Minimally Invasive Spinal System Using Guide Wire Pathways
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical methods for implanting bone fixation devices often require multiple incisions and cause unnecessary trauma to soft tissues due to the lack of precise control and guidance in directing connecting elements during minimally invasive procedures.
Innovation Solution
A minimally invasive surgery system (MISS) that uses a combination of bone anchors, connecting rods, and specialized tools like Jamshidi needles, guidewires, dilation tools, and docking sleeves to accurately and precisely insert anchors and connecting members through minimal incisions, providing tactile feedback and guidance to minimize tissue damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a fixed geometric relationship instrument with pivoting brace inserter is used to guide the connecting element, then the connecting element can be directed into position, but another incision or opening must be made through the skin in addition to the openings required to insert the bone anchors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a guide wire as an intermediary element that is first inserted through the skin and bone to establish a precise pathway. Subsequent instruments and the connecting element follow this pre-established guide wire path, eliminating the need for additional incisions while maintaining precise guidance throughout the procedure
Solution Approach 2:
The guide wire is inserted in advance to pre-establish the insertion path through soft tissues and bone. This preliminary action creates a defined trajectory that subsequent instruments and the connecting element follow, allowing precise placement without requiring additional skin incisions or causing unnecessary tissue trauma
2Ease of operation
If the connecting element is manipulated to shift to perpendicular orientation to the insertion pathway, then the anchors can be connected, but the positioning remains relatively unguided relying significantly on surgeon skill and patience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs multiple guide wires and guide instruments as intermediaries that maintain precise spatial relationships between anchors. These guide elements provide continuous directional control during manipulation, enabling the connecting element to be oriented perpendicular to the insertion pathway while maintaining accurate positioning without relying solely on surgeon skill
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses dynamic guide instruments that can be adjusted and repositioned during the procedure to maintain optimal guidance throughout the manipulation process. The guide system adapts to the changing positions of anchors and the orientation requirements of the connecting element, providing continuous precision control
3Ease of manufacture
If multiple incisions are made to access the surgical site and insert implants, then the necessary implants can be placed, but unnecessary damage, injury, and trauma are caused to the patient's body
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated instrument system that can insert guide wires, place bone anchors, and insert connecting elements through the same skin incision. This merging of functions eliminates the need for multiple separate incisions, reducing tissue damage while maintaining full implant insertion capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs universal instruments with multiple functions that can perform various surgical tasks through a single access point. The same incision used for guide wire insertion is also used for anchor placement and connecting element insertion, making the surgical approach universally applicable to different implant types while minimizing tissue trauma
Data Source
AI summary
A minimally invasive surgical system for implanting pedicle screw assemblies to be connected by a spinal rod is disclosed. In one form, the system includes a plurality of holding mechanisms for the pedicle screw assemblies, each holding mechanism for being inserted through an incision and configured to receive tools along an axis thereof for driving a screw anchor of the pedicle screw assembly into a vertebra and securing the spinal rod thereto and a rod inserter that is configured to adjustably hold the rod and insert the rod through a common incision with one of the holding mechanism for being fed into position in an initial direction that is transverse to the axes of the holding mechanisms.