Posterolateral Spinal Access Tool for Minimally Invasive Fusion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal interbody fusion techniques pose risks to vascular structures, nerve roots, and bone tissues, and are invasive, leading to prolonged recovery times and potential complications.
Innovation Solution
A posterior to lateral approach method that initially begins as a posterior approach but deviates to a lateral access for disc fusion, minimizing tissue damage and avoiding sensitive structures by passing through muscle tissue, using a guide wire and cutting device with a retractable blade for minimally invasive procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional anterior, posterior, or lateral approaches are used to access the disc space, then the disc can be accessed for fusion, but there is increased risk to vascular structures, nerve roots, bone tissues, colon, or lumbar plexus
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a new spatial dimension for accessing the disc space by approaching it from a posterolateral direction rather than traditional anterior, posterior, or lateral approaches. This dimensional change in access pathway allows the surgeon to reach the disc space while avoiding critical structures that lie in the traditional approach paths, thereby reducing surgical risk without compromising the ability to perform the fusion.
2Productivity
If traditional surgical approaches are used to access the disc space, then the fusion procedure can be performed, but surgical trauma is increased and recovery time is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the surgical approach into distinct phases: initial posterolateral access through muscle tissue, precise positioning at the disc space, and then performing the fusion procedure. This segmentation allows for minimal disruption to surrounding tissues while maintaining effective access to the disc space, thereby reducing overall surgical trauma and enabling faster patient recovery.
3Reliability
If a lateral approach is used to access the disc space, then risk to nerve roots and bone tissues is reduced, but risk to the colon and lumbar plexus is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the lateral approach by introducing a posterolateral dimension, creating an angled pathway that combines advantages of both posterior and lateral approaches. This dimensional modification allows the surgical instruments to reach the disc space from a direction that avoids the colon and lumbar plexus while still maintaining reduced risk to nerve roots and bone tissues compared to traditional lateral approaches.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for accessing a disc space of a patient as a part of an interbody fusion, as well as the tools employed therewith. An exemplary method may include inserting a leading end of an tool into the patient's back at a location on the posterior surface that is laterally offset from a patient's spinous process and disc. The tool's initial entry into the patient may be from a posterior approach. As the tool is advanced along its designated path, it begins to deviate from the posterior approach towards a lateral approach. When the leading end reaches the disc, it may access the disc from a lateral or substantially lateral location. The tool may be used to access the disc location, to remove disc material, to deliver a cutting tool for removing the disc material, and other steps associated with the spinal interbody fusion procedure.