Remote Spinal Manipulator with Flexible Cable Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for spinal surgery do not allow efficient and safe manipulation of the spine from a location other than the direct access point, particularly failing to enable simultaneous manipulation of both anterior and posterior aspects of the spine, and lack precise control over vertebral orientation and force distribution.
Innovation Solution
A remote spinal manipulator assembly with a compressor/distractor mechanism, flexible connection, and control mechanism that allows for simultaneous manipulation of the spine from a different approach, using a hinged lever to compress or distract vertebrae, and includes feedback mechanisms for precise control, and optionally a surgical table for adjusting spine orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a surgeon operates on the patient's spine using a posterior approach while located at the anterior side, then the surgeon can access the surgical site from a remote location, but the surgeon loses direct visual focus and control at the surgical site
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a remote manipulator system with a flexible connection portion that acts as an intermediary between the surgeon's control mechanism and the surgical site. The flexible connection transmits mechanical forces and movements from the surgeon's location to the compressor/distractor mechanism at the surgical site, enabling remote manipulation while maintaining surgical precision and control.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing devices are used to compress or distract the posterior side of the spine while the surgeon is located at the anterior side, then the surgeon can perform the operation from a different approach, but the manipulation is inefficient and unsafe
Solution Approach 1:
The remote manipulator system is divided into distinct functional segments: a control mechanism at the surgeon's location, a flexible connection portion for force transmission, and a compressor/distractor mechanism at the surgical site. This segmentation allows the surgeon to operate from a safe and comfortable location while maintaining precise control over spinal manipulation, thereby improving both reliability and adaptability.
3Productivity
If a surgeon simultaneously manipulates both the anterior and posterior sides of the spine, then comprehensive spinal surgery is enabled, but existing devices do not allow precise control of vertebral orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The remote manipulator system incorporates feedback mechanisms that provide real-time information about the position and orientation of the compressor/distractor mechanism at the surgical site. This feedback loop enables the surgeon to precisely control vertebral orientation during simultaneous manipulation of both anterior and posterior sides of the spine, ensuring accurate alignment and positioning.
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
Enables efficient and safe remote manipulation of the spine, allowing for improved vertebral orientation control and force distribution, enabling surgeons to perform complex spinal surgeries with improved precision and access from various angles.
Implementation Method 1
A flexible connection portion has a length, a proximal end, and a distal end, the distal end being operatively connected to the compressor/distractor mechanism. A control mechanism is operatively connected to the proximal end of the flexible connection portion. The control mechanism is configured to manipulate the flexible connection portion, thereby controlling the compressor/distractor mechanism to one of compress and distract the adjacent vertebrae
Implementation Method 2
The control mechanism includes a hinged lever, which is configured, upon compression thereof, to move an inner cable relative to an outer cable in the flexible connection portion, thereby compressing the compressor/distractor mechanism and compressing the adjacent vertebrae. In this embodiment, the hinged lever is further configured, upon expansion thereof, to increase the length of the flexible connection portion, thereby distracting the compressor/distractor mechanism, and distracting the adjacent vertebrae
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly for remotely manipulating a patient's spine. A compressor/distractor mechanism attaches to spinal anatomy or vertebral screws on adjacent vertebrae at a spinal surgical site on a patient's spine. A flexible cable is operatively connected to the compressor/distractor mechanism and to a control mechanism. The control mechanism manipulates the flexible cable, controlling the compressor/distractor mechanism to compress or distract the vertebrae. A rotatable surgical table with a remote control can be used in place of the compressor/distractor mechanism and the control mechanism. The rotatable surgical table can rotate the patient to place the spinal surgical site in a desired compressed or distracted position, and to place the patient in a desired orientation with respect to a horizontal reference plane. The assembly permits manipulation of the spine at the surgical site via a posterior approach, while the surgeon can also manipulate the spine at the surgical site via an anterior, lateral or oblique approach.