Steerable Cannula Assembly for Vertebral Augmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current minimally invasive vertebral augmentation techniques lack effective directional control and tactile feedback, making it difficult to safely and accurately reposition and augment damaged vertebrae to restore spinal lordosis.
Innovation Solution
A steerable cannula assembly comprising an outer cannula with an articulating portion that curves in response to force applied to its proximal end, and an inner cannula that can flex within the outer cannula's lumen, allowing for controlled curvature and improved directional precision during vertebral body augmentation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid cannula is used for vertebral augmentation, then the structural strength and stability are improved, but the directional control and tactile feedback deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The cannula is divided into multiple segments including a proximal rigid portion for structural strength, a mid-portion with articulation mechanism for directional control, and a distal rigid portion for stability. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function optimally.
Solution Approach 2:
The cannula incorporates a dynamic articulation mechanism in the mid-portion that allows the cannula to bend and change direction in response to applied forces, providing tactile feedback while maintaining overall structural integrity through the rigid proximal and distal portions.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid cannula is used for vertebral augmentation, then the structural stability is improved, but the tactile feedback deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cannula is segmented into rigid portions for stability and a flexible mid-portion for tactile feedback, allowing the system to maintain structural integrity while providing sensory information to the operator.
Solution Approach 2:
The mid-portion of the cannula uses flexible material or structure that can deform elastically, providing tactile feedback to the operator while the rigid proximal and distal portions maintain structural stability during the procedure.
3Manufacturing precision
If an expandable balloon is used to form a cavity, then the control over injected bone cement is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The expandable balloon is nested within the steerable cannula assembly, allowing the balloon to be delivered through the cannula and deployed at the target site. This nested configuration enables cavity formation with controlled bone cement injection while integrating the balloon mechanism into the existing cannula structure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The steerable cannula assembly provides enhanced control and precision for vertebral body augmentation, enabling effective restoration of spinal lordosis and improved safety during minimally invasive procedures.
Implementation Method 1
an articulating portion (310) that curves in response to a force applied to a proximal end (306) of the outer cannula (102)
Implementation Method 2
an inner cannula (104) that can flex within the outer cannula's lumen
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
A steerable cannula assembly for use in vertebral body augmentation comprises an outer cannula having a central lumen extending through it, and having an articulating portion that curves in response to a force applied to a proximal end of the outer cannula. An inner cannula has a central lumen extending through it, the inner cannula being sized and configured to extend into a portion of the central lumen of the outer cannula, and coupled to a distal end of the outer cannula. The cannula can be used to create a void within a vertebral body and may also be used to control delivery of a treatment element to the body.