Integrated Spinal Retraction and Distraction Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing spinal retractors and distractors for disk space surgery are often cumbersome, complex, and difficult to use, especially when quick modifications are needed, and they rarely integrate both functions effectively, leading to risks of soft tissue damage and inadequate visualization during surgery.

Innovation Solution

A combined spinal distractor and retractor assembly with a distractor head and keyway mechanism that allows for controlled distraction and retraction, featuring a flexible retractor blade for improved exposure and a slot for incremental distraction adjustments, reducing the need for individual manual pressure on soft tissues and minimizing tissue damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate distractor and retractor devices are used, then distraction and retraction functions are provided, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to multiple separate tools

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegrated distraction and retraction functionVSAvoidnumber of separate devices

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the distractor and retractor into a single integrated device. The distractor component applies distraction force to separate vertebral bodies while the retractor component simultaneously retracts soft tissue laterally. This merging eliminates the need for multiple separate devices, reducing surgical complexity and improving ease of operation while maintaining both distraction and retraction functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated device performs multiple functions simultaneously: distraction of the vertebral bodies, retraction of soft tissue, and maintenance of surgical exposure. The universal design allows a single device to replace multiple specialized tools, improving adaptability and reducing the number of device changes required during surgery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If manual pressure is applied to maintain soft tissue retraction, then retraction is achieved, but reliability deteriorates due to risk of tissue necrosis

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoft tissue protectionVSAvoidmanual pressure requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The retractor component is designed to automatically maintain soft tissue retraction through its mechanical structure and positioning within the disc space. Once positioned, the retractor self-maintains the retracted state without requiring continuous manual pressure from the surgeon, thereby improving reliability by eliminating the risk of tissue necrosis associated with prolonged manual compression while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If retractor extends into disc space, then soft tissue protection improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoft tissue protectionVSAvoidretractor structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The retractor blade is nested within or integrated with the distractor structure. The retractor extends into the disc space to protect soft tissue by preventing it from being pinched or damaged during distraction, while its design allows it to be accommodated within the overall device architecture. This nesting approach provides enhanced soft tissue protection without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Ease of operation

If dedicated distractor tools are used, then distraction control is achieved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to cumbersome setup and modification

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequick modification capabilityVSAvoiddistractor mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The distractor mechanism incorporates dynamic adjustment capabilities that allow for quick modification of distraction force and positioning during surgery. The integrated design enables the surgeon to adjust the distractor settings without complex setup procedures or multiple tool changes, improving ease of operation while maintaining precise distraction control through the integrated mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11534151B2Spinal surgery distraction with an integrated retractor

Publication Date: 2022.12.27 GLOBUS MEDICAL INC

AI summary

A spinal surgery retractor and method of use. The retractor includes a slotted keyway for integrating a keyed spinal distractor. The retractor and distractor combination slide together to displace a portion of the intervertebral disk space to restore or maintain intervertebral spacing and facilitate retraction of surrounding soft tissues while disk space surgery is performed. The distractor head and mating portion of the retractors have matching profiles that enable the retractor to maintain distraction of the vertebra after removal of the distractor portion of the tool, permitting access to increase at the operating site.