Minimally Invasive Spinal Stabilization via Segmented Anchor Insertion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for stabilizing bone structures, particularly in vertebral stabilization, often require invasive surgical procedures, leading to increased tissue damage and longer recovery times.

Innovation Solution

A minimally invasive system using anchor extensions and a connecting element to stabilize spinal motion segments while preserving motion, allowing for percutaneous insertion and reduction of vertebral displacement without extensive tissue retraction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional open surgical techniques are used for vertebral stabilization, then reliable stabilization and alignment correction can be achieved, but tissue damage and surgical invasiveness increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestabilization reliabilityVSAvoidtissue damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The surgical procedure is segmented into separate percutaneous steps: first inserting anchors into vertebrae through small incisions, then inserting the connecting element through a separate access point, and finally joining the components together. This segmentation allows each step to be performed through minimal incisions rather than one large open incision, reducing tissue damage while maintaining stabilization reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting element acts as an intermediary component that bridges between the anchors inserted into different vertebrae. This intermediary element allows stabilization to be achieved without direct exposure and manipulation of the vertebral structures, enabling the procedure to be performed percutaneously rather than through open surgery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If percutaneous insertion methods are used, then tissue damage is reduced, but the complexity of instrument coordination and alignment increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue damageVSAvoidinstrument coordination complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The anchors are inserted into the vertebrae first through percutaneous access, establishing predetermined attachment points before the connecting element is inserted. This preliminary action simplifies the subsequent joining step, as the connecting element only needs to be aligned with already-positioned anchors rather than coordinating multiple components simultaneously during insertion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting element is designed with self-aligning features that allow it to automatically position itself relative to the inserted anchors during the joining process. This self-service capability reduces the complexity of instrument coordination required by the surgeon, as the system helps guide proper alignment rather than requiring precise manual coordination of all components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS8002804B2Instruments and methods for minimally invasive spinal stabilization

Publication Date: 2011.08.23 WARSAW ORTHOPEDIC INC

AI summary

Instruments and method are provided for introducing a flexible stabilization element into a patient in a minimally invasive surgical approach and securing the flexible stabilization element to one or more anchors. Also provided are instrument and methods for reduction of displacement between adjacent vertebrae in a minimally invasive surgical approach, and for minimally invasive stabilization of reduced vertebrae.