Non-linear Bone Channel Creation for Vertebral Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for vertebral compression fractures, such as vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty, face challenges in adequately stabilizing weakened cancellous bone, leading to potential spinal deformity and complications, as they either fail to adequately heal or alter the bone structure.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for creating non-linear channels within cancellous bone using an elongated member and cannula system, allowing for the deployment of bone filler material into these channels to stabilize and support the bone structure without causing significant structural alteration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If vertebroplasty is performed by injecting bone filler material directly into the fractured vertebral body, then the procedure is simple and quick, but the bone filler material may not be adequately distributed and the natural bone structure is altered
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the vertebral body into multiple channels through which bone filler material is delivered. Instead of a single injection, multiple channels are created to segment the delivery process, allowing for more precise and adequate distribution of bone filler material throughout the fractured vertebral body while maintaining the simplicity of the percutaneous approach
2Volume of stationary object
If Kyphoplasty is performed using balloons to create a cavity, then the cancellous bone is compacted to create space, but the natural bone structure is significantly altered
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts or removes only the damaged cancellous bone tissue along the channel paths, rather than compacting and altering the entire bone structure as in Kyphoplasty. This selective removal creates channels that provide space for bone filler material while preserving the surrounding natural bone structure and its integrity
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple channels are created in the cancellous bone, then bone filler material distribution is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elongated member is designed to perform multiple functions: it can be advanced through the cannula to create channels, then retracted, and this process can be repeated to create multiple channels. The same device components are used for all channel creation operations, avoiding the need for multiple specialized devices and reducing overall system complexity while achieving precise bone filler material distribution through multiple channels
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to devices and methods for creating channels within bone. One method for treating bone generally includes traversing an elongated member through cancellous bone of a vertebral body along a first generally non-linear path and then retracting the elongated member, thereby leaving a generally non-linear channel. The elongated member then is traversed through the cancellous bone along a second generally non-linear path, which second path does not completely coincide with the first path and then retracted along the second generally nonlinear path, thereby leaving a second generally non-linear channel. Optionally, bone filler material is deployed into the channels.