Laterally Inserted Spinous Process Plate for Minimally Invasive Spinal Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal fixation methods, particularly for lumbar arthrodesis, are invasive and require prolonged hospitalization and rehabilitation, with posterior approaches leading to muscle atrophy and increased morbidity, while lateral interbody fusion often necessitates additional instrumentation and incisions to achieve stability.
Innovation Solution
A laterally inserted spinous process plate and minimally invasive method for midline posterior fixation, allowing for percutaneous placement without additional incisions or repositioning the patient, preserving paraspinal muscles and using a partially threaded bolt system with deployment nuts and locking mechanisms for secure fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional posterior surgical approaches are used for spinal fixation, then stable fixation and spinal fusion can be achieved, but muscle atrophy, increased morbidity, and prolonged hospitalization occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention inverts the traditional posterior approach by using an anterior lateral approach to achieve spinous process fixation. Instead of accessing the spinous processes from the back, the device is inserted from the front through the intervertebral disc space, thereby avoiding muscle dissection and retraction that cause atrophy and morbidity, while still achieving stable fixation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses the intervertebral disc space as an intermediary pathway to reach the spinous processes. By inserting the fixation device through the disc space rather than directly through muscle tissue, the approach achieves fixation stability while minimizing harm to paraspinal muscles
2Loss of time
If lateral interbody fusion is performed, then operative time can be reduced, but additional instrumentation and incisions are required to achieve stability
Solution Approach 1:
The fixation device serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides lateral interbody fusion support, achieves spinous process fixation for stability, and eliminates the need for separate instrumentation. This multi-functionality reduces both operative time and device complexity by combining what would traditionally require multiple separate components into a single integrated device
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the lateral interbody fusion function with the spinous process fixation function into a single device. By combining these two functions that would traditionally require separate instrumentation and incisions, the device reduces overall complexity and operative time while maintaining fixation stability
3Object-affected harmful factors
If minimally invasive percutaneous placement is used, then morbidity and recovery time are reduced, but device placement precision and stability must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into expandable portions that can be inserted in a compact percutaneous manner and then expanded to achieve stable fixation. This segmentation allows the device to pass through small incisions while maintaining the capability to provide precise and stable placement once deployed
Solution Approach 2:
The fixation device incorporates dynamic expandability, transitioning from a compact insertion configuration to an expanded fixation configuration. This dynamic characteristic allows minimally invasive percutaneous placement while ensuring that once positioned, the device achieves the precision and stability required for effective fixation
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is directed to a laterally inserted spinous process plating device and a method for installing the device using a minimally invasive procedure. The device includes a partially threaded bolt as well as a contralateral and ipsilateral fixation plates, a deployment nut, a lag nut and a locking nut. Each fixation plate includes a pair of wing portions that are pivotally connected to one another to facilitate installation. The each of the fixation plates includes anchoring elements.