Gear-Driven Spinal Access System for Tissue Stress Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal surgery methods face challenges in achieving adequate access and visualization of the surgical field while minimizing tissue stress and maintaining vertebral body alignment and spacing during procedures like discectomy and fusion.
Innovation Solution
A surgical access system comprising a beam, supports, and connectors with gear assemblies that allow for controlled rotation and pivoting of retractor blades, along with a distractor device using elongated members and pins to apply distraction forces, facilitating parallel alignment and spacing of vertebral bodies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional spinal surgery approaches are used to access intervertebral spaces, then surgical procedures can be performed, but access to the surgical area is limited and tissue stress is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical system is divided into multiple components including a distractor device with separate elongated members, retractor blades, and connectors that can be independently positioned and adjusted. This segmentation allows for optimized access to the surgical field while distributing tissue stress across multiple contact points rather than concentrating force in a single location.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates dynamic adjustment capabilities through the gear assembly mechanism that allows real-time modification of retractor blade angles and positions. The distractor device also enables dynamic control of vertebral body separation, allowing the surgeon to optimize tissue stress distribution during the procedure based on patient-specific anatomy and surgical requirements.
2Manufacturing precision
If vertebral bodies are distracted during surgery, then spacing and alignment can be maintained, but achieving parallel distraction is difficult and alignment may be lost
Solution Approach 1:
The gear assembly mechanism provides mechanical feedback through meshing gears that transmit rotational motion from one elongated member to the other. This ensures that both vertebral bodies are distracted by equal amounts, maintaining parallel alignment. The interlocked gear system automatically compensates for minor positioning variations, providing inherent feedback control for precise alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces complex manual alignment techniques with a standardized mechanical gear-driven distraction mechanism. This mechanical substitution provides consistent, repeatable parallel distraction without requiring sophisticated surgical skill or complex positioning equipment, thereby achieving precise alignment through straightforward mechanical means.
3Illumination intensity
If retractor blades are used to improve visualization, then access to the surgical field is enhanced, but tissue stress increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retractor blades are connected to the distractor device through connectors that allow dynamic adjustment of blade angles and positions. This dynamic configuration enables the blades to adapt to the patient's anatomy, optimizing visualization while minimizing contact pressure on surrounding tissues. The ability to adjust blade positioning in real-time allows for reduced tissue stress compared to fixed retractor systems.
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
Enhances access and visualization of the surgical field, reduces tissue stress, and maintains vertebral body alignment and spacing, thereby supporting more effective spinal surgery procedures.
Implementation Method 1
The gear assembly includes a first gear disposed within the cavity of the coupling element and a second gear non-rotatably disposed at the first end portion of the arm. The first and second gears are meshingly engaged with each other such that rotation of the first gear results in rotation of the second gear which, in turn, causes the arm to pivot with respect to the coupling element.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical access system includes a connector including an arm having first and second end portions, a coupling element having a body portion defining a cavity therein, and a gear assembly. The gear assembly includes a first gear disposed within the cavity of the coupling element and a second gear non-rotatably disposed at the first end portion of the arm. The first and second gears are meshingly engaged with each other such that rotation of the first gear results in rotation of the second gear which, in turn, causes the arm to pivot with respect to the coupling element.