Minimally Invasive Spinal Fixation System With Tissue Protection Sleeves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing minimally invasive fixation systems for spinal surgery face challenges such as tissue trauma and interference between multiple cannulas, limiting the surgeon's ability to maneuver instruments and visualize the surgical site effectively.
Innovation Solution
A minimally invasive fixation system comprising bone anchors, lateral implant holders, and sleeves with tissue protection portions that allow for selective insertion and movement of pedicle screws, reducing tissue trauma and interference between adjacent components, enabling improved visualization and access during spinal procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple cannulas are positioned adjacent to one another, then access to surgical site is provided, but the cannulas interfere with one another when repositioned
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the access pathway into multiple separate portals, each with its own cannula positioned at different angles and locations. This segmentation allows each cannula to operate independently without interfering with adjacent ones, while collectively providing comprehensive access to the surgical site.
Solution Approach 2:
The cannulas are positioned in three-dimensional space with varying angles, depths, and orientations rather than simply adjacent in a single plane. This dimensional arrangement allows surgical instruments to move freely through each cannula without collision, resolving the interference problem while maintaining multiple access points.
2Ease of operation
If retractors are used to provide access portal, then surgical access is achieved, but more trauma is caused to the body
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses thin-walled cannulas with flexible yet structurally sufficient construction to provide access portals. These thin-walled structures minimize tissue disruption and trauma compared to rigid retractors, while still maintaining adequate strength for surgical instrument passage and structural support during the procedure.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If fixed diameter cannulas are used, then trauma to body is reduced, but ability to visualize surgical site and manipulate instruments is limited
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single large-bore cannula that would cause excessive trauma, the system segments the access into multiple smaller fixed-diameter cannulas. Each small cannula causes minimal tissue trauma individually, while collectively they provide sufficient working space for instrument manipulation and surgical site visualization through coordinated positioning.
Data Source
AI summary
A minimally invasive fixation system and method for providing access to a surgical site. The fixation system may include a holding assembly, the holding assembling preferably including a lateral implant holder which may be attached to a pedicle screw and a sleeve positioned in connection with the lateral implant holder to prevent the lateral implant holder from separating from the pedicle screw. The sleeve may further include a tissue protection portion to keep the tissue out of the surgical site. A holding sleeve may be operably connected to the holding assembly and pedicle screw and may be used to insert the pedicle screw into the body. Multiple constructs may be inserted into the body so that a portion of the holding assembly extends from the body and provides access to and visualization of the surgical site. A rod holder may also be used to insert a rod into the head of the screw. The rod may be held by the rod holder so that the rod may be angulated as the rod is inserted into the screw heads. Once the rod is positioned in the screw heads, locking caps and/or set screws may be positioned over the rod and engage the screw heads so that the position of the rod may be fixed with respect to the screws. In some embodiments, a movement mechanism may be used to move the screws relative to each other to compress and/or distract the vertebrae.