Spinal Stabilization Insertion Tool for Flexible Cord Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spinal stabilization systems face challenges in minimizing tissue displacement and incision size during surgical procedures, particularly with flexible stabilization elements like cords, which are difficult to maneuver due to their flexible nature.
Innovation Solution
A method and system involving a positioning tool with an elongated slot to guide a delivery device and connecting element, allowing for minimally invasive insertion of vertebral anchors and flexible spacers with varying elastic characteristics to facilitate dynamic spinal stabilization, enabling precise placement and tensioning of connecting elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible cord is used for dynamic stabilization, then spinal mobility is enhanced, but the cord is difficult to maneuver through tissue during insertion
Solution Approach 1:
A rigid delivery device is used as an intermediary tool to guide and advance the flexible cord through tissue. The delivery device provides the necessary rigidity for maneuverability during insertion, while the flexible cord maintains its flexibility for spinal mobility after implantation. The cord is threaded through the delivery device, allowing precise placement without compromising either insertion ease or post-implantation adaptability.
2Manufacturing precision
If traditional open surgical procedures are used for spinal stabilization, then proper placement of stabilization elements can be achieved, but tissue displacement and incision size are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical procedure is segmented into separate incisions: a first incision for inserting the delivery device and a second incision for extracting the cord. This allows the delivery device to be inserted through a minimal incision, placed precisely using the delivery device's guidance features, and then the cord extracted through a separate small incision. This segmentation enables precise placement while minimizing tissue displacement and incision size compared to traditional open procedures.
3Measurement precision
If a rigid delivery device is used to guide the flexible cord, then insertion precision is improved, but the delivery device itself may cause tissue damage
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery device incorporates a flexible coating or thin film layer on its outer surface. This flexible shell reduces friction and trauma to surrounding tissues during insertion and extraction, while the underlying rigid structure maintains insertion precision. The flexible coating acts as a protective interface between the rigid delivery device and the soft tissue, minimizing damage while preserving guidance accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of inserting a spinal stabilization system into a patient generally comprises inserting a first positioning tool through a first location on a patient's skin and along a path generally toward a first vertebral anchor, coupling an end of the first positioning tool to the first vertebral anchor, positioning at least a portion of a delivery device over a connecting element, and inserting the delivery device and the connecting element through the patient's skin at the first location and along at least a portion of the first positioning tool. The first positioning tool is configured to facilitate directing the delivery device and connecting element generally toward a second vertebral anchor within the patient's body.