Expandable Spinous Process Implant for Minimally Invasive Spinal Stenosis Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current minimally-invasive spinal procedures for treating spinal stenosis are not suitable for conditions with severely compressed spinous processes and often require large or multiple incisions, leading to increased complications and hospital stays.
Innovation Solution
A medical device and method for inserting an implant between adjacent spinous processes using a guide member and an insertion tool, allowing for a minimally-invasive approach with a curved path and expandable elements to stabilize the spinous processes without the need for extensive surgery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If current minimally-invasive spinal procedures are used, then the treatment is less invasive, but they are not suitable for severely compressed spinous processes
Solution Approach 1:
The implant device changes its physical parameters by expanding from a compressed delivery state to an expanded deployed state. The expandable body transitions from a small profile suitable for percutaneous insertion to a larger profile that provides adequate support for severely compressed spinous processes, thus resolving the contradiction between minimally-invasive delivery and suitability for severe compression cases.
2Ease of operation
If large or multiple incisions are made, then access to the spine is improved, but complications and hospital stays increase
Solution Approach 1:
The implant device is nested within a delivery system that allows it to be inserted through a small percutaneous incision. The expandable implant is contained within a delivery catheter or sheath during insertion, enabling minimally-invasive access to the spine while avoiding the need for large incisions, thereby reducing complications and hospital stay duration.
3Ease of operation
If a percutaneous approach is used, then the procedure is less invasive, but the path to the spinous processes becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery system and implant are designed to accommodate a curved insertion path from the posterior approach. The flexible delivery catheter can navigate the curved anatomical path through the paraspinal tissues to reach the spinous processes, while the expandable implant maintains its structural integrity during curved insertion, thus enabling minimally-invasive access without excessive device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes inserting an implant having a support member and a retention member movably coupled to the support member such that at least a portion of the support member of the implant is disposed between a first spinous process and a second spinous process. The implant is rotated relative to the first spinous process and the second spinous process about an axis substantially normal to a mid-line axis of a spinal column while the portion of the support member is disposed between the first spinous process and the second spinous process. In some embodiments, the implant is rotated such that an inner surface of an end portion of the retention member is between an outer surface of the end portion of the retention member and the first spinous process. The retention member is translated relative to the support member.