Surgical Rigid Arm Alignment Guide for Stable Lateral Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spinal surgery instruments, particularly for lateral access, suffer from instability due to the 'springboard effect' and require excessive use of X-ray imaging, which complicates alignment and access to the surgical site.
Innovation Solution
The development of surgical rigid arms and alignment guides that provide rigid support and precise positioning of surgical instruments using telescopic segments, linear actuators, and adjustable joints, allowing for stable attachment to the surgical bed and minimizing the need for X-ray alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If clamps with long extended arms are used to connect the retractor system away from the surgical site, then the retractor can be positioned for access, but the springboard effect prevents rigid positioning and stability
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid arm assembly transitions from a horizontal configuration (prone to springboard effect) to a vertical configuration anchored at the head and foot of the surgical bed. This dimensional change eliminates the lever arm that causes the springboard effect while maintaining access to the lateral surgical site through the central portion extending over the bed interior.
2Measurement precision
If X-ray imaging is used to align the retractor assembly, then positioning can be achieved, but considerable time and effort is required to move equipment and perform alignment
Solution Approach 1:
Alignment markers are pre-integrated into the rigid arm assembly structure, with first markers on the vertical arms and a second marker on the central portion. This preliminary configuration allows direct visual alignment with the surgical site without requiring time-consuming X-ray imaging or equipment repositioning, as the markers are already in their functional positions.
3Ease of operation
If sequential dilators are used to create the surgical path, then access can be established, but excessive tissue displacement occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical access system is segmented into multiple components: rigid arm for stabilization, alignment guide for precise positioning, and controlled dilation mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its function optimally - the rigid arm prevents movement, the alignment guide ensures accurate positioning, and the dilation can be controlled to minimize tissue displacement while establishing surgical access.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a surgical rigid arm (100, 150, 200, 900) includes a first portion (102, 152, 202, 902), a second portion (103, 153, 203, 903) and a central portion (105, 154, 205, 906), where the central portion is extends between the first and second portions. A first end of the first portion and a second end of the second portion are each attached to a peripheral side (14) of a surgical bed (10, 30) such that the first portion and the second portion extend from the surgical bed in a first direction. The central portion extends substantially horizontally and is positioned over the surgical bed, the central portion being connected to the surgical instrument such that a load from the surgical instrument is distributed across the central portion to the first portion and second portion to provide rigid support for the surgical instrument.