Hydraulic Spinal Distractor for Controlled Vertebral Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spine surgery methods face challenges in effectively separating vertebrae during anterior and lateral surgeries, particularly in preserving mobility and accessing damaged discs without causing damage to surrounding tissues.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic spinal distractor system is employed, comprising a distractor unit with a hydraulic piston, bone screws, and retractors, which allows for controlled separation of vertebrae by extending the piston to create a gap, facilitating access and positioning of prostheses or implants while maintaining tissue protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional manual separation methods are used, then surgical simplicity is maintained, but precision and control over vertebrae separation are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a hydraulic piston system where hydraulic fluid is pumped into a cylinder to extend the piston and separate vertebrae. The hydraulic mechanism provides precise, controlled force application allowing the surgeon to gradually increase separation distance with fine control, resolving the contradiction between needing precise control and maintaining system simplicity.
2Length of moving object
If greater separation force is applied, then access to damaged discs is improved, but damage to surrounding tissues increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic piston system allows dynamic adjustment of separation force and distance. The surgeon can gradually increase hydraulic pressure to extend the piston incrementally, applying force dynamically rather than statically. This enables controlled separation that increases access distance while minimizing sudden tissue damage through progressive force application.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides mechanical feedback through the hydraulic system where resistance from surrounding tissues is transmitted back to the surgeon during piston extension. This allows real-time adjustment of separation force based on tissue response, preventing excessive force that could cause damage while achieving sufficient separation for surgical access.
3Ease of operation
If vertebrae are separated to access damaged discs, then surgical access is improved, but stability of the spinal column deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The separation process is segmented into controlled stages through the hydraulic system. Rather than creating one large gap, the piston extends in controlled increments, creating manageable separation distances that maintain spinal stability while providing sufficient access. The segmented approach allows the surgeon to work in stages, maintaining column integrity throughout the procedure.
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 system enables precise control over vertebrae separation, enhancing access to damaged discs and vertebral bodies, allowing for effective implantation of disc prostheses and cages, and reducing tissue damage during surgeries like corpectomy and discectomy.
Implementation Method 1
extending the hydraulic piston of the distractor unit to cause the first vertebrae and the second vertebrae to move away from each other
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of a corpectomy method, comprising the steps of: providing a distractor unit comprising at least a first hydraulic cylinder configured to removably receive a piston of a predetermined length during a surgical procedure; providing the piston; providing a plurality of bone screws; affixing a first bone screw of the plurality of bone screws to a first vertebrae of a spine and a second bone screw of the plurality of bone screws to a second vertebrae of the spine; mounting the distractor unit onto the first bone screw and the second bone screw; and extending the hydraulic piston of the distractor unit to cause the first vertebrae and the second vertebrae to move away from each other are disclosed.