Magnetic Tether Navigation for Percutaneous Spinal Implants

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current spinal implant systems are invasive, cause significant tissue damage, and expose patients and surgeons to radiation, leading to prolonged recovery times and potential neurological damage due to the inability to accurately navigate interconnecting rods around bony obstructions without radiation-based navigation systems.

Innovation Solution

A minimally invasive system using a magnetic targeting member attached to a tether, which is introduced through an introducer to create a pathway for biocompatible devices, allowing for percutaneous placement of implants with reduced tissue damage and radiation exposure, featuring a magnetic introducer and tethering mechanism for precise navigation and anchoring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional open surgical techniques are used for spinal stabilization, then proper bone stabilization and immobilization are achieved, but large incisions and extensive muscle retraction cause significant soft tissue damage and prolonged recovery

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebone stabilizationVSAvoidsoft tissue damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The surgical procedure is divided into separate percutaneous steps: first inserting anchors into the bone, then separately delivering the interconnecting rod through a flexible delivery system. This segmentation allows minimally invasive anchor placement while achieving reliable bone stabilization through the modular construct.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A flexible delivery system with tether acts as an intermediary between the surgeon and the interconnecting rod, allowing the rod to be delivered through a narrow catheter-like structure rather than requiring direct manual insertion through large incisions. The flexible delivery system navigates through the anatomical space and deploys the rod at the target location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If percutaneous procedures are used to reduce soft tissue damage, then smaller incisions and reduced recovery time are achieved, but navigation of interconnecting rods around bony obstructions becomes more difficult without radiation-based guidance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoft tissue damageVSAvoidnavigation precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces radiation-based navigation systems with a mechanical guidance system consisting of a flexible delivery system that physically navigates around bony obstructions. The system uses a catheter-like structure that can bend and conform to the anatomical space, with the interconnecting rod delivered through the flexible delivery system in a controlled manner without requiring fluoroscopic guidance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The delivery system employs a flexible, catheter-like structure that can bend and navigate around bony obstructions and anatomical features. This flexible delivery system allows the interconnecting rod to be delivered through narrow pathways and around obstacles without requiring radiation-based navigation, as the flexibility itself provides the navigation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Ease of operation

If rigid delivery systems are used for interconnecting rod insertion, then straightforward insertion is achieved, but the ability to navigate around bony obstructions and anatomical variations is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsertion simplicityVSAvoidnavigation around obstructions

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The delivery system transitions from a rigid state during initial insertion to a flexible state during navigation. The system can be inserted relatively straight, then conforms to the anatomical space and bends around bony obstructions. This dynamic adaptability allows both straightforward insertion and navigation around obstacles, with the flexible delivery system adjusting its configuration based on the anatomical requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 system minimizes soft tissue damage, reduces post-operative pain, and allows for shorter surgeries with fewer complications, enabling precise placement of implants across multiple vertebral levels while avoiding neural and vascular structures without extensive training or radiation.

Implementation Method 1

A method and apparatus for facilitating navigation of an implant using a magnetic targeting member and a magnetic introducer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic force: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS8333771B2System for pushing and pulling surgical implants into position in vivo via a tether

Publication Date: 2012.12.18 NUVASIVE INC

AI summary

The present invention describes a system suitable for guiding a biocompatible device to a target area within the body (in vivo) and method of using the same. The system includes a targeting member being constructed of, or having a steering material, which can be coupled to a biocompatible device. The system further includes one or more devices which are used to maneuver the targeting member into position prior to attachment of the biocompatible device. The biocompatible device is traversed into position through the passageway created by the targeting member and secured to one or more anchoring members.