Minimally Invasive Spinal Rod Guide System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal fixation devices in orthopedic surgery often cause significant damage to surrounding tissue and muscle during minimally invasive procedures due to the transverse introduction of rods, necessitating improved methods and devices for introducing spinal fixation elements into the spine.
Innovation Solution
A minimally invasive rod-first fixation system comprising a rod with an anchor fixation head, a guide system, and a targeting member to facilitate precise placement of anchors along the spinal column, allowing for the insertion of anchors through separate incisions and subsequent coupling of the rod to maintain vertebral alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a rod is introduced transverse to the spinal column through a third incision, then the rod can be moved into the rod-engaging portion of spinal screws, but significant damage is caused to surrounding tissue and muscle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional surgical sequence by inserting the rod first through a longitudinal incision along the spinal column, then inserting screws through separate percutaneous access devices to engage the rod. This reverses the conventional approach of screw insertion followed by rod placement, thereby avoiding transverse tissue damage while maintaining procedural effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the surgical procedure into separate staged operations: first inserting the rod through a longitudinal incision, then separately inserting screws through percutaneous access devices. This segmentation allows each component to be introduced through optimally oriented incisions, minimizing overall tissue trauma while achieving the same fixation result
2Object-affected harmful factors
If percutaneous access devices are used to implant anchor devices into adjacent vertebrae, then minimally invasive advantages are achieved, but the transverse rod introduction still causes significant tissue damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional surgical sequence by inserting the rod first through a longitudinal incision along the spinal column, then inserting screws through separate percutaneous access devices to engage the rod. This reverses the conventional approach of screw insertion followed by rod placement, thereby avoiding transverse tissue damage while maintaining procedural effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The rod serves as an intermediary element that is inserted first and provides a receiving structure for subsequent screw engagement. This intermediary approach allows screws to be inserted percutaneously without requiring transverse rod passage, as the rod already occupies the central position and accepts screw engagement through its rod-receiving portion
Data Source
AI summary
A minimally invasive fixation system and installation method is provided. The system includes a rod having an anchor fixation head, an anchor system for anchoring the rod using the anchor fixation head, and a guide system configured to attach to the anchor fixation head of the rod for the insertion of the additional anchor systems. In one embodiment, a method for placing a spinal fixation element relative to a vertebra is provided. The method includes inserting the spinal fixation element relative to the vertebra; connecting the spinal fixation element to a first vertebra with a first anchor; manipulating the spinal fixation element relative to the first anchor to align the spinal fixation element with a second vertebra; fixing the position of the spinal fixation element relative to the first bone anchor; determining an anchor site on a second vertebra using a guide system connected to the spinal fixation element; inserting a second anchor at an anchor site on second vertebra; and connecting the second anchor to the spinal fixation element to fix the spinal fixation element relative to the first vertebra and second vertebra.