Reference Array Adapter for Minimally Invasive Spinal Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Minimally invasive spinal surgery relies heavily on radiographic imaging and 3D navigation systems, which cause patient trauma, require expensive equipment, and lack neurophysiologic information about nerve proximity, necessitating improved systems for surgical navigation.
Innovation Solution
A reference array and bone anchor assembly system with an adapter that allows for customizable directionality and secure coupling to bone anchors, enabling reduced reliance on radiographic imaging by using a fiducial array and adapter components for precise surgical navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If 3D navigation systems with positional tracking are used to track implant and instrument positions, then spatial information regarding target surgical site is improved, but patient trauma increases due to requiring reference markers fixed to patient spine
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary reference array that can be attached to the patient's spine without requiring invasive fixation of tracking markers directly to bone. The array serves as a mediator between the navigation system and the surgical site, providing accurate spatial information while minimizing patient trauma through less invasive attachment methods
Solution Approach 2:
The reference array is segmented into multiple fiducial markers distributed across the array structure. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high spatial precision through multiple reference points while the overall array can be attached as a single unit, reducing the number of invasive procedures needed
2Measurement precision
If 3D navigation systems with positional tracking are used during surgery, then spatial information regarding implants and instruments is improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to requiring large specialized equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The reference array design is universal and can be used with multiple different navigation systems and surgical procedures. The standardized array structure with specific fiducial marker arrangements can serve multiple functions across different surgical contexts, reducing the need for specialized equipment for each procedure type
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses optical copying and image processing techniques where the physical positions of fiducial markers are copied into a digital reference model. This allows the navigation system to work with simplified optical data rather than requiring complex physical tracking infrastructure, reducing equipment complexity while maintaining precision
3Ease of operation
If traditional open surgical techniques are used to access spinal target site, then surgical access is improved, but tissue displacement and patient pain increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical open surgical access with a navigation-guided minimally invasive approach. Instead of physically exposing the surgical site through large incisions and extensive tissue displacement, the system uses optical tracking and image guidance to navigate instruments to the target site through small incisions, substituting mechanical exposure with navigational precision
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a reference array, a bone anchor, a receiver assembly coupled to the bone anchor, and an adapter axially locked with the receiver assembly. The adapter includes a proximal end coupled to the reference array and a distal end coupled to the receiver assembly.