Laminoplasty Plate With Adjustable Stop For Spinal Canal Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laminoplasty techniques for treating cervical stenosis face challenges such as significant muscle and tissue damage, difficulty in precise adjustments, insufficient increase in spinal canal area, and instability of existing laminoplasty plates, particularly in cervical vertebrae surgeries, leading to potential imbalance and inadequate decompression.
Innovation Solution
A laminoplasty plate with a proximal and distal end portion having distinct bottom surfaces, and a lamina setting tool with a rotatable threaded shaft and adjustable stop, allowing controlled elevation and securement of the lamina portion to increase the spinal canal area, along with a method for using these tools to perform laminoplasty with reduced tissue damage and improved stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If traditional laminoplasty techniques are used to treat cervical stenosis, then the spinal canal area can be increased, but significant muscle and tissue damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a specialized laminoplasty plate as an intermediary device that bridges the lamina portions and provides controlled support during the expansion process. This plate acts as a mediator that enables canal enlargement while distributing mechanical stresses, thereby reducing muscle and tissue damage compared to traditional techniques that rely on direct manual manipulation or less controlled fixation methods.
2Area of stationary object
If existing laminoplasty plates are used to secure the lamina, then the spinal canal can be enlarged, but the plates lack stability leading to potential imbalance
Solution Approach 1:
The laminoplasty plate incorporates adjustable and controllable features that allow dynamic adaptation to the surgical situation. The plate can be positioned and secured with precise control over the lamina elevation, providing stability while maintaining the ability to make adjustments. This dynamic capability ensures balanced spinal alignment and prevents the instability issues seen with fixed, non-adjustable plates.
Solution Approach 2:
The plate design allows for controlled changes in parameters such as the degree of lamina separation and the position of the lamina relative to the spinal cord. By enabling precise parameter control during the procedure, the plate achieves both canal enlargement and stable fixation, resolving the contradiction between expansion and stability.
3Area of stationary object
If the lamina is elevated to increase spinal canal area, then decompression is achieved, but precise control and measurement of the elevation is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The laminoplasty plate system incorporates features that provide feedback on the degree of lamina elevation and positioning. This may include visual indicators, measurement markings, or mechanical feedback mechanisms that allow the surgeon to precisely control and measure the elevation, ensuring optimal decompression while avoiding over-elevation that could cause imbalance or neurological damage.
4Area of stationary object
If current laminoplasty techniques are used on cervical vertebrae, then the procedure can be performed, but the increase in spinal canal diameter is asymmetric causing spinal imbalance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent acknowledges the asymmetric nature of cervical vertebrae and designs the laminoplasty plate to accommodate and correct for these asymmetries. The plate can be positioned and adjusted to achieve symmetric expansion of the spinal canal despite the underlying asymmetric anatomy, thereby preventing spinal imbalance. The design allows for differential adjustment on each side to achieve overall symmetry in the final configuration.
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 solution enables controlled and secure elevation of the lamina portion, providing a greater spinal canal area with reduced tissue damage and improved stability, addressing the limitations of existing techniques by minimizing muscle and tissue damage and ensuring balanced spinal alignment.
Implementation Method 1
a lamina setting tool with a rotatable threaded shaft and adjustable stop, allowing controlled elevation and securement of the lamina portion
Data Source
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AI summary
A laminoplasty plate for securing a separated lamina portion of a desired cervical vertebra in a relief position and a method of using the same to perform a laminoplasty. In one aspect, a lamina setting tool is presented for positioning the lamina portion of the desired cervical vertebra in the relief position. In one aspect, the tool has a rotatable threaded shaft with an adjustable stop and a guide having a body portion and a first support arm.