Expandable Interspinous Spacer for Minimally Invasive Spinal Stenosis Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current interspinous spacers require large incisions and complex posterior approaches for insertion, necessitating the cutting of fascia and stripping of muscles, which is invasive and undesirable for minimally invasive procedures.
Innovation Solution
An expandable interspinous process spacer that can be laterally inserted through a single opening and adjusted to conform to individual spinal anatomy, featuring scissor-like legs and a fastener system for expansion, allowing for minimally invasive deployment and secure positioning between spinous processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current interspinous spacers are inserted using traditional posterior approach, then the spacer can be securely implanted between spinous processes, but large incisions are required and extensive tissue damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer is divided into multiple segments or components that can be inserted separately through a minimally invasive approach and then assembled or expanded within the interspinous space, avoiding the need for large incisions while maintaining secure implantation
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer components are designed to be nested within each other during insertion, allowing the entire spacer assembly to be delivered through a small incision in a collapsed or compressed state, then expanded to full size once positioned between the spinous processes
2Reliability
If current interspinous spacers are inserted through opposite sides of the spine, then the spacer can be properly positioned, but the surgical procedure becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer is designed as a single integrated unit or pre-assembled assembly that can be inserted through one approach rather than requiring separate insertion from opposite sides, simplifying the surgical procedure while ensuring proper positioning through inherent alignment features
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer components are pre-assembled or pre-positioned in a compact configuration before insertion, allowing for simplified single-approach implantation, and then deployed to their final position once inside the interspinous space
3Ease of operation
If current interspinous spacers are inserted through large incisions, then the spacer can be easily implanted, but patient recovery time increases and surgical trauma increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer incorporates expandable or adjustable components that allow it to be inserted in a compressed state through a small incision, then dynamically expanded or adjusted to its functional size once positioned, maintaining ease of implantation while minimizing surgical trauma and recovery time
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 minimally invasive implantation and adjustment to fit specific spinal anatomy, reducing tissue damage and improving surgical efficiency in treating spinal stenosis by expanding to maintain space between spinous processes.
Implementation Method 1
rotation of the fastener results in the first plate and the second plate being drawn toward each other causing the expansion of the height of the implant
Implementation Method 2
a first pair of proximal legs that are joined in a scissor-like fashion and a second pair of distal legs that are joined in a scissor-like fashion. The distal legs and proximal legs may be pivotally coupled to each other by one or more pins
Data Source
AI summary
An expandable interspinous process spacer implant for insertion and/or implantation between a spinous process of a superior vertebral body and a spinous process of an inferior vertebral body, the implant comprising multiple pairs of legs joined in a scissor-like fashion and pivotally coupled to each other by one or more pins, where each leg has multiple slots along its longitudinal axis. The implant further may include a pair of bearing surfaces coupled between the legs via cross pins and a first plate and second plate each of which is coupled to a pair of roller pins disposed between a pair of slots on the legs where rotation of a fastener in the fastener holes of the first and second plate results in the first plate and the second plate being drawn toward each other causing the expansion of the height of the implant.