Spinal Clips for Minimally Invasive Decompression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal stenosis treatments, especially surgical procedures, are invasive and do not effectively address the need for a minimally invasive method to create space within the spinal canal for decompression without significant tissue resection or ligament disruption.
Innovation Solution
Spinal clips designed to be introduced in a collapsed state, which deploy mechanically using torque, rotation, ratcheting, or expansion to provide clamping force on spinous processes, allowing for adjustable retention and stabilization of the spine with minimal tissue resection, made from biocompatible materials like PEEK, titanium, or stainless steel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If traditional surgical procedures like laminectomy are performed to decompress the spinal canal, then adequate space is created for nerve relief, but significant tissue resection and ligament disruption occur causing invasive damage
Solution Approach 1:
The spinal clip device is inserted in a collapsed, compact state through minimally invasive access, then deployed in situ to expand and create the necessary spinal canal space. This nesting approach allows the device to be introduced through small incisions without requiring large tissue resection, yet still achieve adequate decompression volume when deployed
Solution Approach 2:
The spinal clip is divided into deployable segments or lobes that can be collapsed for insertion and then expanded to engage the spinous processes and create decompression space. The segmented structure allows compact packaging for minimally invasive delivery while providing sufficient expansion capability for effective decompression
2Object-affected harmful factors
If minimally invasive approaches are used to reduce tissue disruption, then patient recovery is improved, but adequate decompression space may not be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The spinal clip transitions from a static, compact insertion configuration to a dynamic, expanded deployed configuration. The device incorporates mechanical elements such as hinges, springs, or shape memory materials that enable it to dynamically change its volume and shape after insertion, achieving adequate decompression space while maintaining minimal initial tissue disruption
Solution Approach 2:
The device undergoes parameter changes in its physical state during deployment - transitioning from a collapsed state with small dimensions suitable for minimally invasive access to an expanded state with sufficient volume for effective decompression. This parameter transformation allows the device to satisfy both the minimal invasion requirement and the adequate space requirement at different stages
3Object-affected harmful factors
If spinal clips are designed to be inserted in a collapsed state for minimally invasive surgery, then surgical invasiveness is reduced, but device complexity increases to achieve deployment mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The spinal clip incorporates self-deployment mechanisms that utilize the insertion process itself or inherent mechanical properties to trigger expansion. For example, the act of inserting the device through tissue or attaching it to the spinous processes automatically activates the deployment mechanism, eliminating the need for separate complex actuation systems and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining minimally invasive benefits
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The spinal clips effectively create space within the spinal canal, providing stabilization and alleviating spinal stenosis symptoms with a less invasive approach, allowing for posterior, lateral, or posterior-lateral insertion with minimal tissue disruption.
Implementation Method 1
The spinal clips utilize mechanical torque and/or tension to deploy and effect retention.
Implementation Method 2
The spinal clips utilize mechanical torque and/or tension to deploy and effect retention.
Implementation Method 3
the spinous process clips utilize pivoting to effect deployment and retention
Implementation Method 4
the spinous process clips utilize rotation to effect deployment and retention
Implementation Method 5
the spinous process clips utilize ratcheting to effect deployment and retention
Implementation Method 6
the spinous process clips utilize expansion to effect deployment and retention
Data Source
AI summary
A spinal clip for creating a potential space within the spinal canal and thus stabilizing the spine without the need for additional spinal components is embodied in different forms. The spinal clips are configured to provide a clamping or holding force against and/or to the spinous processes, transverse processes and/or the lamina of adjacent vertebrae. In one form, the spinous process clips utilize pivoting to effect clamping or holding. In another form, the spinous process clips utilize rotation to effect clamping or holding. Such rotation may be between clamping or holding members or via a screw system. In yet another form, the spinous process clips utilize ratcheting to effect clamping or holding. In a still further form, the spinous process clips utilize expansion to effect clamping or holding. Depending on the form of clamping or holding, the spinous process clips can provide infinite adjustment of the clamping or holding force within an adjustment range, or provide discrete steps or levels of the clamping or holding force.