Expandable Spinal Implant Delivery via Curable Fluid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical treatments for spinal disorders, such as degenerative disc disease and osteoporosis, often require invasive procedures and may not adequately address the need for precise implant placement and stabilization, leading to suboptimal patient outcomes.
Innovation Solution
A surgical system comprising a surgical instrument with a pressurized fluid source and an expandable implant that can be deployed between vertebrae, featuring a curved access cannula and a removable trocar for minimal access surgical techniques, allowing for controlled implant positioning and deployment using a two-part curable flowable material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional surgical treatments are used for spinal disorders, then spinal stabilization can be achieved, but tissue disruption and invasiveness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical system is divided into separate functional components: a delivery instrument for minimal access insertion, an expandable implant for stabilization, and a curable flowable material for inflation. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while minimizing overall tissue disruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant is contained within the delivery instrument in a nested configuration, allowing the implant to be inserted through a small access point and then deployed at the target site. The flowable material is similarly contained within the implant structure, enabling minimal access delivery while maintaining the ability to expand to full size internally.
2Manufacturing precision
If expandable implants are used for spinal stabilization, then precise positioning can be achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The implant is inflated using a curable flowable material delivered through fluid dynamics principles. The pressurized injection system allows precise control of implant expansion and positioning without requiring complex mechanical actuation mechanisms, thereby achieving precision while managing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant transitions from a collapsed low-volume state during insertion to an expanded high-volume state at the target site. This parameter change in volume and shape allows the same device to achieve both minimal access delivery and precise positional stabilization without requiring multiple different device configurations.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If minimal access surgical techniques are used, then tissue disruption is reduced, but implant delivery and positioning becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The implant transitions from a static collapsed configuration during delivery to a dynamic expanded configuration at the target site. This dynamic transformation allows the implant to pass through the narrow minimal access delivery instrument and then expand to its full functional size and shape once positioned, making minimal access delivery feasible while maintaining ease of final positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The delivery instrument serves as an intermediary between the surgeon and the implant, providing a controlled pathway for implant insertion through minimal access. The instrument includes features like a curved access cannula and removable trocar that facilitate easy navigation and positioning while protecting surrounding tissues, thereby resolving the conflict between minimal access and ease of 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
Enables precise and minimally invasive spinal implant placement, providing stabilization and decompression while reducing tissue disruption and improving patient recovery by using a biocompatible expandable implant that can be filled in vivo with a curable substance, enhancing the treatment of spinal disorders.
Implementation Method 1
The surgical instrument includes a body having an actuator and is connectable with a pressurized fluid source. A first member is connected with the body and the fluid source.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical instrument includes a body having an actuator and being connectable with a pressurized fluid source. A first member is connected with the body and the fluid source. The first member is configured for connection with an implant disposable between a contracted configuration and an expanded configuration. A second member defines a cavity configured for disposal of the first member and the expandable implant. The second member is connected with the actuator for selective translation relative to the first member to position the implant in the contracted configuration. Systems, implants and methods are disclosed.