Minimally Invasive Spinal Rod Insertion Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spinal fixation procedures involve large skin incisions and extensive tissue trauma, leading to significant post-operative pain and prolonged recovery times, and there is a need for a minimally invasive method that allows for easy rod connection to implants at varying depths with enhanced visualization.
Innovation Solution
A method using radiographic imaging to guide incisions and employing a screw with a polyaxially rotating head portion, along with an insertion guide and holding instrument, to facilitate minimally invasive spinal rod fixation through smaller incisions, allowing for precise rod placement and connection to multiple implants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If open approach surgical techniques are employed to access the spinal area for implantation of spinal fixation systems, then proper implant placement and rod connection can be achieved, but large skin incisions and extensive tissue retraction and resection result in considerable post-operative pain and prolonged recovery time
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical approach is segmented into separate incisions: one incision for implant insertion and another smaller incision for rod insertion. This allows each incision to be optimized for its specific purpose, reducing the size of each individual incision while maintaining proper implant placement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
A rod insertion instrument is introduced as an intermediary tool that allows the rod to be inserted through a separate, smaller incision. The instrument includes a rod receiver that guides the rod into the implant's rod receiving portion, enabling precise rod connection without requiring a large incision.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If minimally invasive paraspinal approach is used to reduce tissue trauma, then post-operative pain and recovery time are reduced, but accessing the spinal area and performing rod insertion becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The rod insertion instrument serves as a mediator that bridges the gap between the smaller minimally invasive incision and the deep spinal implant site. The instrument's shaft and rod receiver allow the surgeon to manipulate and insert the rod through the limited access provided by the paraspinal approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual manipulation required in open surgery is replaced with a structured mechanical system (the rod insertion instrument) that provides guided access and controlled insertion, making the minimally invasive approach as effective as open surgery for rod insertion.
3Device complexity
If the rod is inserted through the same incision as the implant(s), then the number of incisions is reduced, but the incision size must be large enough to accommodate both implants and rod, increasing tissue trauma
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical procedure is segmented into two separate incisions: one for implant insertion and another for rod insertion. This segmentation allows each incision to be smaller and optimized for its specific purpose, avoiding the need for a single large incision that would be required to accommodate both implants and rod simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The rod insertion instrument acts as an intermediary that enables rod insertion through a separate, smaller incision. This instrument makes it feasible to separate the incisions without compromising the ability to insert the rod, thus reducing tissue trauma while maintaining procedural completeness.
4Reliability
If implants are anchored at varying depths in the body, then proper spinal fixation can be achieved, but connecting the rod to multiple implants at different depths becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The rod insertion instrument with its rod receiver serves as an intermediary that simplifies the connection process. The rod receiver is designed to receive and guide the rod into the implant's rod receiving portion, accommodating varying implant depths through the instrument's shaft length and manipulation capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The rod insertion instrument provides dynamic manipulation capabilities, allowing the surgeon to adjust the angle and depth of rod insertion to match the varying depths of different implants. The instrument can be maneuvered to reach implants at different positions while maintaining control over the rod insertion process.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for performing spinal fixation and instrumentation. A first incision may be made through the skin and a passageway may be created to the spine. A screw may be inserted through the passageway and into a vertebrae. The screw may have a head portion including a channel. An insertion guide may be operable connected to the screw. The insertion guide may have first and second longitudinal slots. Additional screws may each be inserted through separate incisions or through the first incision. Insertion guides may be operably connected to a head portion of each screw. A sleeve may be positioned into one insertion guide in a first position to guide a rod through at least one other insertion guide. The sleeve may be rotated to a second position to allow the rod to move down the slots of the insertion guide(s) and into the head portion of the screw.