Interspinous Spacer Insertion Device for Minimally Invasive Spinal Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical procedures for addressing spinal degeneration and resulting stenosis require invasive methods that involve removing ligaments and bone, whereas minimally invasive solutions are needed to alleviate nerve compression without disrupting muscle attachments or the spinous process ligament.
Innovation Solution
A minimally invasive interspinous process spacer insertion device using a trocar rod and cannulated sleeve to percutaneously position a spacer between adjacent vertebrae spinous processes, allowing for alignment, insertion, and locking of the spacer without removing bone or ligaments, thereby preserving muscle attachments and facilitating relief from foramenal and lateral canal stenosis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional surgical procedures are used to address spinal stenosis, then nerve compression can be relieved, but muscle attachments and ligament integrity are disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The procedure segments the surgical approach by using separate instruments for different functions: the trocar rod for alignment and insertion, the cannulated sleeve for spacer delivery, and the rotation mechanism for locking. This segmentation allows precise placement of the spacer between spinous processes without requiring removal of ligaments or disruption of muscle attachments, thereby relieving nerve compression while preserving soft tissue integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer acts as an intermediary device positioned between the spinous processes to maintain separation and prevent ligamentum flavum buckling, which relieves nerve compression without requiring direct manipulation or removal of the ligaments themselves. The trocar rod and cannulated sleeve serve as intermediary tools that facilitate spacer placement through minimally invasive percutaneous access
2Object-affected harmful factors
If minimally invasive percutaneous insertion is used, then muscle attachments and ligaments are preserved, but the complexity of the insertion device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device merges multiple functions into a single integrated system: the trocar rod provides both alignment guidance and insertion force, while the cannulated sleeve accommodates the spacer and provides a delivery pathway. The rotation mechanism is integrated into the spacer-cannulated sleeve assembly, allowing locking to occur in situ. This merging reduces the need for multiple separate instruments and complex surgical steps, making the minimally invasive approach feasible
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates dynamic elements including the rotation capability of the spacer within the cannulated sleeve, which transitions from an unlocked insertion state to a locked final position. The trocar rod can be advanced and retracted dynamically during the procedure, and the cannulated sleeve can be manipulated to deliver the spacer at the appropriate moment. This dynamic design allows the device to adapt to different stages of the minimally invasive procedure
Data Source
AI summary
An interspinous process spacer insertion device that positions an interspinous process spacer between the spinous process of adjacent vertebrae in a minimally invasive percutaneous surgical procedure. The device includes a trocar rod that extends through a cannulated sleeve. The spacer is attached to the end of the cannulated sleeve, where a trocar tip of the trocar rod extends through the spacer. The trocar rod is moved through the cannulated sleeve and an incision in the patient, and is positioned between the spinous process of the vertebra to align the device. The cannulated sleeve is then moved down the trocar rod so that the spacer slides between the spinous process, and the trocar rod is then withdrawn from the patient. The spacer is then rotated so that it locks behind the spinous process, and the cannulated sleeve is detached from the spacer and removed from the patient.