Trajectory Guidance Device for Spinal Surgery Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical procedures involving the vertebrae face challenges due to the need for precise and accurate trajectory guidance to avoid neural damage and injury to blood vessels, particularly when penetrating cortical bone and traversing cancellous bone, which often requires excessive force and increases the risk of unintended penetration through the other side of the vertebra.
Innovation Solution
The systems and methods provide trajectory guidance by implanting a reference surgical device to set a reference trajectory angle, using a trajectory guidance device with an angle scale to determine the trajectory for a second surgical device, allowing for precise angulation and access without cutting the skin, thereby minimizing tissue disruption and risk of injury to surrounding tissues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a large force is applied to penetrate the cortical bone, then the surgical device can successfully penetrate the hard cortical bone, but the risk of rapidly penetrating through the cancellous bone and out the other side of the vertebra increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a trajectory guidance device as an intermediary tool between the surgeon and the surgical instrument. This device includes angle scales and reference devices that mediate the force application process by providing real-time trajectory feedback, allowing the surgeon to maintain precise control and avoid unintended penetration while still achieving cortical bone penetration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces pure mechanical force application with a guided system that incorporates angular measurement and trajectory monitoring. The trajectory guidance device substitutes direct manual force control with a systematic approach using reference devices and angle scales to control the penetration process
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a single incision is used for multiple surgical steps, then tissue disruption is minimized, but the approach angle into the disc space becomes problematic for larger implants
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic trajectory adjustment capabilities that allow the surgical approach to be modified during the procedure. The trajectory guidance device enables real-time adjustment of the approach angle while maintaining the single incision benefit, allowing optimal angles for different surgical steps including implant insertion
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the surgical procedure into distinct phases with trajectory optimization for each phase. The trajectory guidance device allows different approach angles to be established for different surgical steps (access, disc preparation, implant insertion) while maintaining a single incision site
3Measurement precision
If trajectory guidance is implemented using reference devices and angle scales, then precision and accuracy of surgical access are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses simple geometric copying principles where the trajectory guidance device creates angular references based on anatomical landmarks. The angle scales and reference devices copy essential trajectory information without requiring complex electronic systems, maintaining simplicity while achieving precision
Solution Approach 2:
The trajectory guidance device serves as a simple intermediary that translates anatomical relationships into measurable angular parameters. The system uses basic geometric intermediaries (reference lines, angle scales) rather than complex measurement systems
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for trajectory guidance during surgical procedures, for example, monitoring and identifying a desired trajectory of surgical access devices and implants for the purpose of preventing unintended injury to surrounding tissues, such as nerves, blood vessels, cartilage, or bone.