Screw-Based Retractor for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current minimally invasive spine surgery techniques face challenges in maintaining small incisions and achieving adequate access for rod introduction during spinal fusions, often requiring additional incisions or larger incisions, which limits the procedure's minimally invasive nature and flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A minimally invasive screw-based retractor system that is removably attached to pedicle bone screws, allowing for polyaxial rotation and expansion, enabling multiple retraction directions and facilitating the insertion of instruments and implants while maintaining a small incision size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If standard hand-held surgical retractors are used, then the incision can be kept small, but manual manipulation is required to maintain placement, occupying one hand of the physician
Solution Approach 1:
The retractor system attaches itself to the pedicle screw that is already in place, eliminating the need for manual holding. The screw acts as an anchor point, allowing the retractor to maintain its position autonomously during the procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The retractor is divided into separate components: a retractor body with blades and a separate attachment mechanism that connects to the pedicle screw. This segmentation allows the retractor to be positioned and secured independently without requiring continuous manual manipulation.
2Ease of operation
If typical retractors are levered back to hold the wound open, then access is maintained, but they frequently require re-positioning if they dislodge or obstruct the physician's view
Solution Approach 1:
The retractor is pre-attached to the pedicle screw before the surgical procedure begins. This preliminary attachment ensures that the retractor is already in the correct position and secured, eliminating the need for re-positioning during the procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The retractor is designed as a disposable device that is attached to a single-use or implantable pedicle screw. This combination provides stable, long-lasting fixation without the need for re-positioning, and the disposable nature ensures sterility and eliminates cleaning/maintenance time.
3Area of stationary object
If a single small incision is used for rod introduction, then minimally invasive benefits are maintained, but access and visibility are extremely limited
Solution Approach 1:
The retractor blades can be spread apart in multiple directions (cephalad-caudal, medial-lateral, anterior-posterior) to create a three-dimensional working space through a single small incision. This multi-directional expansion provides extensive access and visibility without requiring multiple incisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The retractor is designed with movable blades that can be dynamically adjusted and spread to different positions. This dynamic capability allows the surgical field to be expanded and reconfigured as needed during the procedure, providing versatile access through a single incision.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple small incisions are used instead of one large incision, then post-operative pain and recovery time are reduced, but the need for extensive tissue and muscle retraction remains
Solution Approach 1:
The retractor combines multiple functions into a single device: it provides retraction, maintains incision patency, and facilitates rod introduction all through one small incision site. This consolidation eliminates the need for multiple incisions and extensive tissue retraction while maintaining all necessary surgical capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
A device, system and method for orthopedic spine surgery using a novel screw-based retractor, disclosed herein, that allows for access to the spine through a minimally or less invasive approach. The retractor device is designed to be coupled to a pedicle screw and then to have opposed arms of the retractor spread apart to open the wound proximally. The retractor is removed by pulling it out of the wound whereby the retractor is deformed to pass over the pedicle screw head. The retractor is intended to be made of a stiff plastic material, sterile packaged and disposable after one use. A system and method for using the retractor and performing a minimally invasive spine surgical procedure are also disclosed.