Minimally Invasive Tissue Removal System for Spinal Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical methods for treating vertebral disc herniation and vertebral compression fractures are invasive, risking neurovascular complications and requiring extensive dissection, while existing minimally invasive procedures like vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty have limitations in accessing and stabilizing the spine.
Innovation Solution
A tissue removal system comprising a handheld device with a distal sheath, motor, and elongate member that can be configured for minimally invasive insertion into vertebral discs or vertebral bodies, allowing for precise tissue removal and stabilization without extensive dissection, using a combination of aspiration and mechanical disruption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If open surgical procedures are used to treat disc herniation, then adequate surgical exposure is achieved, but extensive dissection of muscle, connective tissue and bone is required, increasing invasiveness and complication risk
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical procedure is divided into two separate steps: first inserting a drillable rod through a minimal incision, then performing the discectomy and securing the rod afterward. This segmentation allows adequate surgical exposure during the procedure while minimizing the initial invasiveness of the approach.
Solution Approach 2:
A drillable rod is introduced as an intermediary element that can be inserted through a minimal incision and provides structural support during the procedure. The rod serves as a mediator that enables spinal stabilization without requiring extensive dissection at the initial access stage.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If minimally invasive procedures are used, then tissue damage is reduced, but access to the vertebral disc or body may be insufficient for effective treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The procedure segments the access and treatment phases, using a minimal incision only for rod insertion while the actual disc or vertebral body treatment is performed through separate, controlled access methods, thereby maintaining minimal tissue damage while ensuring adequate treatment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The drillable rod is inserted preliminarily through a minimal incision before the main treatment procedure. This preliminary action establishes structural support and access pathway while causing minimal tissue damage, preparing the site for subsequent effective treatment.
3Stability of the object's composition
If vertebral body replacement or fusion surgery is performed, then spinal stabilization is achieved, but the procedures are highly invasive with long recovery times
Solution Approach 1:
The complex, invasive elements of traditional fusion surgery (extensive bone removal, large implants, lengthy procedures) are extracted and replaced with a simplified approach using a drillable rod that can be inserted through minimal access, achieving stabilization without the harmful invasiveness of conventional fusion techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes key parameters of spinal stabilization: using a drillable rod instead of traditional fusion cages or plates, minimizing incision size, reducing operative time, and lowering implant profile. These parameter changes maintain spinal stabilization efficacy while dramatically reducing invasiveness and recovery time.
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
Enables minimally invasive access and treatment of vertebral disc herniation and compression fractures, reducing the risk of neurovascular complications and promoting spinal stabilization with less tissue damage and faster recovery.
Implementation Method 1
an inner shaft coupled to the motor
Implementation Method 2
the distal sheath comprises at least one element that engages the tip portion to couple the tip portion to the distal sheath
Implementation Method 3
The coupling between the tip portion and the distal sheath may define at least one aspiration port (e.g. a plurality of aspiration ports) therebetween
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for minimally invasive discectomy procedures are described herein. In some variations, a tissue removal system may comprise a handheld housing, an outer shaft comprising a distal portion and a proximal portion coupled to the handheld housing, a distal sheath coupled to the distal portion of the outer shaft, a motor, an inner shaft coupled to the motor, where the inner shaft is located partially within the outer shaft and partially within the distal sheath, a tip portion coupled to a distal portion of the inner shaft, and an elongate member distally extending through a distal opening of the inner shaft, the elongate member having a retracted configuration and an extended configuration, where the distal sheath comprises at least one element (e.g. at least one protrusion) that engages the tip portion to couple the tip portion to the distal sheath.