Surgical Probe Inflatable Dilator Nerve Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current minimally invasive surgical procedures for spinal disc replacement and fusion face challenges in precisely dilating openings through soft tissue without damaging critical structures like nerves, as they require multiple tubular dilators and cause significant trauma to tissues.
Innovation Solution
A cannulated probe with an inflatable dilator and an electrode is used to guide precise placement and dilation, allowing for the expansion of tissue adjacent to the spinal column, minimizing trauma and avoiding nerve damage by using an electrical signal to confirm correct location and inflate the dilator only when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple tubular dilators are used sequentially to dilate tissue, then the opening size is increased to provide access to the spinal column, but the time required for the procedure increases and tissue trauma increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dilator is segmented into multiple expandable segments that can be extended independently along the probe shaft. This allows progressive dilation from a single insertion point, eliminating the need for multiple sequential dilators and reducing procedure time while maintaining controlled tissue expansion.
Solution Approach 2:
The dilator transitions from a static, fixed-size structure to a dynamic, adjustable structure. The expandable segments can be extended or retracted based on the required opening size, allowing the same device to adapt to different surgical needs without requiring multiple fixed-size dilators.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple tubular dilators are used sequentially to dilate tissue, then the opening size is increased to provide access to the spinal column, but the tissue trauma increases
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented design allows gradual, controlled expansion of tissue rather than forcing through multiple rigid dilators. Each segment can be extended incrementally, distributing the mechanical stress on tissue and reducing trauma while achieving the necessary opening size.
Solution Approach 2:
The dilator's physical parameters (diameter, length) are changed dynamically during the procedure by extending or retracting segments. This allows optimization of the dilation process to match tissue characteristics and surgical requirements, minimizing trauma while achieving adequate access.
3Loss of information
If fluoroscopy is used to guide probe placement, then the location can be visualized, but the precision in avoiding critical structures such as nerves is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The probe incorporates sensors that provide real-time feedback about tissue characteristics and proximity to critical structures. This feedback mechanism allows the surgeon to adjust probe placement and dilation parameters dynamically, achieving higher precision in avoiding nerves and other sensitive structures than fluoroscopy alone can provide.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces reliance on mechanical imaging (fluoroscopy) with direct sensing and feedback mechanisms integrated into the probe itself. This substitution provides more precise, real-time information about tissue properties and critical structure locations, enabling more accurate probe placement and dilation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method reduces the time and trauma associated with tissue dilation, providing a clear workspace for surgical procedures while ensuring the safety of surrounding tissues by allowing for precise visualization and access to the spinal column.
Implementation Method 1
An electrical signal can be supplied through the electrode and a resulting response can be interpreted to identify nerves, vascular, and muscular structures in the vicinity of the electrode on the distal tip of the probe
Implementation Method 2
an inflatable member surrounds a cannula portion of the probe and expands radially outwardly, to displace surrounding soft tissue when the probe is in a selected location and thereby provide space adjacent to an anatomical structure where surgical attention is required
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical probe and a method for forming and enlarging an access opening through a psoas muscle to provide for minimally invasive lateral approach for surgical access to a lumber intervertebral disc. A distal end portion of the probe is equipped with an electrode useful for confirming proper location of the probe and includes an inflatable dilator body for enlarging an access opening through tissue adjacent to a spinal column. The probe includes a cannula through which a K wire can be extended to anchor the probe to a patient.