Flexible Tissue Rasp for Spinal Stenosis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current surgical treatments for spinal stenosis, such as laminectomy and spinal fusion, are highly invasive and lead to long-term morbidity and loss of spinal function, as they require significant removal of vertebral bone and joint structures, causing instability and limiting mobility.

Innovation Solution

A minimally invasive method and device using an elongate, flexible tissue modification device with abrasive and non-abrasive surfaces to modify target tissues in the spine, applying anchoring and tensioning forces to abrade target tissues while protecting non-target tissues, thereby reducing the need for bone removal and fusion procedures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional surgical procedures (laminectomy, facetectomy, discectomy) are used to treat spinal stenosis, then neural and neurovascular impingement is relieved, but significant amounts of vertebral bone and joint structures are removed causing spinal instability and requiring fusion procedures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverelief of neural impingementVSAvoidspinal stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the fundamental parameter of tissue modification from removal to deformation. The rasp member deforms and compresses impinging tissue into adjacent spaces rather than removing it, fundamentally altering how the impingement problem is solved while preserving spinal structures and stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the mechanical cutting and removal system with a compression and deformation system. Instead of using cutting instruments to remove bone and tissue, a rasp member applies controlled compression forces to deform tissue into available spaces, eliminating the need for structural removal and fusion procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If traditional surgical procedures are used to relieve impingement, then symptoms are improved in the short term, but long-term morbidity increases and spinal function is diminished

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesymptom reliefVSAvoidlong-term morbidity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention converts the harmful effect of rigid tissue impingement into a beneficial compression force. By applying controlled compression through the rasp member, impinging tissue is deformed into adjacent spaces, transforming the pathological pressure into a therapeutic mechanism that relieves impingement while preserving tissue integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical state and spatial distribution of impinging tissue through compression. Tissue is deformed from a rigid impinging structure into a compressed configuration within available spaces, fundamentally altering the mechanical parameters while maintaining tissue viability and reducing long-term morbidity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If bone and joint structures are removed to create space for neural tissue, then impingement is relieved, but range of motion is limited and stress on adjacent segments increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpingement reliefVSAvoidspinal mobility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention converts the available but underutilized adjacent spaces into therapeutic zones. By compressing impinging tissue into these previously empty or unused spaces, the invention relieves impingement without requiring removal of load-bearing structures, thereby preserving spinal mobility and reducing stress on adjacent segments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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

This approach allows for effective relief of neural and neurovascular impingement in the spine with reduced damage to surrounding tissues and structures, minimizing long-term morbidity and preserving spinal function and mobility.

Implementation Method 1

an elongate body having an abrasive tissue modifying surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbrasion: Abrasion

Data Source

PatentUS8048080B2Flexible tissue rasp

Publication Date: 2011.11.01 AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES INC

AI summary

Methods and devices are described for modifying tissue in a spine of a patient to treat or alleviate spinal stenosis. In one embodiment, a method may include: advancing at least a distal portion of an elongate tissue modification device into an epidural space and between target tissue and non-target tissue in the spine; positioning the tissue modification device so that at least one abrasive surface of the device faces target tissue and at least one non-abrasive surface faces non-target tissue; applying tensioning force at or near separate distal and proximal portions of the tissue modification device; and translating the tissue modification device back and forth while maintaining at least some tensioning force to abrade at least a portion of the target tissue with the at least one abrasive surface. Unwanted damage to the non-target tissue may be prevented via the at least one non-abrasive surface.