Tissue Modification Device Anchoring Spinal Stenosis Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for spinal stenosis, such as laminectomy and spinal fusion, are highly invasive and lead to long-term morbidity and loss of spinal function, as they require significant removal of vertebral bone and joint structures, causing instability and limiting motion.
Innovation Solution
A minimally invasive method using an elongate, flexible tissue modification device with anchoring and tensioning forces to target impinging tissues while protecting adjacent non-target tissues, allowing for tissue modification without extensive bone or joint removal, thereby reducing the need for spinal fusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If laminectomy and spinal fusion are performed to treat spinal stenosis, then neural and neurovascular impingement is relieved, but significant vertebral bone and joint structures are removed causing spinal instability and loss of motion
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts only the specific impinging tissue (ligamentum flavum, disc material, bone spurs) that is causing neural and neurovascular compression, rather than removing large portions of vertebral bone and joint structures as in laminectomy. This targeted extraction relieves impingement while preserving the structural integrity and stability of the vertebral column.
2Reliability
If laminectomy and spinal fusion are performed to treat spinal stenosis, then neural and neurovascular impingement is relieved, but long-term morbidity and loss of spinal function occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes only the specific pathological tissue causing impingement through minimally invasive techniques, avoiding the extensive bone and joint removal that leads to long-term morbidity and functional loss. This selective extraction preserves spinal function while relieving compression on neural and neurovascular structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the traditional mechanical open surgical approach (laminectomy requiring large incisions and extensive tissue removal) with minimally invasive techniques that use smaller access points and cause less trauma to surrounding tissues, thereby reducing long-term morbidity and preserving spinal function.
3Stability of the object's composition
If minimally invasive tissue modification is used to treat spinal stenosis, then spinal stability is preserved, but effective modification of impinging tissues must be achieved without extensive bone or joint removal
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a minimally invasive tissue modification device as an intermediary tool that can deliver effective tissue modification (cutting, ablation, or removal of impinging tissues) through small access points. This intermediary device enables thorough treatment of the target tissue while preserving spinal stability by avoiding extensive bone and joint removal.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for modifying tissue in a patient may involve one or more of the following steps: advancing at least a distal portion of at least one elongate, at least partially flexible tissue modification device into a patient and between one or more target tissues and one or more non-target tissues; positioning at least one tissue modifying member of the tissue modification device adjacent the target tissue such that the tissue modifying member(s) face the target tissue and do not face the non-target tissue; applying an anchoring force to the tissue modification device at or near the distal portion or a proximal portion of the device; applying a tensioning force to the tissue modification device at or near an opposite end of the device relative to the end to which anchoring force is applied, while maintaining the anchoring force, to urge the tissue modifying member(s) against the target tissue; and modifying the target tissue, using the tissue modifying member(s), while preventing the tissue modifying member(s) from extending significantly beyond the target tissue toward the proximal or distal portion of the tissue modification device during tissue modification.