Low-Profile Spinal Inserter with Nested Jaw Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current implant inserters face challenges in delivering and positioning implants within spinal disc spaces, particularly through narrow working channels, due to their large size, which can lead to undesirable contact with sensitive anatomical structures like the spinal cord, making minimally-invasive medial posterior approaches impractical.
Innovation Solution
The development of implant inserters with a low-profile geometry, featuring an inner member with opposed jaws that can be axially translated within an outer member to grasp and position implants, allowing for a more medial approach to the disc space, reducing the risk of spinal cord contact and facilitating minimally-invasive procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If prior implant inserters are used, then the implant can be delivered to the disc space, but the device is too large to pass into the disc space without undesirably contacting sensitive anatomic structures like the spinal cord
Solution Approach 1:
The inner member with jaws is nested within the outer member, allowing the inserter to have a reduced profile when passed into the disc space while still providing full implant delivery capability. The inner member can be advanced relative to the outer member to deploy the implant at the target site.
Solution Approach 2:
The inserter is divided into distinct functional segments: the outer member for navigation and protection, and the inner member with jaws for implant grasping and positioning. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while reducing the overall profile during insertion.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a medial posterior approach is used, then muscle stripping and soft tissue retraction are reduced, but the inserter must be small enough to avoid contacting the spinal cord
Solution Approach 1:
The nested construction of the inner member within the outer member creates a compact profile that enables the inserter to navigate the constrained medial posterior surgical corridor without contacting the spinal cord, while still providing sufficient functionality for implant delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The low-profile geometry is specifically applied to the portions of the inserter that interact with the surgical corridor and neural structures, while the functional components (jaws, actuation mechanisms) are positioned or sized to maintain implant delivery capability without increasing the critical profile dimensions.
Data Source
AI summary
Implant inserters and related methods are disclosed herein, e.g., for delivering a fusion cage or other implant to a spinal disc space and for rotating or articulating the implant within the disc space. An exemplary instrument can include an inner member having opposed jaws for grasping the implant and holding the implant during insertion. The inner member can be slidably received within an outer member such that relative axial translation of the inner and outer members is effective to open or close the jaws. The jaws and/or the distal end of the outer member can have a low-profile geometry, which can advantageously facilitate certain surgical procedures. For example, the low-profile geometry can allow for a more medial approach to an intervertebral disc space in which the implant is to be inserted.