Percutaneous Spinal Rod Delivery via Sidewall Openings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current minimally invasive spinal fixation procedures are limited by the length of spinal fixation elements, typically restricted to less than 95 mm, which limits the number of spinal levels that can be fused and increases tissue damage and patient trauma due to the need for multiple incisions and transverse rod introduction.
Innovation Solution
The method and devices allow for the minimally invasive delivery and positioning of longer spinal fixation elements (greater than 95 mm) using percutaneous access devices with opposed sidewall openings, reducing the number of incisions and minimizing tissue damage by delivering the fixation element laterally through these openings rather than axially through the access device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If transverse introduction of the rod is used to minimize incisions, then the number of incisions is reduced, but significant damage to surrounding tissue and muscle occurs
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of introducing the rod transverse to the access device (conventional method), the invention introduces the rod parallel to the longitudinal axis of the access device through the same percutaneous incision. This inverted approach allows the rod to be delivered along the same trajectory as the access device, minimizing additional tissue disruption while maintaining the benefit of reduced incision number.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If percutaneous access devices are used to minimize incisions, then tissue damage is reduced, but the length of spinal fixation elements is limited to less than 95 mm
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the dimension of rod introduction from transverse (perpendicular to access device axis) to longitudinal (parallel to access device axis). This dimensional change allows longer rods to be delivered through the same percutaneous access device trajectory, overcoming the 95 mm length limitation while maintaining minimal tissue damage benefits.
3Ease of operation
If three separate access sites are used for rod introduction, then the rod can be properly positioned, but patient trauma and recovery time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the function of separate access sites into a single percutaneous access device. The rod is introduced through the same access device used for screw placement, combining multiple surgical steps into one access point. This eliminates the need for three separate incisions, reducing patient trauma and recovery time while maintaining proper rod positioning capability.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for delivering a spinal fixation element to a surgical site are provided herein. More specifically, the method includes delivering a plurality of percutaneous access devices to a corresponding number of spinal locations, inserting a spinal fixation element through tissue, and manipulating the element through opposed sidewall openings formed in each access device. In an exemplary embodiment, the method can be optimized for position of large-scale fixation elements (e.g., greater than about 95 mm in length). In addition, a manipulation instrument configured to position such spinal fixation elements is also provided herein.