Prone Lateral Spine Fixation for Bilateral Disc Space Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current prone lateral spine surgery techniques require the use of a bolster to prevent patient and spine movement, which is time-consuming, limits access to one side of the spine, and poses risks of neurological injury if mispositioned.

Innovation Solution

An internal fixation system for spinal surgery that includes a lateral lumbar interbody fusion retractor, a posterior compressor/distractor, and cannulated pedicle screws, which are mounted to a surgical table to stabilize the spine and allow access from both sides without a bolster.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a bolster is used to prevent patient and spine movement during prone surgery, then surgical stability is improved, but access to the spine is limited to one side and positioning time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical stabilityVSAvoidaccess to spine

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The surgical stabilization system is divided into separate modular components: a table-mounted stabilization device that secures the patient's torso, and a posterior compressor/distractor device that independently stabilizes the spine. This segmentation allows the surgeon to access either side of the spine without moving the patient or adjusting a bulky bolster, as each component performs a specific stabilization function independently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The table-mounted stabilization device acts as an intermediary between the surgical table and the patient's torso, providing stable positioning without requiring a bolster against the abdomen. The posterior compressor/distractor serves as an intermediary mechanism between the surgeon's instruments and the spine, enabling controlled access and stabilization from either lateral approach.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If a bolster is positioned before patient positioning, then spine movement is prevented, but repositioning becomes time-consuming and risky if mispositioned

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespine movement preventionVSAvoidrepositioning time

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The table-mounted stabilization device is installed and configured on the surgical table before the patient is positioned, establishing the stabilization framework in advance. The posterior compressor/distractor is then attached after patient positioning, allowing the system to be pre-prepared without requiring premature patient positioning or risky adjustments during surgery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The stabilization system is designed to be dynamically adjustable during surgery. The table-mounted device can be positioned and secured before patient placement, and the posterior compressor/distractor can be adjusted intraoperatively to accommodate different surgical needs and patient anatomies, eliminating the need for time-consuming repositioning if initial setup is suboptimal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If a bolster is used to stabilize the patient, then surgical safety is improved, but the complexity of surgical setup increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical safetyVSAvoidsurgical setup

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The table-mounted stabilization device utilizes the existing surgical table structure for support, eliminating the need for a separate bolster and its complex positioning requirements. The posterior compressor/distractor integrates stabilization functions directly into the surgical instrumentation, reducing the number of separate components and simplifying the overall setup while maintaining surgical safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS12485023B2Systems and methods for prone lateral spine surgery

Publication Date: 2025.12.02 PERSPECTIVE TECHNOLOGIES LLC

AI summary

Internal fixation systems and methods for prone lateral spine surgery on a patient. The system comprises a lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) retractor and a posterior compressor/distractor including a posterior distractor rack assembly having a rack and a posterior distractor carriage assembly configured to operably engage the posterior distractor rack assembly. The posterior distractor rack assembly includes a first swivel tube subassembly having a first swivel tube, and the posterior distractor carriage assembly includes a second swivel tube subassembly having a second swivel tube. The first and second swivel tubes are each configured to receive a pedicle screw and screw tower therein. The first and second swivel tube subassemblies are configured to be moved and positioned with respect to each other, such that a surgeon can access the patient's disc space from the left and right sides, and without the need for a bolster.