Percutaneous Pedicle Screw Extensions for Spinal Instrument Clashing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In minimally invasive spinal procedures, the natural curvature of the spine often causes instruments to obstruct each other, leading to clashing issues during pedicle screw placement and rod insertion, which has been inadequately addressed by modifying insertion angles or instrument design.
Innovation Solution
A percutaneous pedicle screw delivery system with adjustable extension geometries, where one pedicle screw assembly's wider extension can fit within the space defined by another's narrower extension, allowing for intersecting blades to guide rod insertion and accommodate anatomical variations, and the option to detach blades to avoid obstruction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional spinal fixation procedures are used with wide incisions and direct visualization, then surgical precision and control are improved, but tissue trauma and recovery time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical procedure is divided into percutaneous needle insertion, fluoroscopic guidance for precise screw placement, and staged rod insertion. This segmentation allows minimally invasive access while maintaining surgical precision through sequential controlled steps rather than requiring wide open exposure
Solution Approach 2:
Fluoroscopy serves as an intermediary imaging modality that guides needle and screw placement without requiring direct visual exposure. This intermediary technology enables precise placement through small incisions by providing real-time radiographic feedback to the surgeon
2Object-affected harmful factors
If minimally invasive percutaneous pedicle screw placement is used, then tissue trauma is reduced, but instrument obstruction and clashing occur due to spinal curvature
Solution Approach 1:
The extension geometries are designed to be adaptable to different spinal curvatures and anatomical variations. The system dynamically adjusts to patient-specific anatomy by allowing different extension configurations that prevent instrument clashing while maintaining percutaneous access advantages
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces extensions with specific geometries that extend in controlled dimensions from the pedicle screws. By carefully designing the spatial arrangement and orientation of these extensions, the system resolves instrument obstruction problems in curved spines by utilizing additional spatial dimensions rather than requiring direct linear access
3Ease of operation
If extensions are added to pedicle screws to facilitate percutaneous rod placement, then rod insertion is enabled, but instrument clashing and obstruction increase
Solution Approach 1:
Extensions are added only to specific pedicle screws where needed for percutaneous rod placement, rather than modifying all screws uniformly. The extensions are localized to the coupling elements that require rod engagement, maintaining simplicity in other areas of the construct
Solution Approach 2:
The extension geometry is designed so that one extension can fit within the space defined by another extension's wider configuration. This nesting capability allows extensions to be positioned closely together without clashing, enabling rod insertion while minimizing the space required and reducing overall system complexity
4Measurement precision
If blades are attached to coupling elements for rod guidance, then rod alignment is improved, but blade intersection and obstruction occur
Solution Approach 1:
The blades are designed with asymmetric geometries where one blade has a wider extension than the other. This asymmetry allows the narrower blade to fit within the space defined by the wider blade's extension, enabling both blades to coexist without intersection or obstruction while still providing rod alignment guidance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent provides options to replicate the same pedicle screw assembly configuration on both sides of the spine or to use mirror-image configurations. This copying approach ensures consistent rod alignment while adapting to the specific anatomical constraints of each patient's spinal curvature
Data Source
AI summary
A method of percutaneous implantation of a pedicle screw system comprising the steps of implanting a first pedicle screw assembly in a first vertebra, the first pedicle screw assembly including a first coupling element connected with a first extension defining a first space and implanting a second pedicle screw assembly in a second vertebra, the second pedicle screw assembly including a second coupling element connected with a second extension and intersecting at least one a portion of the second extension with the first space.