Lateral Approach Spinal Disc Replacement System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal disc replacement devices are fixed in size and shape, requiring open surgery for insertion and posing risks to neural tissues due to their large size and need for distraction instrumentation, which limits their use in minimally invasive procedures and complicates patient recovery.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for spinal disc replacement via a lateral approach, using incremental trial implants and a tooth profile cutter to create custom-fit openings in the vertebrae, allowing for percutaneous insertion of a resilient core artificial disc with adjustable plates and a urethane silicon blend core, minimizing tissue damage and scarring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fixed size and shape intervertebral implant devices are used, then the implant can be inserted via open surgery, but the large size makes it technically challenging to avoid injury to the dura and nerve roots during insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The implant device is divided into multiple components including an upper vertebral body attachment component, a lower vertebral body attachment component, and an interbody spacer component. This segmentation allows each component to be smaller and more maneuverable during insertion while still achieving the overall implant function when assembled together in the disc space.
Solution Approach 2:
The approach transitions from traditional anterior or posterior approaches to a lateral approach, changing the dimensional access route to the disc space. This lateral dimension provides a different trajectory that avoids direct exposure of neural elements while still enabling implant insertion.
2Reliability
If open surgery is performed to access the intervertebral disc space, then the disc can be removed and replaced with an implant, but extensive muscle stripping and prolonged retraction are required which contribute to poorer patient outcome
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical approach utilizes dynamic, minimally invasive access techniques rather than static open exposure. The lateral approach with percutaneous instrumentation allows for dynamic adjustment and minimizes the duration and extent of muscle retraction, thereby improving patient outcomes while reducing surgical complexity.
3Ease of operation
If distraction instrumentation and techniques are used to access the intervertebral disc space, then the disc space can be opened for implant insertion, but this necessitates open surgery for anterior placements and limited open exposures for posterior procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The implant components are designed to be pre-assembled or pre-positioned using guide tools before final insertion. The guide tools establish the correct trajectory and positioning in advance, eliminating the need for distraction instrumentation to create space during the actual implant placement.
Solution Approach 2:
Guide tools serve as intermediary devices that facilitate the insertion of the implant components without requiring distraction instrumentation. These guide tools provide a pathway and positioning mechanism that simplifies the insertion process while maintaining access to the disc space through a minimally invasive lateral approach.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a system and method for spinal disc replacement surgery via a lateral approach. The invention also relates to a spinal disc replacement device that is designed to be inserted via the lateral approach disc replacement surgery. The invention further relates to tools used for the spinal disc replacement surgery via the lateral approach.