosure relates generally to a device and method for aiding in the repair of a dural tear. According to example embodiments, the device is placed substantially within a dural sac interior to a dural tear. The device provides a shield that prevents the underlying nerve roots (including rootlets) of the spinal cord from intruding into the torn area and prevents them from being injured during the repair procedure. The device also redirects cerebrospinal fluid from the area, which aids the surgeon in viewing the procedure site during suturing and/or repair.