Spinal Extender for Connecting Member Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in orthopedic surgical procedures is the difficulty in maneuvering and positioning orthopedic devices along the spinal column due to limited space and intricate parts, which complicates the installation process and requires minimally invasive techniques that minimize tissue impact.
Innovation Solution
The system includes extenders mounted to anchors on the spinal column, allowing connecting members to be positioned without additional incisions, using a retractor to pivot and retract tissue, and a dual passage system for guiding the connecting member from a proximal end to a distal anchor, facilitating minimally invasive procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If minimally invasive approach is used to reduce tissue impact, then tissue disruption is reduced, but space availability for maneuvering and positioning devices decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The extender device is inserted through a small incision and nested within the limited surgical space, with its proximal end extending through the incision and distal end positioned at the spinal column. This nested configuration allows the device to occupy minimal space during insertion while providing sufficient working length for device manipulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The extender transforms the limited two-dimensional surgical site access into a three-dimensional working space by extending proximally through the incision, allowing devices to be maneuvered along the longitudinal axis of the extender rather than being constrained to a flat surgical plane.
2Manufacturing precision
If small and intricate orthopedic parts are used for device placement, then device precision is improved, but difficulty of installation procedure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The extender acts as an intermediary tool that bridges the gap between the surgeon's hands and the small intricate orthopedic devices. It provides a stable platform and extended reach, allowing precise manipulation of small parts without requiring the surgeon to directly handle them through the limited incision.
Solution Approach 2:
The extender is inserted and positioned beforehand to create a stable working channel, allowing subsequent installation of intricate orthopedic devices to be performed with ease since the pathway and manipulation space are already established.
3Ease of operation
If additional incisions are made to accommodate connecting member insertion, then ease of device positioning is improved, but tissue disruption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The extender serves multiple functions: it provides access to the spinal column, creates a working channel for instrument insertion, and facilitates connecting member positioning all through a single incision site, eliminating the need for additional incisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The functions of tissue access, instrument delivery, and device positioning are merged into a single integrated pathway through the extender, allowing all operations to be performed through one incision rather than requiring separate access points.
Data Source
AI summary
A spinal surgical system includes at least one extender mounted to an anchor engaged to the spinal column. The extender extends proximally away from the anchor to a proximal end outside the patient. The extender is configured to receive a connecting member from an approach that is generally parallel or along the longitudinal axis of the extender so that the connecting member can be positioned from the proximal end of the extender to the anchor at the distal end of the extender without requiring an additional incision or puncture to accommodate the connecting member insertion.