Oblong Tissue Distraction Assembly for Spinal Fusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical methods for accessing spinal discs often require extensive tissue retraction and additional steps to place pedicle screws, which can be invasive and complicated, especially when trying to achieve stability and fusion between vertebrae.
Innovation Solution
A tissue distraction assembly with an oblong shape, comprising an initial dilator, secondary dilator, and expanders, allows for sequential dilation and biased distraction corridors, enabling the placement of pedicle screws without additional tissue retraction, using friction elements and tapered surfaces to guide instruments and expand the operative corridor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional surgical methods are used to access spinal discs, then the surgeon can reach the target site, but extensive tissue retraction is required which increases tissue damage and surgical complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical access system is divided into multiple sequential dilators (initial dilator, secondary dilator, third dilator) that progressively expand the operative corridor. Each dilator creates a staged pathway, allowing incremental tissue separation without requiring extensive retraction of surrounding structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from circular dilators to oblong-shaped dilators with non-circular cross-sections. This dimensional change allows the distraction corridor to span the target disc space effectively and enables pedicle screw placement at adjacent levels without additional tissue retraction, as the oblong shape provides directional bias for instrument passage.
2Ease of operation
If additional steps are taken to place pedicle screws, then screw placement is achieved, but the surgical process becomes more complicated and invasive
Solution Approach 1:
The oblong-shaped dilators serve multiple functions: they create the distraction corridor, guide instrument placement, and enable both disc space access and pedicle screw placement through the same pathway. The expanders can be positioned on different sides of the secondary dilator to bias the corridor in different directions, providing versatility for various surgical needs without requiring additional retraction steps.
3Ease of manufacture
If circular dilators are used for sequential dilation, then the dilation process is straightforward, but the distraction corridor cannot effectively span the target disc space for pedicle screw placement
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs oblong-shaped dilators with non-circular cross-sections instead of traditional circular dilators. This asymmetric geometry allows the distraction corridor to be biased in specific directions (medially or laterally) and effectively span the target disc space, enabling pedicle screw placement at adjacent levels through the same corridor without requiring additional tissue retraction.
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 approach reduces tissue damage and simplifies the surgical process by creating a controlled operative corridor for spinal procedures like fusion, allowing for more precise and minimally invasive access to intervertebral disc spaces.
Implementation Method 1
The lead element is tapered in a distal direction from the planar panels to the leading edge to enable the lead element to advance through tissue (e.g. muscle tissue) without requiring severing or removal of that tissue
Implementation Method 2
The distal end portion further includes a distal tapered surface that slopes in a distal direction from the first surface until it forms an edge with the second surface. Both the distal tapered surface and lateral tapered surfaces function to urge the body tissue around the path of the dilator
Implementation Method 3
The proximal portion further includes a proximal opening of the lumen, and a plurality of friction elements provided to enhance user control of the instrument
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for performing spine surgery, including a tissue distraction assembly. The tissue distraction assembly includes an initial dilator, a secondary dilator, a first expander, and a second expander. The tissue distraction assembly is provided with an overall generally oblong shape. The tissue distraction assembly provides for asymmetrical tissue distraction in a single direction.