Surgical Retractor Component System for Pedicle Screw Placement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In minimally invasive spinal surgery, existing methods for placing pedicle screws through a retractor often result in inadequate visualization using fluoroscopy, leading to less accurate placement and complications.
Innovation Solution
A surgical retractor component system that allows for the percutaneous placement of pedicle screw assemblies and extenders, enabling direct visualization of spine anatomy and ideal retractor placement by building the retractor off the pedicle screw assemblies and extenders.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If pedicle screws are placed through a retractor using sequentially dilating tubes, then the surgical procedure can be performed minimally invasively, but the placement accuracy is reduced due to imprecise tube placement and inadequate fluoroscopy visualization
Solution Approach 1:
The retractor is installed first to create and maintain a stable working passage and provide fluoroscopy visualization, enabling accurate pedicle screw placement to follow. This preliminary action resolves the contradiction by establishing the necessary conditions for precision before the actual screw placement occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The retractor serves as an intermediary device that facilitates both fluoroscopy visualization and mechanical access to the spinal anatomy. It mediates between the external surgical field and the internal target site, allowing accurate screw placement through its structured passage system.
2Ease of operation
If a retractor is installed first to create a working passage, then minimally invasive access is achieved, but subsequent pedicle screw placement accuracy is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The retractor system is segmented into multiple functional components including blades for tissue retraction, a frame for structural support, and integrated fluoroscopy access pathways. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function while collectively providing both ease of access and precision capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The retractor is designed as a multi-functional device that simultaneously provides tissue retraction, maintains a stable working passage, enables fluoroscopy visualization, and guides pedicle screw placement. This universality resolves the contradiction by combining what were previously separate functions into a single integrated system.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A blade assembly has a blade body and a blade body surround. A retractor attachment structure is attached to the blade body at the first end portion thereof extending from an exterior surface thereof. The retractor attachment structure is configured for having one of the blade body mounting structures of the retractor engaged therewith in a manner whereby the blade body is independently pivotable about and translatable along the blade body mounting structure. An alignment member protrudes from an interior surface of the blade body adjacent its first end portion. A slot extends through the blade body at its first end portion. The blade body surround and the blade body jointly form a generally cylindrical-shaped structure when the blade body is in a seated position within the slot. The cylindrical structure defines a central passage extending between the first and second end portions of blade body surround.