Percutaneous Transverse Connector for Spinal Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current minimally invasive spinal surgery techniques lack the ability to percutaneously insert transverse connectors, which are essential for adding rigidity to spinal instrumentation constructs, requiring invasive open surgery and resulting in longer recovery times and tissue trauma.
Innovation Solution
A transverse rod installation instrument assembly that allows for percutaneous insertion of transverse rods by using a pivoting installation instrument mounted to rod clamp extenders, enabling the rods to be secured across vertebrae with minimal muscle dissection through a minimally invasive incision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If transverse connectors are inserted through open surgery, then the rigidity and stability of spinal instrumentation constructs is improved, but the tissue trauma, recovery time, and invasiveness worsen
Solution Approach 1:
A percutaneous transverse connector system is introduced as an intermediary solution that enables transverse rod insertion through minimal incisions using specialized instruments and guide wires, avoiding the need for large open surgical exposures while still achieving the mechanical stability provided by transverse connectors
2Ease of operation
If open surgery is used to insert transverse connectors, then the ability to place transverse connectors is improved, but the recovery time and patient satisfaction worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The traditional mechanical open surgical approach is replaced with a percutaneous minimally invasive technique that uses specialized instruments, guide wires, and imaging guidance to achieve transverse connector placement through small incisions, significantly reducing tissue disruption and recovery time
3Object-affected harmful factors
If percutaneous route is used for transverse connector insertion, then the tissue trauma and recovery time are improved, but the ability to securely insert transverse connectors worsens
Solution Approach 1:
Guide wires and templates are inserted through minimal incisions beforehand to pre-establish the precise trajectory and positioning for transverse connector insertion, ensuring accurate placement and secure fixation while maintaining the benefits of minimally invasive access
Solution Approach 2:
Specialized percutaneous instruments and guide wires serve as intermediaries that bridge the gap between minimal incisions and the deep spinal structures, enabling reliable transverse connector insertion through a controlled, image-guided percutaneous pathway
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for stabilizing a spine of an animal subject involving a transverse rod installation instrument assembly for inserting a transverse rod on the spine of a subject percutaneously comprising: a first rod clamp extender mounted on a ipsilateral rod clamp and a second rod clamp extender mounted on a contralateral rod clamp wherein the ipsilateral rod clamp and the contralateral rod clamp are secured to a vertebra at the ipsilateral and contralateral pedicle; and a pivoting installation instrument pivotably mounted to the first rod clamp extender and the second rod clamp extender to pass a transverse rod percutaneously through a head portion of the ipsilateral side rod clamp and to the head portion of the contralateral rod clamp after passing through a spinous process of the vertebra through pivot axis “A” such that the transverse rod is secured at the head portion of the ipsilateral rod clamp and the head portion of the contralateral rod clamp.