Spinal Spacer Guiding Rail for Precision Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal implantation techniques face challenges due to limited visibility and difficulty in accessing the surgical site, especially in the cervical spine, where small vertebral bodies and surrounding anatomy hinder proper implant positioning, and often result in significant scar tissue formation, complicating subsequent procedures.
Innovation Solution
A prosthetic intervertebral spacer with an arcuate interface and a surgical tool designed to facilitate precise insertion and rotation within the intervertebral disc space, featuring a T-shaped rail with a notch and a steering element, allowing for improved alignment and reduced scar tissue formation through controlled rotation and engagement with the annulus fibrosis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional interbody fusion techniques are used to insert spinal implants, then the implant can be placed in the intervertebral space, but visibility to the surgical site is hindered by patient anatomy making proper positioning difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a guiding rail as an intermediary device that extends from the implant into the disc space. This rail provides a physical reference structure that improves visibility and accessibility for the surgeon, allowing precise positioning of the implant without requiring direct visual access to the deep intervertebral space. The rail acts as a mediator between the implant and the surgeon's instruments.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional IF procedures involve manipulation of patient anatomy and distraction of vertebral bodies, then the implant can be inserted, but significant scar tissue is formed which is detrimental to subsequent procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding rail is prepared and positioned in advance before the final implant insertion. By pre-positioning the rail that defines the insertion path, the procedure allows for controlled, minimal manipulation of the vertebral bodies and surrounding anatomy. This preliminary setup enables the implant to be inserted through a predetermined path that minimizes tissue disruption and scar formation.
3Volume of moving object
If the vertebral bodies are small as in the cervical spine, then the anatomy is compact, but access to and visibility of the surgical site becomes rather difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding rail extends the surgical workspace into a new dimension by projecting reference structures into the disc space. This dimensional extension allows the surgeon to access and position implants in small vertebral bodies by working through the rail structure rather than requiring direct access to the confined intervertebral space, effectively overcoming the limitations imposed by small vertebral body size.
Data Source
AI summary
A prosthetic intervertebral spacer includes a body and an interface extending away from the body for use during implantation of the spacer. The interface can be a rail including a neck portion connected to the body and a lip portion connected to the neck portion. The lip portion can be wider than the neck portion in a direction extending between the top and bottom surfaces of the implant. Methods of implanting the spacer and tools used during such procedure are also provided.