Integrated Spinal Access Assembly for Single-Portal Decompression
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing minimally invasive spinal procedures face challenges in accessing the spinal canal due to the small size of the canal and require multiple separate devices, leading to procedural complexity and longer recovery times.
Innovation Solution
An integrated device combining a portal cannula, trocar, and depth guide, along with a stabilization component like a portal grip, allows percutaneous access to the spinal canal, facilitating procedures such as lumbar decompression with reduced complexity and faster recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional open surgery is performed to correct spinal stenosis, then the spinal canal can be accessed and decompression can be performed, but the procedure causes significant damage to muscles and supporting structures, leading to prolonged recovery time and post-operative pain
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical procedure is divided into distinct modular components: a guide needle for initial access, a dilator for gradual tissue expansion, and a reamer for bone removal. Each component performs a specific function in sequence, allowing minimally invasive access to the spinal canal while preserving surrounding musculature and ligaments.
Solution Approach 2:
The device components are nested within each other during insertion, with the guide needle containing the dilator, which in turn contains the reamer. This telescoping arrangement allows all necessary tools to be delivered through a single small incision, avoiding the need to separate and reinsert multiple devices.
2Reliability
If multiple separate devices are used for minimally invasive spinal procedures, then access to the spinal canal can be achieved, but the procedural complexity increases and procedure time is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The guide needle, dilator, and reamer are combined into a single integrated device assembly that can be inserted and manipulated as one unit. The components are mechanically coupled through threaded connections, allowing them to be advanced and retracted together while maintaining their individual functional characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated device serves multiple functions: the guide needle provides initial access and defines the trajectory, the dilator creates the working channel, and the reamer removes bone to decompress the spinal canal. All these functions are achieved through a single device insertion point, eliminating the need for multiple separate procedures.
3Loss of time
If percutaneous techniques are used to treat spinal stenosis, then recovery time is reduced and post-operative pain is minimized, but the ability to perform bilateral and multi-level treatments from a single access point is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The device includes adjustable components that can be reconfigured during the procedure. The guide needle and dilator can be repositioned to access different spinal levels, and the reamer can be adjusted to treat both unilateral and bilateral stenosis through the same access point, enabling dynamic adaptation to various treatment requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, devices, and methods for performing minimally invasive spinal procedures are described herein. The systems, devices, and methods may be used to percutaneously access the spinal canal and perform a spinal procedure in multiple locations along the canal, e.g., bilaterally and/or at multiple levels from a single access point. The systems and devices may integrate various instruments for performing the procedures, thus improving their ease of use, reducing procedural complexity, and minimizing procedure time.