Lateral Spinal Access Retractor with Linkage Jack
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Solution Overview
Problem
Minimally invasive surgical techniques for accessing the spine from a lateral approach face challenges in effectively enlarging the access channel through the psoas muscle, which is dense and tough, requiring innovative solutions to maintain a working channel for spinal therapy procedures like fusion without causing tissue damage or inflammation.
Innovation Solution
The use of tube-in-tube, internal retractor insertion, and linkage jack systems to gradually and controllably expand the access channel, employing biocompatible materials and instruments that can withstand multiple procedures, and providing lighting for precise nerve avoidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional surgical approaches are used to access the spine, then adequate access to the spinal column is achieved, but tissue trauma and inflammation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The access channel is divided into multiple expandable segments or struts that can be independently adjusted. This allows gradual enlargement of the surgical corridor through the psoas muscle while minimizing trauma to surrounding tissues, as each segment can be expanded controllably rather than requiring a single large incision
Solution Approach 2:
The implant device employs a nested structure where multiple struts or support elements are contained within each other in a collapsed state for minimally invasive insertion, then sequentially deployed to expand the access channel. This nesting allows the device to pass through small incisions while providing adequate structural support for spinal therapy procedures
2Ease of operation
If the access channel is enlarged through the dense psoas muscle, then a working channel for spinal therapy is created, but tissue damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The access channel device incorporates dynamic, adjustable struts that can be expanded or contracted based on procedural needs. This allows the surgical corridor to be enlarged only to the necessary degree for the specific therapy procedure, rather than creating a permanently large opening that would cause excessive tissue damage
Solution Approach 2:
The device allows modification of physical parameters such as the diameter and length of the access channel through adjustable struts. This enables optimization of the channel dimensions to match the specific requirements of the spinal therapy procedure while minimizing disruption to surrounding psoas muscle tissue
3Object-affected harmful factors
If minimally invasive lateral approach is used, then tissue trauma is reduced, but difficulty in enlarging access channel through psoas muscle increases
Solution Approach 1:
The psoas muscle is approached through multiple small incisions rather than one large inciction, with each incision accommodating a separate strut or segment of the access channel device. This segmentation reduces the trauma from any single incision site while collectively providing adequate access to the spinal column
Solution Approach 2:
The access channel device incorporates curved or angled struts that follow the natural anatomical path through the psoas muscle. This curved geometry allows the device to navigate the dense muscle tissue more effectively, reducing the force required for enlargement and minimizing damage to surrounding structures
4Productivity
If multiple procedures are performed with the same instruments, then cost is reduced, but instrument wear and biocompatibility challenges increase
Solution Approach 1:
The implant device employs composite materials that combine biocompatible polymers with reinforcing elements, providing both the flexibility needed for minimally invasive insertion and the durability required for multiple procedures. The composite construction maintains biocompatibility while withstanding repeated sterilization and surgical use
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed with modular components that can be individually replaced or recovered after use. Critical wear components can be discarded and replaced, while non-wear components are recovered and reused, optimizing the balance between biocompatibility, durability, and cost-effectiveness across multiple procedures
Data Source
AI summary
Minimally invasive surgical techniques including techniques and implants for provision of therapy to a spine from a lateral approach. Implants that may be used with other approaches to the spine are disclosed. Minimally invasive surgical techniques using one or more extended retractors to create an extended access route such as the non-limiting example of lateral access to the spine. Minimally invasive surgical techniques using internal retractors that may be reversibly expanded with a removable retractor inserter to create an extended access route. A linkage jack to expand a set of two or more extended retractors to create an extended access route.