Spinal Implant Holder Deflection Device Posterior Approach
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal surgery techniques require large incisions and muscle retraction, leading to postoperative complications like muscle decay and tissue stress, especially when placing and tightening intervertebral implants using a lateral approach.
Innovation Solution
An assembly with an implant holder featuring a deflection device and tensioning mechanism that allows for the minimization of invasive procedures by enabling the positioning and tensioning of flexible links using a posterior approach, reducing the size of the incision and preserving tissues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a lateral approach is used for placing and tightening flexible links in the wedge, then the implant can be positioned and tensioned, but the incision size increases and muscle tissue is damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a deflection device with an opening having a central axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the implant holder but not intersecting it. This creates a non-linear path for the braid, allowing it to extend perpendicularly from the implant to the opening, then continue to the free end. This dimensional change in the braid path enables posterior approach surgery without requiring lateral muscle dissection, thus resolving the contradiction between implant positioning capability and tissue preservation
2Ease of operation
If a wide zone of intervention is exposed around the vertebrae, then flexible links can be fitted and tensioned, but the surgical invasiveness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The deflection device segments the braid path into distinct portions: a first part extending perpendicularly from the implant to the opening, and a second part extending from the opening to the free end. This segmentation allows the surgical procedure to be performed through a restricted posterior approach while maintaining full functionality for flexible link installation and tensioning, thereby reducing surgical invasiveness without compromising operational capability
3Device complexity
If the braid path is constrained to a straight line, then the implant holder structure is simple, but the braid cannot be properly tensioned through a posterior approach
Solution Approach 1:
The deflection device acts as an intermediary element between the implant holder and the braid. Its opening provides a pivot point that mediates the braid's path change from perpendicular to parallel orientation. This intermediary structure enables proper braid tensioning through the posterior approach while adding minimal complexity to the implant holder, as the deflection device consists of simple geometric features (opening with specific axis orientation) rather than complex mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly for assisting with positioning of an intervertebral implant, including an implant holder having an elongate body extending along a longitudinal axis between first and second ends, the first end being adapted to be attached to the stabilising wedge of an intervertebral implant, the first end of the implant holder having a deflection device including an opening having a central axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the implant holder but not converging with the longitudinal axis, the opening allowing the braid of an implant to pass therethrough in such a way that, when in use, the braid may have a first portion extending substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis from the implant to the opening, and a second portion extending from the opening to the free end in a plane substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the implant holder to allow the tensioning of the braid.