Lateral Spine Surgery via Anterior Longitudinal Ligament Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for sagittal imbalance in the spine, such as posterior and anterior approaches, are associated with significant blood loss, long recovery times, and potential complications like sexual dysfunction, and lack a safe and reproducible method for releasing the anterior longitudinal ligament via a lateral approach.
Innovation Solution
The development of devices and methods for safely releasing the anterior longitudinal ligament through a lateral access corridor, allowing for the insertion of a hyper-lordotic implant to restore the normal lordotic curvature of the lumbar spine, utilizing various ALL resector instruments and a lateral access system to minimize tissue damage and blood loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a posterior approach is used to treat sagittal imbalance, then the spinal curvature can be corrected, but there is significant blood loss, long recovery time, and requires muscle stripping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional anterior or posterior approaches to a lateral approach, changing the surgical dimension to access the spine. This lateral access allows correction of sagittal imbalance while avoiding the blood loss and muscle stripping associated with posterior approaches and the vascular risks of anterior approaches.
2Reliability
If an anterior approach is used to treat sagittal imbalance, then the spinal curvature can be corrected, but there is blood loss, scar tissue build-up near vital organs, and potential sexual dysfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adopts a lateral approach as an alternative dimension to the traditional anterior approach. This allows access to the spine without retracting the great vessels (aorta and vena cava), thereby avoiding blood loss, scar tissue build-up near vital organs, and sexual dysfunction while still enabling correction of sagittal imbalance.
3Loss of substance
If a lateral approach is used to access the spine, then blood loss and recovery time are reduced, but there is no safe and reproducible method for releasing the anterior longitudinal ligament
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a specialized instrument as an intermediary tool to release the anterior longitudinal ligament through the lateral approach. This instrument, with its curved blade and protective finger, enables safe and reproducible ligament release while maintaining the blood loss reduction benefits of the lateral approach.
4Reliability
If traditional open approaches are used, then spinal surgery can be performed, but there is a large incision, high risk, and long operating time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a lateral approach as a third dimension beyond the traditional anterior and posterior approaches. This lateral access enables spinal surgery with a smaller incision, reduced blood loss, and shorter operating time while maintaining surgical capability through instruments designed for this specific lateral corridor.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are described for correcting sagittal imbalance in a spine including instruments for performing the controlled release of the anterior longitudinal ligament through a lateral access corridor and hyper-lordotic lateral implants with detachable fixation tabs.