Neurosurgery Retractor Port with Integrated Navigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing minimally invasive neurosurgery tools face challenges in safely increasing their diameter, which can lead to tissue damage due to the need for larger diameters to accommodate neuro navigation and monitoring technologies.

Innovation Solution

Design modifications to access retractor ports and locator rods, including the incorporation of a gasket and integration of neuro navigation and monitoring technologies, aim to reduce tissue trauma by minimizing open spaces and providing continuous feedback during surgery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the diameter of minimally invasive neurosurgery tools is increased to accommodate neuro navigation and monitoring technologies, then the capability to perform neuro navigation and monitoring is improved, but tissue damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapability to perform neuro navigation and monitoringVSAvoidtissue damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates neuro navigation and monitoring technologies within the existing retractor port structure by nesting sensors and navigation components inside the retractor port. This allows the tools to accommodate advanced technologies without increasing their external diameter, thereby avoiding tissue damage while maintaining the capability to perform neuro navigation and monitoring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple functions (retraction, neuro navigation, and neuro monitoring) into a single integrated retractor port system. By merging these functions, the system eliminates the need for separate larger-diameter tools, thus preventing tissue damage while providing comprehensive neurosurgical capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a gasket is incorporated into the retractor port, then tissue preservation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue preservationVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a gasket into the retractor port design to create a seal that prevents tissue prolapse and herniation. The gasket acts as a flexible barrier that maintains tissue integrity while allowing the retractor port to function. Although this adds a component, the gasket is a relatively simple element that provides significant tissue protection benefits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS20250114087A1Modifications to access ports for minimally invasive neuro surgery

Publication Date: 2025.04.10 TRIMARCHE ROBERT

AI summary

An access port or retractor tube provides access through tissue to a surgical site or field, such as at the brain or spine, in a minimally invasive manner. The access port permits a user to clearly view and access the surgical field, including areas medial thereto, in a minimally invasive manner by dilating or separating tissue rather than cutting tissue. Neuro monitoring and neuro navigation are tools essential to neuro surgery to protect vital and eloquent tissues. Combining navigation and monitoring into the access ports/retractor tubes would enable the surgeon to be more precise and efficient during minimally invasive procedures while still being maximally effective in protecting non operative tissues.