Uneven-Protrusion SI Joint Cannula for Inferior Inlet Fusion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surgical methods for sacroiliac (SI) joint fixation 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 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 conventional 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 guide needle and cannula as intermediary tools that provide a pathway to the SI joint without requiring direct surgical exposure. The guide needle is inserted through the sacral ala to define a trajectory, and the cannula follows this path to deliver the implant, thereby mediating between the external approach and the internal joint space while minimizing soft tissue disruption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of open surgical exposure (incisions, retraction, direct visualization) with a percutaneous mechanical system using image guidance and specialized instrumentation. The implant delivery system uses a combination of guide needles, cannulas, and implanters that can deliver the implant through a small puncture site rather than requiring large surgical incisions and tissue retraction
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional MIS lateral approach is used, then a small incision is made, but significant trauma to major nerves, blood vessels, and muscle groups of the hip occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the dimensional approach by moving from a lateral horizontal approach to a superior-inferior vertical approach through the sacral ala. This dimensional change allows access to the SI joint from above rather than from the side, thereby avoiding the neurovascular structures and muscle groups located in the lateral hip region while still achieving the necessary trajectory into the joint space
3Object-affected harmful factors
If posterior MIS approach is used, then damage to lateral hip soft tissues is eliminated, but significant risk of trauma to spinal nerves and major back and hip ligaments remains
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by precisely localizing the insertion site to the sacral ala, which is an area with relatively safe anatomy away from major neurovascular structures. The guide needle is inserted at a specific location on the sacral ala where the trajectory can be controlled to avoid spinal nerves and ligaments, thereby creating a locally optimized access point that minimizes risk to critical structures
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.