Dynamic Expanding Cannula for Minimizing Spinal Tissue Trauma
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cannulas for accessing the spinal disc space face challenges such as infection, blood loss, nerve damage, and ergonomic issues like complex assembly and heavy components, which complicate the insertion and expansion of spinal implants.
Innovation Solution
A dynamically expanding cannula with a sandwich-style construction, featuring a rigid slide member and a flexible expansion member, allows for easy assembly and minimizes tissue trauma by expanding only when necessary for implant insertion, and can be easily disassembled without requiring excessive strength or tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a traditional rigid cannula is used for accessing the spinal disc space, then the implant can be inserted, but excessive trauma and damage is caused to surrounding tissues and nerves during insertion and expansion
Solution Approach 1:
The cannula transitions from a rigid static structure to a dynamic structure with a flexible expansion member that can be dynamically adjusted. The expansion member is pushed forward by the implant to dynamically expand the pathway, allowing the cannula to adapt its rigidity and pathway size during different stages of the procedure - rigid during insertion for precision, flexible during expansion to accommodate the implant, and then rigid again for removal.
2Reliability
If a complex assembly structure is used to ensure cannula stability, then the cannula can maintain structural integrity, but the assembly becomes difficult and time-consuming with heavy components
Solution Approach 1:
The cannula is divided into distinct functional segments: a rigid slide member for insertion and removal, a flexible expansion member for pathway expansion, and a backing assembly for structural support. These segments can be independently manufactured and assembled, simplifying the overall assembly process while maintaining the reliability needed for surgical stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible expansion member is nested within the rigid slide member, and the backing assembly provides external support. This nested configuration allows the components to be compact during insertion and then expand to provide the necessary pathway for the implant, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining structural integrity.
3Strength
If excessive strength is required to assemble the cannula components, then the cannula can be securely assembled, but the assembly process becomes difficult and requires excessive strength or special tools
Solution Approach 1:
The components are designed with pre-configured engagement features such as tapered surfaces and locking mechanisms that guide the assembly process. The slide member and expansion member are pre-shaped to fit together, and the backing assembly is pre-positioned to provide support, allowing secure assembly without requiring excessive force or special tools during the actual assembly operation.
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
The cannula facilitates safe and efficient implantation of spinal implants by reducing trauma to surrounding tissues and nerves, while simplifying the assembly process and eliminating the need for heavy components or slide hammers.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible expansion member can be displaced by an implant to dynamically open a pathway through which the implant travels to the disc space
Data Source
AI summary
The invention involves a cannula suitable for the implantation of intervertebral implants into the spine area of an animal, particularly humans. The first end of the dynamically expanding cannula includes a rectangular or oval shaped cannula portion formed from a sandwich style assembly. The second end of the dynamically expanding cannula includes a connection assembly for securing the sandwich construction together. Once inserted, a backing assembly can be removed and a flexible expansion member can be displaced by an implant while a slide guides the implant to create a dynamic opening through which the implant travels to the disc space. A lever is supplied as a portion of the expansion assembly for removing the expansion member after insertion of an intervertebral implant.