SI Joint Working Cannula for Minimally Invasive Fusion Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surgical methods for stabilizing the sacroiliac (SI) joint are invasive, causing significant trauma and risk to neurovascular tissues, and there is a need for less invasive and safer procedures.
Innovation Solution
A system and method using a sliding joint finder and a working cannula for minimally invasive access to the SI joint, allowing for the delivery of implants through an inferior inlet approach, reducing tissue trauma and risk to neurovascular tissues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If open surgery is used for SI joint fixation, then direct access and view of the SI joint is achieved, but significant trauma and disruption to surrounding tissues and skin occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a minimally invasive surgical system with a guide needle, dilator, and working cannula as intermediary tools that provide indirect access to the SI joint through small incisions, eliminating the need for large open incisions while still achieving the therapeutic goal of joint stabilization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs fluoroscopic imaging to provide a different dimensional perspective (radiographic view) of the SI joint, allowing surgeons to visualize and accurately target the joint through small incisions without requiring direct visual exposure of the joint surfaces
2Reliability
If open surgery is used for SI joint fixation, then SI joint stabilization is achieved, but risk of damage to major nerves, blood vessels, ligaments, and muscles increases
Solution Approach 1:
The minimally invasive system uses a guide needle and working cannula as protective intermediaries that create a controlled access pathway to the SI joint, shielding surrounding neurovascular structures from direct trauma while allowing implant delivery
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs preoperative fluoroscopic imaging and intraoperative guidance to预先 identify and avoid neurovascular structures before making incisions, allowing surgeons to plan safe access pathways that minimize risk to surrounding tissues
3Reliability
If open surgery is used for SI joint fixation, then SI joint fixation is achieved, but operative, hospitalization, and recovery time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical procedure is segmented into distinct steps (needle insertion, dilator placement, cannula insertion, implant delivery) through small sequential incisions, allowing the fixation to be achieved through minimally invasive stages rather than requiring a single large open incision
Solution Approach 2:
The working cannula serves as an intermediary tool that maintains access to the SI joint while minimizing soft tissue disruption, allowing implant delivery without requiring sustained large incisions that would increase healing time
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical system for preparing the sacroiliac (SI) joint for a fusion, comprising a sliding joint finder and a working cannula. The working cannula comprises a body having a central axis that runs the length of the body. The body of the working cannula comprises a distal end, a proximal end and a central cavity that is positioned along the central axis of the working cannula and has suitable dimensions for sliding the working cannula over the sliding joint finder and the working cannula further comprises two protrusions extending proximally. In addition, the two protrusions have uneven lengths such that when the working cannula is inserted, the longer of the two protrusions engages the SI joint at a superior end of the SI joint and the shorter of the two protrusions engages the SI joint at an inferior end of the SI joint.