Microinvasive Spinal Instrument Set for Stenosis Treatment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for treating spinal canal stenosis are invasive and destabilize the spinal column, leading to significant complications such as wound healing disorders, infection risks, and reduced mobility, and existing microinvasive techniques are unsuitable for removing spinal canal stenosis due to accessibility issues and structural limitations.

Innovation Solution

A microinvasive instrument set featuring an ablation device with a removable head and shielding element, designed for use through a microinvasive access tube, allowing for precise removal of ossified tissue while protecting the dura and nerve structures, enabling minimally invasive treatment of spinal canal stenosis and other spinal canal narrowings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If traditional microlaminectomy is used to treat spinal canal stenosis, then the ossified tissue can be removed effectively, but the spinal column becomes destabilized and requires osteosynthesis

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremoval precisionVSAvoidspinal stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The instrument set divides the removal process into segmented steps using different specialized tools (rongeurs, forceps, curettes) that can be introduced through the access tube sequentially, allowing precise removal of ossified tissue without requiring complete laminectomy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The access tube serves as an intermediary tool that enables microinvasive introduction of removal instruments to the target area, allowing tissue removal without extensive exposure and preserving spinal stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If extensive exposure and microlaminectomy are performed, then spinal canal stenosis can be treated, but wound healing disorders and infection risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment effectivenessVSAvoidcomplication risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts only the necessary portion of tissue (ossified ligamentum flavum) through a small access point using specialized removal instruments, avoiding the need for extensive surgical exposure and associated complications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the traditional mechanical open surgical approach with a microinvasive approach using an access tube and specialized instruments that can remove tissue through a small puncture, reducing tissue trauma and complication risks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If complete laminectomy is performed to remove stenosis, then the spinal canal is decompressed, but spinal mobility is significantly reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedecompression accuracyVSAvoidspinal mobility

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The instrument set enables localized removal of ossified tissue at the specific site of stenosis without removing the entire lamina, preserving the structural integrity and mobility of the spinal column while achieving decompression where needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Object-affected harmful factors

If microinvasive techniques are used for spinal surgery, then tissue trauma is reduced, but accessibility to spinal canal stenosis is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue traumaVSAvoidaccessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The access tube serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for introducing various removal instruments, defines the access pathway, and enables different types of instruments (rongeurs, forceps, curettes) to reach the target area through the same microinvasive puncture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The instrument set enables access to the spinal canal stenosis through a lateral approach via the intervertebral foramen, providing a new dimensional access route that avoids the need for extensive posterior exposure while reaching the target tissue

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP2734127B1Instrument set for treating stenoses of the spinal canal

Publication Date: 2017.05.31 FAHNDRICH MARTIN

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Figure 3A~3B

AI summary

Instrument set for microinvasive treatment of stenoses of the spinal canal and/or other constrictions of the spinal canal, having - a microinvasive access tube (1) with a distal end insertable into the body; - an ablation device (2) with an ablation head (21) which can be received by the access tube (1) and which, at the distal end, can be guided out of the access tube (1) and brought into at least one working position; - a screening element (31) for screening the ablation head (21) in relation to the dura, which screening element (31) can be received by the access tube (1) and, at the distal end, can be guided out of the access tube (1) and brought into at least one working position in which the screening element (31) protrudes laterally above the access tube (1).