Expandable Tissue Disrupter Assembly for Annulus-Sparing Disc Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical techniques for removing nucleus pulposus from spinal discs often cause significant disruption to the annulus fibrosus, compromising the integrity of the spinal disc and complicating spinal fusion procedures.
Innovation Solution
A tissue disrupter assembly with an outer cannula and inner member, featuring a tissue disrupter that can transition between collapsed and expanded configurations, utilizing a hoop with cutting edges to dislodge nucleus tissue while minimizing damage to the annulus fibrosus, and a malleable protrusion design to facilitate efficient removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If existing surgical techniques are used to remove nucleus pulposus, then nucleus tissue removal is achieved, but significant disruption to annulus fibrosus occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the surgical function into two distinct components: an inner member with a disrupter for nucleus removal and an outer cannula for annulus protection. This segmentation allows the nucleus to be removed through the cannula while the annulus remains protected by the cannula's presence, resolving the contradiction between effective nucleus removal and annulus preservation.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer cannula acts as an intermediary protective element between the disrupter and the annulus fibrosus. The disrupter is contained within the cannula during insertion and deployment, allowing nucleus tissue to be removed through the cannula's opening while the annulus is protected from direct contact with the disrupter's cutting edges.
2Productivity
If a tissue disrupter with cutting edges is used to dislodge nucleus tissue, then efficient nucleus removal is achieved, but risk of annulus damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device separates the cutting/disrupting function (inner member) from the protective function (outer cannula), allowing efficient nucleus removal while the annulus remains protected by the cannula.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner member with the disrupter is nested within the outer cannula. The disruptor can be extended through the cannula to remove nucleus tissue, but the cannula remains in place to protect the annulus, creating a nested configuration that resolves the contradiction between efficient removal and protection.
3Productivity
If the tissue disrupter is kept in an expanded configuration for nucleus removal, then dislodging efficiency is improved, but device size and insertion difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tissue disrupter is designed to be dynamic, transitioning between a collapsed configuration for insertion and an expanded configuration for tissue removal. The disrupter can be extended radially outward from the inner member to an expanded state where it effectively dislodges nucleus tissue, then collapsed again for removal, resolving the contradiction between operational efficiency and insertion ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The disrupter is nested within the inner member in a collapsed state for easy insertion through the cannula and access portal. Once positioned, it can be extended to an expanded state for efficient nucleus removal, then collapsed again for withdrawal, allowing the device to adapt its size to different operational phases.
Data Source
AI summary
A tissue disrupter assembly includes an outer cannula and an inner member arranged at least partially within the outer cannula. The outer cannula is selectively movable along the inner member to expose a tissue disrupter fixed to and extending from a distal end of the inner member. The tissue disrupter when exposed is configured to enter an expanded configuration for dislodging tissue at a surgical site.