Interspinous Spinal Implant Insertion via Segmented Working Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional spinal decompression surgeries often require large incisions, extensive muscle stripping, prolonged muscle retraction, and risk neural tissue injury, leading to complications such as scarring and prolonged recovery times.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for minimally invasive spinal decompression surgery involving a decompression knife, broach cutter, sizing tool, insertion tool, compressor tool, and locking driver to insert an interspinous spinal implant between spinous processes, reducing tissue damage and incision size by creating a gap between spinous processes and stabilizing them with a dual-component implant.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional open spinal decompression surgery is performed, then spinal decompression and stabilization can be achieved, but large incisions and extensive muscle stripping are required leading to increased tissue damage and prolonged recovery
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical approach is segmented into distinct working channels (first and second working channels) that are separately accessed through smaller incisions. The decompression knife and broach cutter are inserted through these separate channels to perform specific functions, allowing limited muscle disruption compared to traditional single-incision approaches.
Solution Approach 2:
Working channels serve as intermediary pathways that allow surgical instruments to access deep spinal structures without requiring direct large incisions through muscle tissue. These channels are formed by inserting decompression knives and broach cutters through smaller incisions to create controlled pathways for implant insertion.
2Reliability
If traditional open spinal decompression surgery is performed, then spinal decompression can be achieved, but prolonged muscle retraction is required leading to increased recovery time
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical procedure is divided into separate working channels with specific instruments for specific functions. The first working channel receives the decompression knife for creating the gap, while the second working channel receives the broach cutter for ligament cutting. This segmentation allows muscles to be minimally disrupted and reduces the need for prolonged retraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The gap between spinous processes is created preliminarily by inserting the decompression knife through the first working channel before implant insertion. The interspinous ligament is cut preliminarily by the broach cutter through the second working channel. These preliminary actions prepare the site for implant placement without requiring prolonged muscle retraction.
3Reliability
If traditional open spinal decompression surgery is performed, then spinal decompression can be achieved, but neural tissue retraction and injury risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
Working channels act as intermediary pathways that allow surgical instruments to reach neural structures without direct exposure and manipulation. The decompression knife and broach cutter are inserted through these channels to create the gap and cut ligaments, reducing the need for direct neural tissue retraction and minimizing injury risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The interspinous ligament is extracted or cut through the second working channel using the broach cutter, removing the need for extensive muscle stripping and neural tissue manipulation. This extraction approach eliminates harmful factors by removing the ligament through a controlled pathway rather than through extensive tissue disruption.
4Reliability
If traditional open spinal decompression surgery is performed, then spinal decompression can be achieved, but extensive muscle stripping is required leading to scarring and pain
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical access is segmented into separate working channels that minimize muscle disruption. The decompression knife and broach cutter are inserted through these channels to perform decompression functions, reducing the overall amount of muscle stripping required and thereby reducing scarring and postoperative pain.
Solution Approach 2:
The interspinous ligament is extracted through the second working channel using the broach cutter, eliminating the need for extensive muscle stripping that would otherwise be required to access and remove the ligament. This extraction approach reduces tissue damage and subsequent scarring and pain.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for inserting an interspinous spinal implant into an opened gap between first and second spinous processes of adjacent superior and inferior vertebras, respectively includes the following. First forming an opened gap between a first spinous processes of a superior vertebra and a second spinous processes of an adjacent inferior vertebra by first inserting a decompression knife into diseased areas of the adjacent superior and inferior vertebras, then cutting fascia tissue, then separating soft tissue from bone by rocking the decompression knife back and forth, and then inserting a broach cutter into the diseased areas of the adjacent superior and inferior vertebras and cutting interspinous ligament between the adjacent superior and inferior vertebras. Next, determining and selecting an appropriate sized and shaped interspinous spinal implant for the opened gap by inserting a sizing tool into the opened gap, and sizing the opened gap with the sizing tool. Next, inserting the selected interspinous spinal implant into the opened gap with an insertion tool, and then compressing first and second elongated components of the interspinous spinal implant onto first and second opposite sides of the first and second spinous processes with a compressor tool, respectively. Finally, locking the interspinous spinal implant onto the first and second spinous processes of the adjacent superior and inferior vertebras with a locking driver.