Patient-Specific Navigation Guide for Spinal Surgery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current patient-specific navigation guides for spinal surgery are cumbersome and unsuitable for minimally invasive procedures on the sacral vertebrae, particularly for S01 and S02, as they require extensive incisions and are not designed for divergent screw trajectories, leading to instability and longer recovery times.
Innovation Solution
A patient-specific navigation guide with three tubular guide members, two symmetrical to a median plane and a third transverse member connected via a plate, allowing precise and stable insertion of surgical instruments on S01 and S02 vertebrae with reduced incision size, enabling minimally invasive surgery and accommodating divergent screw trajectories.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional navigation guides are used for S01 and S02 vertebrae, then screw insertion guidance is provided, but the guide size becomes large and requires extensive incisions
Solution Approach 1:
The navigation guide is divided into multiple separate guide members (first guide member for S01, second guide member for S02, and optional third guide member) instead of using a single large guide. Each guide member is sized to fit within a minimal incision and can be independently positioned and removed, allowing precise screw insertion guidance without requiring a large overall guide structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional navigation guides are used for S02-AI screws, then coverage is provided, but the guide becomes cumbersome and unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The guide system uses separate, simple guide members for S01 and S02 vertebrae rather than a single complex guide attempting to cover both. Each guide member is optimized for its specific vertebral target and screw trajectory, providing adaptability without unnecessary complexity. The third guide member can be added only when needed for additional S02 screw insertion.
Solution Approach 2:
Each guide member is specifically designed with local anatomical matching features (contact members shaped to match specific vertebral surfaces) tailored to its intended target vertebra and screw trajectory. This localized optimization provides adaptability for different screw paths while keeping each individual guide member simple and stable.
3Ease of operation
If extensive incisions are made to insert traditional guides, then guide insertion is enabled, but surgical invasiveness increases and recovery time lengthens
Solution Approach 1:
The navigation guide is divided into multiple separate guide members (first guide member for S01, second guide member for S02, and optional third guide member) instead of using a single large guide. Each guide member is sized to fit within a minimal incision and can be independently positioned and removed, allowing precise screw insertion guidance without requiring a large overall guide structure.
Data Source
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
A patient-specific navigation guide (1) for use in spinal surgery comprising a first (2) and a second (3) guide member, both integral with a supporting frame (4) and extending along a respective longitudinal development axis (2a, 3a) from a proximal opening (2p, 3p) to a distal opening (2d, 3d) for guiding surgical instruments on a first vertebra of a patient; contact members (14, 15, 16) designed to match with a corresponding plurality of contact areas on a first and on a second vertebra of the patient. The first and second guide members are substantially opposite with respect to a median plane (X) orthogonal to a straight line joining the longitudinal axes (2a, 3a) of the first and second guide members. The guide also comprises a single additional third guide member (6) adapted to abut on the second vertebra. The third guide member is integral with the supporting frame through a plate connected only to the first or to the second guide member.