Surgical Access System with Mapping Spacer for Spinal Tumor Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for accessing and mapping spinal tumors for ablation lack precision, potentially leading to irreversible damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
Innovation Solution
A surgical access system comprising a cannula, a mapping spacer, and a trocar, which allows for controlled advancement of a distal cutting tip through tissue, enabling precise mapping and access to spinal tumors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If current methods for accessing and mapping spinal tumors are used, then the procedure can be completed, but precision is insufficient leading to potential damage to surrounding healthy tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The mapping spacer is divided into multiple depth indicators (first depth indicator, second depth indicator, third depth indicator) that segment the insertion depth into measurable intervals. This segmentation allows precise measurement of trocar penetration depth into the vertebra, enabling accurate mapping of the spinal tumor while preventing excessive insertion that could damage surrounding healthy tissue.
Solution Approach 2:
The mapping spacer acts as an intermediary device between the trocar and the vertebra. It provides a controlled interface that limits trocar insertion depth through its physical structure and depth indicators, allowing precise mapping of the tumor boundaries while preventing the trocar from penetrating too deeply and damaging healthy tissue beyond the tumor.
2Length of moving object
If the trocar is advanced further to improve access to the tumor, then better access is achieved, but the risk of damaging surrounding healthy tissue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static insertion approach to a dynamic, controlled advancement process. The mapping spacer with its depth indicators provides real-time feedback on trocar insertion depth, allowing the operator to dynamically adjust and control the extension distance of the trocar. This ensures the trocar reaches the tumor (improving access) while stopping before damaging healthy tissue beyond the tumor boundaries.
Solution Approach 2:
The depth indicators on the mapping spacer provide visual feedback to the operator during trocar insertion. As the trocar advances, the operator can observe which depth indicator aligns with the trocar tip, providing continuous feedback on insertion depth. This feedback mechanism enables precise control of trocar extension distance, ensuring adequate access to the tumor while preventing excessive insertion that would damage surrounding healthy tissue.
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 system facilitates precise access and mapping of spinal tumors, allowing for effective ablation while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
Implementation Method 1
Such ablation may be accomplished by applying electromagnetic energy such as RF energy or microwave energy to the tumor tissue to heat and, thereby, ablate the tumor tissue
Implementation Method 2
heating the tumor tissue to sufficiently high temperatures to destroy, e.g., ablate, the tumor tissue while maintaining surrounding healthy tissue at lower temperatures to avoid irreversible damage
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical access system includes a cannula, a mapping spacer, and a trocar. The cannula includes a proximal base and an elongated cannula body extending distally therefrom. The mapping spacer is configured to releasably engage the proximal base and includes first and second uprights defining a slot therebetween. The trocar includes a proximal handle and an elongated trocar body extending distally therefrom to a distal cutting tip. The elongated trocar body is insertable through the mapping spacer and cannula. In a first orientation of the trocar relative to the mapping spacer, the proximal handle is configured to abut the first and second uprights to inhibit extension of the distal cutting tip from the proximal base beyond an initial position. In a second orientation of the trocar, the proximal handle is slidable through the slot to enable extension of the distal cutting tip distally towards an extended position.