Minimally Invasive Spinal Stabilization Adjuster for Vertebral Spacing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spinal stabilization procedures often require large incisions, causing trauma to soft tissue and nerve compression due to inadequate spacing between vertebrae, which can lead to pain and nerve damage.
Innovation Solution
A minimally invasive spinal stabilization system using an instrumentation kit with adjusters to change the separation distance between vertebrae, including compressors and distractors, which includes bone fastener assemblies, elongated members, and closure members to achieve rigid pedicle fixation while minimizing tissue damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional stabilization systems are used, then spinal stabilization can be achieved, but large incisions are required causing trauma to soft tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The spinal stabilization system is divided into modular components including multiple bone fastener assemblies, an elongated member, and separate adjusters. This segmentation allows each component to be inserted through small incisions independently, eliminating the need for large incisions while maintaining full functionality of the stabilization system.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjusters are designed to be inserted through the elongated member, with the elongated member serving as a delivery pathway. This nested configuration allows multiple components to be delivered through a single small incision site, minimizing soft tissue trauma while enabling complex spinal stabilization procedures.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional procedures are used, then stabilization can be achieved, but multiple incisions are required in soft tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The adjusters are designed as multi-functional instruments that can perform multiple operations including compression, distraction, and positioning of bone fastener assemblies. This universality allows a single device to replace multiple separate instruments, reducing the number of incisions needed while maintaining the complexity of stabilization functions.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If vertebrae spacing is not maintained, then surgical access is easier, but nerve compression occurs causing pain and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The adjusters enable dynamic adjustment of the spacing between vertebral bodies after the stabilization system is implanted. Surgeons can modify the distance between vertebrae in real-time to maintain optimal spacing that prevents nerve compression while ensuring proper surgical access and spinal alignment.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If minimally invasive technique is used, then soft tissue trauma is reduced, but precise adjustment of vertebral spacing is more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The adjusters serve as intermediary devices that transmit and amplify the surgeon's manual adjustments into precise movements of the bone fastener assemblies. This mechanical leverage allows for fine-tuned control of vertebral spacing through small incisions, achieving the same precision that would otherwise require direct visual access.
Data Source
AI summary
A spinal stabilization system may be formed in a patient. In some embodiments, a minimally invasive procedure may be used to form a spinal stabilization system in a patient. Bone fastener assemblies may be coupled to vertebrae. Each bone fastener assembly may include a bone fastener and a collar. Extenders may be coupled to the collar to allow for formation of the spinal stabilization system through a small skin incision. The extenders may allow for alignment of the collars to facilitate insertion of an elongated member in the collars. An elongated member may be positioned in the collars and a closure member may be used to secure the elongated member to the collars. An adjuster may be used in conjunction with the extenders to change a separation distance between the bone fastener assemblies.