Pedicle Access Device with Facet-Conforming Tip

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional minimally invasive pedicle screw instrumentation techniques face challenges such as difficulty in accurately targeting the pedicle due to the Jamshidi needle slipping off the facet, risk of neural element injury from lateral to medial needle passage, and dislodgment of the K-wire during needle removal, leading to increased post-operative pain and extended recovery times.

Innovation Solution

A pedicle access device featuring a positioning needle with a specially designed tip that conforms to the superior facet of a vertebra, allowing secure docking without slipping, and an extended rod for reduced X-ray exposure, facilitating accurate placement of a K-wire and pedicle screw without muscle stripping.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a Jamshidi needle is used to access the pedicle, then the procedure can be performed minimally invasively, but the needle slips off the facet causing inaccurate targeting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveminimally invasive accessVSAvoidtargeting accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning needle incorporates a specially configured tip with a facet-complex conforming surface that provides localized secure engagement with the superior facet, while the rest of the needle maintains its minimally invasive Jamshidi design for percutaneous access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of relying on a pointed tip that may slip, the invention uses a flattened or conforming surface on the needle tip that interfaces with the facet complex in reverse geometry, distributing contact pressure to prevent slippage while maintaining access capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of operation

If the needle is passed from lateral to medial, then the pedicle can be accessed, but there is risk of neural element injury

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepedicle accessVSAvoidneural element injury risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning needle with secure facet engagement allows preliminary accurate positioning and verification before K-wire insertion, ensuring the trajectory is safe and correct before advancing deeper into the vertebral body where neural elements are at risk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning needle serves as an intermediary device that establishes accurate external positioning relative to the facet complex, allowing subsequent K-wire and screw insertion to follow the pre-established safe trajectory without direct manual manipulation near neural elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the Jamshidi needle is removed, then the procedure continues, but the K-wire becomes dislodged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneedle removalVSAvoidK-wire position stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device is segmented into a positioning needle component and a K-wire component, where the positioning needle can be independently removed after establishing accurate positioning, while the K-wire remains securely in place through the hollow rod to maintain stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hollow rod of the positioning needle acts as an intermediary conduit that guides and protects the K-wire during insertion and maintains its position after positioning needle removal, preventing dislodgment while allowing smooth transition between devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Measurement precision

If traditional open instrumentation is used, then accurate pedicle screw placement can be achieved, but significant muscle and ligamentous damage occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescrew placement accuracyVSAvoidmuscle and ligamentous damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the mechanical open surgical approach with a percutaneous fluoroscopy-guided system using a positioning needle with facet-complex conforming tip, achieving accurate pedicle screw placement through soft tissue without muscle stripping or ligamentous disruption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS8192443B2Pedicle access device

Publication Date: 2012.06.05 MI4SPINE

AI summary

A pedicle access device that has particular application for positioning a pedicle screw during a minimally invasive spinal fusion surgical procedure. The pedicle access device includes a positioning needle having a hollow tube and a specially designed tip that conforms with a facet complex of a vertebra proximate a pedicle. A targeting needle having a pointed end is inserted through the hollow tube of the positioning needle, and is secured thereto so the tip of the targeting needle extends out of the end of the positioning needle. The tip of the targeting needle allows the positioning needle to be accurately positioned on the pedicle, and the specially configured tip of the positioning needle allows it to be secured thereto without slipping.