Stabilizing Apparatus for Minimally Invasive Spinal Procedures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical procedures, particularly those involving the spinal cord, brain, and joints, face challenges in precision and safety due to the limitations of current stabilizing apparatuses, which often require extensive training, have high part counts leading to equipment failure risks, and problematic positioning, including the use of percutaneous posts that increase the risk of injury and infection.
Innovation Solution
A novel stabilizing apparatus comprising a securing arm, connecting arm, positioning arm, and guiding arm with telescoping and clamping mechanisms, allowing for precise positioning and minimally invasive procedures without the need for percutaneous posts, and enabling the use of various medical instruments such as cannulas and neural progenitor cells for delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing stabilizing apparatuses (e.g., Spinal Derrick) are used, then stabilization function is provided, but device complexity increases with over 50 parts
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilizing apparatus is divided into four distinct arms (securing arm, connecting arm, positioning arm, guiding arm), each performing a specific function. This segmentation allows the system to achieve stable positioning while maintaining lower overall complexity compared to integrated 50+ part systems.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple functional components are merged into integrated arm structures. Each arm combines securing, positioning, and guiding functions in a unified structure, reducing the total part count while maintaining stabilization reliability.
2Reliability
If existing stabilizing apparatuses with many parts are used, then stabilization is achieved, but risk of equipment failure or patient injury increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the need for percutaneous posts, which are identified as sources of infection and injury risk. The stabilizing function is achieved through the arm structure alone, removing the harmful invasive elements while maintaining the essential stabilization capability.
3Ease of operation
If percutaneous posts are used for positioning, then positioning function is provided, but risk of infection and injury increases
Solution Approach 1:
Percutaneous posts are completely removed from the system. The positioning function previously performed by posts is transferred to the arm structure through external clamping and positioning mechanisms that do not require penetration of the patient's body.
Solution Approach 2:
The arm structure acts as an intermediary between the external positioning system and the surgical site. Instead of directly inserting posts into the patient, the system uses the arm's positioning capabilities to achieve the same effect without invasive intervention.
4Stability of the object's composition
If four percutaneous posts are used, then positioning stability is achieved, but number of incisions and risk of bleeding increases
Solution Approach 1:
The four percutaneous posts are replaced by a non-invasive arm positioning system. The stability previously achieved through multiple penetrating posts is now obtained through the mechanical structure and clamping mechanisms of the arm, eliminating the need for multiple incisions.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention teaches minimally invasive apparatuses and methods for stabilizing and/or guiding medical instruments used in a variety of medical procedures, including (a) introducing one or more substances into a subject's body, (b) removing one or more substances from a subject's body, (c) manipulating a region of a subject's body, or (d) combinations thereof. Among the many advantages of the inventive apparatuses are their simplicity and adaptability to attach to a variety of retractors.