Percutaneous Spinal Implant for Minimally Invasive Vertebral Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal fusion procedures are invasive and carry significant morbidity, with a need for improved vertebral stabilizing devices and methods that minimize tissue disruption and promote effective fusion.
Innovation Solution
A percutaneous arthrodesis system and method involving a spinal implant with an elongate cannulated insertion tool and lockshaft, allowing for minimally invasive insertion and fixation of implants between vertebrae, using a guide wire and dilators to access the disc space and facilitate bone grafting and facet screw placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If traditional open spinal fusion procedures (ALIF, PLIF, TLIF) are used, then adequate visualization and access to disc space is achieved, but significant tissue disruption, muscle retraction, and surgical morbidity occur
Solution Approach 1:
The procedure is divided into separate percutaneous steps: disc space access through needle puncture, implant insertion through the same access, and facet screw placement through separate percutaneous approaches. This segmentation eliminates the need for large open incisions and extensive muscle dissection while maintaining adequate visualization through fluoroscopic guidance at each stage.
Solution Approach 2:
Fluoroscopic imaging serves as an intermediary to provide visualization of the disc space and implant placement without requiring direct visual exposure through large incisions. The guide wire and dilators act as intermediaries to establish the access path and facilitate implant insertion through minimal puncture sites.
2Loss of information
If large incisions and extensive muscle retraction are made to access the spine, then direct visualization of anatomical structures is improved, but patient morbidity and recovery time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical system of direct visual exposure through large incisions is replaced with fluoroscopic imaging guidance. This allows anatomical structures to be visualized radiographically without the need for extensive muscle retraction and direct surgical exposure, significantly reducing tissue trauma and recovery time.
Solution Approach 2:
Radiopaque markers and contrast materials are used to enhance fluoroscopic visualization of anatomical structures and implant placement. These radiopaque elements provide clear visual information on fluoroscopic images, enabling adequate anatomical visualization without open surgical exposure.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If percutaneous approach is used to minimize tissue disruption, then surgical morbidity is reduced, but adequate visualization and precise implant placement becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Fluoroscopic imaging provides real-time feedback during the percutaneous procedure, allowing the surgeon to visualize needle placement, guide wire position, dilator advancement, and implant insertion. This continuous radiographic feedback ensures precise implant placement while maintaining the benefits of the minimally invasive percutaneous approach.
4Reliability
If traditional interbody fusion implants are used, then bone grafting and fusion promotion is achieved, but the procedure requires extensive surgical exposure and tissue retraction
Solution Approach 1:
The disc space access and interbody implant insertion are merged into a single percutaneous step. The same needle puncture site used for disc space access is also used for implant insertion, eliminating the need for separate incisions and reducing procedural complexity while maintaining effective bone grafting and fusion promotion.
Data Source
AI summary
A spinal implant to correct disc compression is presented. The implant has proximal and distal ends, and is sized for insertion between two adjacent vertebrae.