Expandable Discectomy Shaver Heads for Faster Disc Space Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spinal fusion procedures face challenges in adequately cleaning the disc space due to inefficiencies in removing disc material, which increases the risk of unsuccessful fusion and complications, and the process is time-consuming and risky for surgeons.
Innovation Solution
A discectomy tool with rotatable and expandable shaver heads that can be detached and left in the disc space, providing a dual function of clearing disc material and serving as an interbody fusion implant, reducing the need for multiple instruments and simplifying the procedure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If simple mechanical tools (scrapers, curettes, shavers) are used to remove disc material, then the procedure is easier to operate, but it is time intensive and requires multiple passes through delicate neural structures
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the single scraping action into multiple simultaneous scraping surfaces (first and second shaver heads) that work in parallel, allowing the surgeon to remove disc material more efficiently in fewer passes through the neural structures
Solution Approach 2:
The shaver heads are made rotatable relative to each other, enabling dynamic adjustment of the scraping motion to access different portions of the disc space and improve clearance efficiency while maintaining safety through controlled movement
2Productivity
If suction devices (Oroborus, J&J) or drill tips (Midas rex) are used to clean the disc space, then the cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the devices are costly and difficult for the surgeon to master
Solution Approach 1:
The device extracts and eliminates complex mechanisms (suction systems, drill motors) in favor of simple manual scraping shaver heads that can be easily controlled by the surgeon while achieving effective disc material removal through mechanical action
Solution Approach 2:
The shaver heads are designed as simple, inexpensive, disposable components that can be easily replaced if needed, eliminating the need for expensive, complex, and difficult-to-master devices while maintaining effective cleaning capability
3Productivity
If multidirectional scrapers (orbit system from Benvenue) are used to clean the disc space, then the cleaning coverage is improved, but they are very costly and difficult for the surgeon to master
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the scraping function into two separate rotatable shaver heads that can independently clear different portions of the disc space, achieving comprehensive cleaning coverage while maintaining simplicity and ease of operation through divided functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable shaver heads provide dynamic cleaning coverage by rotating to access different portions of the disc space, achieving multidirectional cleaning capability without the complexity and difficulty of mastering sophisticated multidirectional scraper systems
4Ease of manufacture
If a separate delivery instrument is inserted after removing the material removal tool, then the implant can be delivered into the disc space, but this adds time and complications to the procedure
Solution Approach 1:
The device merges the disc space clearance function and implant delivery function into a single integrated instrument, eliminating the need for separate tools and reducing surgical time by performing both functions with one device
Solution Approach 2:
The shaver heads serve dual purposes: first as scraping elements to remove disc material, and second as implant delivery vehicles, providing universal functionality that simplifies the surgical procedure and reduces the number of instruments needed
5Adaptability or versatility
If the shaver heads are made expandable, then the distance between shaver heads can be increased to affect relative movement, but this adds complexity to the device structure
Solution Approach 1:
The expandable mechanism allows the shaver heads to dynamically adjust their distance apart, adapting to different disc space configurations and improving versatility while using a relatively simple expansion mechanism that does not significantly increase overall device complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A discectomy device for clearing material out of a disc space of a patient having a body, a first rotatable member at the distal portion of the body, and a second rotatable member at the distal portion of the body spaced from the first rotatable member. A transverse axis passes through the first and second rotatable members. A first mechanism is actuable to rotate the first and second rotatable members about the transverse axis. A mechanism can be provided to expand the rotatable members to increase the distance between the rotatable members. The rotatable members in some versions can be detached from the device for placement within the disc space.