Minimally Invasive Spinal Instruments with Distal Working Ends

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Solution Overview

Problem

Minimally invasive surgical techniques for accessing spinal disc spaces face challenges in visualization and control due to obstruction by instrument proximal portions and cumbersome manipulation through access portals, which hinders effective preparation and implant insertion.

Innovation Solution

Development of specialized instruments with elongate members and proximal handle configurations that facilitate visualization and control through access portals, including rotary cutters, scrapers, chisels, and implant inserters, designed to enhance manipulation and force delivery within the spinal disc space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If conventional instruments with proximal portions are used through an access portal, then the instruments can perform disc space preparation and implant insertion, but the proximal portions obstruct visualization of the operative site through the portal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisualization of operative siteVSAvoidinstrument proximal portions

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting element is extracted from a conventional proximal handle configuration and positioned at the distal working end of the instrument shaft. This extraction removes the obstructing proximal portions from the visual field through the access portal while maintaining the instrument's functional capability for disc space preparation and implant insertion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The instrument design transitions from a conventional proximal handle configuration to a distal working end configuration, effectively changing the spatial dimension of the cutting element's position. This dimensional change allows the cutting element to operate at the distal end while the proximal portion remains clear of the visual field, resolving the visualization obstruction problem.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If conventional instrument orientations are used, then the instruments can access the disc space, but the gesturing required to manipulate the distal working end is cumbersome and does not facilitate delivery of desired working forces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanipulation of distal working endVSAvoidinstrument orientation and gesturing

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The conventional orientation is inverted by positioning the cutting element at the distal working end rather than at a proximal handle. This inversion allows the surgeon to manipulate the instrument in a more intuitive manner, delivering working forces directly along the instrument's longitudinal axis while accessing the disc space through the minimally invasive portal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS7578820B2Devices and techniques for a minimally invasive disc space preparation and implant insertion

Publication Date: 2009.08.25 WARSAW ORTHOPEDIC INC

AI summary

Methods and instruments are provided for performing spinal disc space preparation and implant insertion in minimally invasive procedures. The instruments include cutting instruments and implant insertion instruments adapted for insertion through a minimally invasive access portal to a spinal disc space. The proximal portions of the instruments are adapted to facilitate viewing through a proximal end opening of the access portal with the instruments positioned through the access portal while also enhancing the surgeon's control of the distal working end of the instruments while in the disc space.