Spinal Canal Expansion Implant with Rotating Lamina Hinge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for expanding the spinal canal, such as laminectomy and laminoplasty, are cumbersome and require exceptional technical skills, especially for minimally invasive procedures, and often lead to instability and spinal deformity.
Innovation Solution
An implantable device with an elongate body having a cross-section with distinct dimensions and radiused corners, which can be rotated to expand the spinal canal by engaging bone and using a sleeve or hinged lateral extensions for secure fixation, allowing for minimally invasive expansion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If laminectomy is performed to expand the spinal canal, then the spinal cord compression is relieved, but spinal instability and deformity occur
Solution Approach 1:
The lamina is divided into two parts: a first portion that is cut and removed, and a second portion that is hinged and rotated. This segmentation allows selective removal of only the necessary portion to relieve compression while preserving the stabilizing function of the remaining lamina, thus reducing spinal instability compared to complete laminectomy
Solution Approach 2:
The hinged lamina portion is rotated from an initial position to a final position, transforming it from a static structure to a dynamic one. This rotation enables the lamina to adapt to the expanded spinal canal while maintaining stability, combining the benefits of decompression and structural integrity
2Loss of substance
If laminoplasty is performed to expand the spinal canal, then more bone and muscle are preserved, but the procedure is cumbersome and requires exceptional technical skills
Solution Approach 1:
The device includes pre-formed cutting guides and hinge guides that are positioned and secured before the actual cutting and hinging operations. These preliminary actions simplify the complex laminoplasty procedure by providing predetermined pathways and reference points, reducing the skill level required while maintaining bone and muscle preservation
Solution Approach 2:
The device introduces intermediary components such as cutting guides, hinge guides, and positioning fixtures that mediate between the surgeon's actions and the bone manipulation. These intermediaries make the complex laminoplasty procedure more controllable and less skill-dependent, while still achieving the goal of preserving bone and muscle
3Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional decompression procedures are used, then spinal canal expansion is achieved, but post-operative movement and instability occur
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates stabilization elements such as screws, cages, or reinforcement structures that are installed during the procedure to cushion against and prevent post-operative movement and instability. These preventive measures address the reliability issue before it can manifest as post-operative complications
Data Source
AI summary
Devices and methods are disclosed for expanding a spinal canal. An implantable device having a shaft with a first cross-sectional dimension distinct from a second cross-sectional dimension can be inserted into an opening in a lamina and rotated 90 degrees to hinge the lamina away from the spinal canal. The implant can have one or more radiused edges, a bulleted tip, one or more lateral extensions for fastening the implantable device to bone, one or more hinged lateral extensions, one or more arcuate protrusions for biting into adjacent bone, an enlarged proximal head to prevent over-insertion, and/or a sleeve disposed therearound to reduce friction. Various embodiments of an insertion apparatus that can be selectively coupled to the implantable device are also disclosed, along with methods of expanding a spinal canal in minimally-invasive procedures using an implantable device and/or an insertion apparatus.