Surgical Shim K-Wire Guide and Barb Stabilization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing minimally invasive surgical access systems, including shims used with retractors, fail to provide adequate stabilization and fixation within the surgical corridor, leading to instability and potential complications during procedures.
Innovation Solution
The development of a surgical shim with a guide that redirects a K-wire to increase the rigidity of the connection between the shim and the spine, combined with barb features to enhance engagement with the intervertebral disc, addresses the need for improved stabilization and fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a complete elongate straight tube is used as a shim, then the structural simplicity is maintained, but the stabilization and fixation capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The guide is segmented into multiple functional zones: a curved portion for K-wire redirection, a straight portion for alignment, and an angled portion for optimal insertion. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function, improving overall stabilization capability while maintaining structural coherence.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide transitions from a simple straight tube to a three-dimensional structure with curved, straight, and angled portions. This dimensional complexity enables the guide to redirect the K-wire along a predetermined path, enhancing fixation capability without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
2Ease of operation
If the tube extends beyond the shim boundaries, then the guide functionality is provided, but the surgical corridor is intruded upon
Solution Approach 1:
The guide is nested within the confines of the shim body, with its curved, straight, and angled portions all contained within the shim's overall footprint. This nesting allows the guide to provide full functionality without extending beyond the shim boundaries and intruding on the surgical corridor.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide incorporates a curved portion that redirects the K-wire within the limited space of the shim. This curvature allows the guide to change the direction of the K-wire without requiring additional linear space, thus maintaining compact dimensions while providing effective guidance functionality.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional shims without barbs are used, then the ease of manufacture is maintained, but the engagement with intervertebral disc is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
Barbs are added only to specific locations on the shim where disc engagement is required, rather than modifying the entire shim structure. This localized addition of barbs enhances engagement strength while minimizing the impact on manufacturing complexity, as barbs can be formed through targeted deformation or attachment processes.
Data Source
AI summary
A retractor includes retractor blades and one or more shims coupled to one or more of the retractor blades. The shims can include features configured to fasten the shim to vertebral anatomy. Such features can facilitate the use a K-wire or barbed features. Example disclosed shim designs include those featuring a K-wire feature, a barbed feature, and a K-wire with barb design.