Expandable Spinal Access Device for Minimally Invasive Surgery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional spine surgery methods cause significant trauma, scarring, pain, and prolonged recovery due to large incisions and muscle stripping, and existing minimally invasive techniques are inadequate for procedures requiring visualization of multiple vertebrae and large spinal fixation devices.
Innovation Solution
A surgical access device with an elongate body featuring an expandable proximal portion and distal portion, allowing for increased cross-sectional area at the proximal end to improve visualization and accommodate multiple instruments, while maintaining a stable configuration within the patient.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If a narrow constant diameter cannula is used to minimize incision size, then the entry profile is reduced, but the space for visualization and instrument manipulation becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The access device incorporates an expandable proximal portion that can transition from a compressed low-profile configuration during insertion to an expanded configuration during surgery. This dynamic transformation allows the device to start with a small entry profile and then provide a large working space for instrument manipulation and visualization.
Solution Approach 2:
The expandable proximal portion is designed with overlapping sections that can be compressed together during insertion and then expanded outward. The nested structure allows the device to fit through a small incision in its compressed state and then unfold to provide a large working chamber for surgical instruments.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a narrow cannula is used to reduce incision size, then trauma is minimized, but the ability to perform complex procedures involving multiple vertebrae and large fixation devices is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The device transitions from a narrow inserted configuration to an expanded working configuration, enabling complex spinal procedures including visualization of multiple vertebrae and manipulation of large fixation devices while maintaining minimal initial trauma through the small incision required for insertion.
3Device complexity
If a constant diameter cannula is used, then the device structure is simple, but the passage cross-sectional area is insufficient for multiple instruments
Solution Approach 1:
The proximal portion of the device is designed to expand from a compressed state to an expanded state, creating a large passage cross-sectional area for multiple surgical instruments. The expansion mechanism uses overlapping sections with sliding rivets that maintain structural integrity while enabling the transformation from simple to complex configuration.
4Ease of operation
If the proximal portion is expanded to increase passage area, then visualization and instrument access improve, but the device configuration becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into distinct functional segments: an inserted portion that remains relatively simple and stable, and an expandable proximal portion that provides the enlarged passage. This segmentation allows the complex expandable section to be isolated from the simple inserted section, managing overall device complexity while achieving the desired functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A retractor has a proximal portion comprising a first side portion having a first longitudinal edge and a second side portion having a second longitudinal edge. The first and second portions being movable relative to each other such that the first and second longitudinal edges can be positioned in close proximity to each or spaced apart by a selected distance. A distal portion has an outer surface and an inner surface partially defining a passage. The distal portion is capable of having a configuration when inserted within the patient wherein the cross-sectional area of the passage at a first location is greater than the cross-sectional area of the passage at a second location, wherein the first location is distal to the second location.