Spinal Implant Templates for Image-Guided Nerve-Safe Placement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surgical treatments for spinal disorders, such as scoliosis and degenerative disc disease, often fail to provide adequate mechanical support and require invasive procedures that can cause nerve damage and loss of mobility.

Innovation Solution

A surgical system comprising navigated templates and inserters with image guidance, allowing for precise implant sizing and placement using software-assisted navigation, enabling minimally invasive procedures with improved accuracy and safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional surgical treatments are used for spinal disorders, then mechanical support can be restored, but the procedures are invasive and risk nerve damage and loss of mobility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical safetyVSAvoidnerve damage and loss of mobility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical surgical guidance systems with an image-guided navigation system that uses real-time imaging and computer processing to guide implant placement, reducing the need for invasive mechanical procedures and improving surgical precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an image-guided navigation system as an intermediary between the surgeon and the surgical site, providing real-time visual feedback and precise localization to guide implant placement without direct invasive manipulation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If traditional surgical procedures are performed, then spinal fusion and fixation can be achieved, but surgical precision is limited and accuracy is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplant placement accuracyVSAvoidsurgical system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal image-guided navigation system that can be applied to various spinal surgical procedures and implant types, providing multi-functional capabilities that improve precision without proportionally increasing complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses image-guided navigation to create a virtual copy or representation of the patient's anatomy, allowing precise planning and guidance of implant placement based on pre-operative imaging and real-time feedback

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Strength

If invasive surgical procedures are used, then mechanical support function can be restored, but the invasiveness causes additional tissue damage and recovery time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical support functionVSAvoidtissue damage

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary planning and measurement using image-guided navigation before the actual implantation, allowing precise preparation and minimally invasive execution of the surgical procedure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3955837B1Spinal implant system

Publication Date: 2025.07.23 WARSAW ORTHOPEDIC INC

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AI summary

A spinal implant template includes a shaft extending along an axis between a proximal end and a distal end. An engagement portion is configured for insertion between vertebrae of a patient. The engagement portion includes a rod extending from the distal end at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis to facilitate ease of entry around a spinal cord of the patient. Systems, surgical instruments, spinal implants and methods are disclosed.