MRI-Guided Surgical Platform for Spinal Cord Targeting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for treating spinal cord injuries or damage are invasive and rely heavily on preoperative imaging and intra-operative visual inspection, lacking effective and accurate delivery of therapies to the spinal cord, necessitating invasive surgeries like laminectomy.
Innovation Solution
A surgical guide system incorporating an MRI-compatible imaging guide with radiofrequency coils and a platform that allows for precise positioning of instruments within the spinal cord area, enabling real-time imaging and minimally invasive therapy delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If preoperative imaging and intra-operative visual inspection are used to locate targets, then the treatment can be performed with current methods, but invasive surgery (e.g., multi-level laminectomy) is required to provide intra-operative access to the spinal cord
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary imaging and target localization using MRI before the actual therapy delivery. The surgical guide is planned and prepared based on preoperative MRI scans, allowing the actual surgical intervention to be minimally invasive while maintaining accurate target delivery through预先 prepared guidance pathways.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a MRI-compatible surgical guide system as an intermediary between the imaging system and the therapy delivery instrument. This guide provides real-time visualization and physical guidance during the procedure, enabling accurate target delivery through minimally invasive approaches without requiring extensive open surgery.
2Ease of operation
If invasive surgery is performed to provide access to the spinal cord, then direct visual inspection is possible, but the procedure becomes more invasive and recovery is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of open surgical exposure with an imaging-based guidance system. Instead of mechanically exposing the spinal cord through laminectomy to enable visual inspection, the system uses MRI-compatible imaging coils and real-time MRI imaging to provide visual information through non-invasive means.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates an imaging copy or representation of the spinal cord anatomy through MRI scans. This imaging copy allows for virtual inspection and planning without requiring physical exposure, and the surgical guide uses this imaging data to guide the actual minimally invasive procedure.
3Measurement precision
If real-time imaging is implemented during the procedure, then accurate target delivery is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical guide system is designed to be MRI-compatible and can be used within the existing MRI scanner environment. The imaging coils are integrated into the guide structure, allowing the same device to serve both as the imaging element and the surgical guidance framework, reducing the need for separate complex imaging and surgical systems.
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
This system facilitates accurate and less-invasive delivery of therapies to the spinal cord, reducing the need for invasive surgeries and improving post-operative outcomes by providing direct visualization and real-time guidance during procedures.
Implementation Method 1
Both injury (trauma) and disease can damage the spine and lead to a wide host of symptoms including pain, weakness, paralysis and even incontinence. Regardless of the cause, damage to the spine, and more specifically, the spinal cord, is highly challenging to treat
Implementation Method 2
The imaging coils may be radiofrequency coils
Data Source
AI summary
Devices and systems can be configured to guide an instrument to a target region. The guide system may include an imaging guide including a first segment, the first segment including a guide region and imaging coils surrounding the guide region; and a platform. The platform may include a first rail, a second rail disposed parallel to the first rail, and a positioning member disposed between the first rail and the second rail. The positioning member may include a positioning frame having an entry region. The positioning frame may be movably disposed with respect to the first and second rails in a first direction and a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction. The platform may be disposed with respect to the imaging guide so that a position of the entry region is within the guide region.