Lamina Plate Angled Trajectory Spinal Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal decompression and fixation procedures are associated with significant patient trauma and risk due to the need for extensive tissue removal and precise alignment of spinal fixation assemblies, which can lead to injury from miscalculations and limited bone contact area.
Innovation Solution
The development of lamina prosthesis plates that can be positioned on a vertebra post-laminectomy, featuring angled receiving holes and adjustable curvature to facilitate reduced exposure and enhanced bone purchase, allowing for longer fixation elements and reduced risk of injury, with optional receiver heads for stabilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If spinal fixation assemblies are delivered directly into lateral mass or pedicle perpendicular to midline, then fixation can be achieved, but significant muscle and tissue must be stripped and risk of penetrating spinal canal increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of delivering the fixation assembly directly from the lateral mass/pedicle entry point perpendicular to the midline, the invention reverses the approach by delivering the assembly from a more lateral and posterior direction, approaching the target from a different angle that avoids the spinal canal. This inverted delivery trajectory reduces tissue trauma and penetration risk while achieving the same fixation outcome.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the delivery trajectory from a primarily anterior-posterior direction (perpendicular to midline) to include significant lateral and posterior components. By adding these dimensional elements to the delivery path, the assembly can reach the lateral mass or pedicle through a route that avoids critical structures, reducing harm while maintaining fixation reliability.
2Ease of operation
If fixation assembly is positioned with large distance from midline to lateral mass entry point, then delivery is simplified, but amount of muscle and tissue that must be stripped increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a guide instrument with a guide member that is positioned preliminarily to establish the correct trajectory before delivering the fixation assembly. This preliminary positioning ensures the assembly follows a path that minimizes tissue disruption while reaching the target, combining ease of delivery with reduced trauma.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide member acts as an intermediary tool that facilitates the delivery of the fixation assembly along an optimized trajectory. This intermediary structure enables the assembly to be delivered with ease while following a path that minimizes muscle and tissue stripping, resolving the contradiction between operational ease and trauma reduction.
3Ease of operation
If fixation assembly is delivered with slight miscalculation in trajectory, then delivery may be easier, but penetration into spinal canal or foramina occurs causing significant injury
Solution Approach 1:
The guide instrument provides real-time feedback during the delivery process, allowing the surgeon to verify the trajectory is correct before completing the insertion. This feedback mechanism ensures that even if there are slight miscalculations, the trajectory can be corrected before the fixation assembly penetrates critical structures, maintaining both ease of operation and injury prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide member is designed with features that prevent the fixation assembly from deviating into dangerous trajectories. By providing a physical constraint or protective structure beforehand, the system cushions against trajectory errors, ensuring that even with slight miscalculations, the assembly remains on a safe path that avoids the spinal canal and foramina.
Data Source
AI summary
Lamina plates can include various features that allow a surgeon to couple the plate to a vertebra, such as a plurality of receiving holes for receiving a spinal fixation element. The plate can be shaped and the receiving holes positioned such that spinal fixation elements can be installed with reduced exposure of the spine and along a trajectory that enhances purchase with bone. The lamina plate can include one or more features for coupling at least one receiver head to the plate for receiving a spinal stabilization element. Since the receiver head can be coupled to the plate after the plate is implanted, it does not restrict the range of angles or trajectories at which the spinal fixation elements can be installed.