Spinal Facet Joint Fusion Cannula and Stylet Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing spinal facet fusion methods fail to achieve bone-to-bone contact and fusion between superior and inferior facets, leading to inadequate stabilization and pain relief in facet joint syndrome, and often require invasive surgical approaches.

Innovation Solution

A surgical device comprising an inner stylet component with a needle tip and an outer stylet component with cutting elements, allowing percutaneous access to the facet joint for creating an opening and inserting bone graft material, facilitating bone-to-bone fusion through a minimally invasive method.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional spinal fixation systems utilize fixation elements such as rods, wires or plates that attach to screws threaded into the vertebral bodies, facets or the pedicles, then spinal stabilization is achieved, but bone-to-bone contact and fusion between superior and inferior facets is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespinal stabilizationVSAvoidbone-to-bone contact

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the fixation approach into two distinct components: an outer cannula for creating the access pathway and an inner stylet for creating the bone-to-bone contact channel. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, enabling both spinal stabilization and direct bone-to-bone fusion simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The inner stylet is nested within the outer cannula, with the stylet fitting inside the cannula lumen. This nested configuration allows the cutting elements of the cannula to create the external pathway while the stylet simultaneously creates the internal channel for bone graft insertion, achieving both stabilization and fusion contact through a single integrated device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of operation

If conventional surgical approaches are used for facet joint access, then adequate exposure is achieved, but invasiveness is increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefacet joint accessVSAvoidsurgical invasiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cannula-stylet device acts as an intermediary tool that provides percutaneous access to the facet joint without requiring open surgical exposure. The device mediates between the external surgical field and the internal facet joint space, allowing bone graft delivery and cartilage removal through a minimally invasive pathway while maintaining adequate access for the procedure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Strength

If compression and fixation is applied to facet joints via spinal fixation elements, then spinal stabilization is achieved, but actual bone-to-bone contact and fusion between superior and inferior facets does not occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespinal stabilizationVSAvoidfacet fusion

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the stabilization function (provided by the cannula creating external compression) with the fusion function (provided by the stylet creating internal bone-to-bone contact). This combination ensures that both superior and inferior facets are held in direct contact with bone graft material, enabling reliable facet fusion while maintaining spinal stabilization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

The device enables effective distraction, removal of degenerated cartilage, and insertion of graft material for facet joint fusion, providing stable bone-to-bone contact and spinal stabilization with reduced invasiveness.

Implementation Method 1

Rotating the interlocked first and second handles moves forward the elongated cannula and the needle tip and cuts a profile in an insertion site with the cutting elements of the outer cannula

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical cutting: Abrasion

Implementation Method 2

Rotating the interlocked first and second handles moves forward the elongated cannula and the needle tip and generates an opening in the insertion site with the needle tip

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical penetration: Impact Force

Implementation Method 3

inserting bone graft material for fusing of the spinal facet joints

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBone fusion: Welding

Data Source

PatentUS20230248339A1Devices AMD methods for spinal facet joint fusion

Publication Date: 2023.08.10 KIC VENTURES LLC

AI summary

A surgical device includes an inner stylet component and an outer stylet component. The inner stylet component includes a first handle and an elongated rod having a proximal end attached to a bottom surface of the first handle and a distal end comprising a needle tip. The outer stylet component includes a second handle and an elongated cannula having a proximal end attached to a bottom surface of the second handle and a distal open end comprising cutting elements formed on an outer surface. The elongated rod is sized to removably fit and slide within the elongated cannula, and the first handle is configured to interlock with the second handle. Rotating the interlocked first and second handles moves forward the elongated cannula and the needle tip and cuts a profile in an insertion site with the cutting elements of the outer cannula.