Segmented Surgical Retractor for Lumbar Disc Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal surgery techniques face challenges in accessing lumbar disc spaces due to the location of musculature and neural structures, which can lead to difficulties in providing stability and effectively treating spinal disorders such as scoliosis, degenerative disc disease, and osteoporosis.
Innovation Solution
A surgical system featuring a retractor with interlocking blades and wedges that allows for a safe and controlled pathway to the lumbar disc spaces, utilizing an oblique lateral interbody fusion procedure to minimize disruption of muscles and nerves, and includes a method for displacing the psoas muscle posteriorly to create a clear surgical corridor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a direct lateral approach is used to access lumbar disc spaces, then access to the disc spaces is achieved, but musculature and neural structures are disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The retractor device is divided into multiple blades (first retractor blade and second retractor blade) that can be independently positioned and locked. This segmentation allows the blades to be placed at specific locations to create a surgical corridor while preserving surrounding structures. The modular design with locking mechanisms enables precise control over the retraction forces applied to different tissue layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The retractor blades serve as intermediary structures between the surgical instrument and the target lumbar disc space. The blades first retract and protect the psoas muscle and other critical structures, creating a protected pathway. This intermediary approach allows surgical instruments to access the disc space without directly disrupting the underlying musculature and neural structures.
2Reliability
If traditional spinal surgery techniques are used, then spinal disorders can be treated, but muscle fibers must be teased apart and nerves disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The retractor blades are positioned and locked in place before surgical instruments are introduced. This preliminary retraction creates a stable, protected surgical corridor in advance, allowing subsequent surgical operations to proceed without the need to disrupt muscle fibers or nerves during instrument insertion. The preliminary action of retraction protects critical structures throughout the surgical procedure.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a safe pathway is created to lumbar disc spaces, then tissue disruption is minimized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retractor blades are designed to be movable relative to each other, allowing dynamic adjustment of the surgical corridor width and position. The blades can be inserted in a closed or partially closed configuration and then opened to the required degree to expose the surgical site. This dynamic capability provides flexibility in creating safe pathways while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The retractor is segmented into multiple independent blades with individual locking mechanisms. This segmentation allows each blade to be optimized for its specific function while keeping the overall design modular and manageable. The independent locking features simplify the complexity by providing discrete, controllable retraction points rather than requiring a complex integrated mechanism.
Data Source
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AI summary
A surgical instrument includes a first member having an inner surface and an outer surface. A second member has an inner surface and an outer surface. At least one of the inner surfaces defines at least one mating element and the outer surfaces are engageable with tissue. The members are relatively movable between a first configuration and a second configuration to space the tissue and define an opening between the members. At least one third member defines at least one mating element engageable with the at least one mating element of the inner surface such that the at least one third member is disposed within the opening. Systems and methods are disclosed.