Transpedicular Access System for Spinal Fusion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current percutaneous fusion, discectomy, and stabilization systems face challenges in minimizing nerve injury and epineural fibrosis risks during vertebrae procedures.
Innovation Solution
A system that accesses the disc space between vertebrae via a transpedicular approach, creating a normal channel and an offset channel at an angle to the first, allowing for precise placement of instruments without damaging nerve pathways, thereby reducing the risk of nerve injury.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a normal pedicle channel is created for percutaneous access, then access to the vertebral body is achieved, but the risk of nerve injury and epineural fibrosis increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by creating an offset channel that is angled relative to the normal pedicle channel. This asymmetric approach allows the instrument to access the disc space through a pathway that avoids direct contact with nerve structures, thereby reducing nerve injury risk while maintaining surgical access capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dimensional change by creating a second channel at an angle to the normal pedicle channel. This angular offset creates a three-dimensional pathway that bypasses the hazardous nerve region while still achieving the desired access to the disc space for fusion and stabilization procedures
2Strength
If percutaneous fusion and stabilization procedures are performed, then vertebral stabilization is achieved, but epineural fibrosis may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts or removes the harmful element by using an offset channel approach that separates the surgical instrumentation pathway from the nerve structures. This extraction of the instrument from the nerve vicinity prevents mechanical irritation and subsequent epineural fibrosis while still enabling effective vertebral stabilization through the disc space
3Ease of operation
If traditional percutaneous access methods are used, then surgical access is obtained, but precise instrument placement without nerve damage is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by first creating a normal pedicle channel as a reference pathway, then using this established channel to guide the creation of the offset channel. This preliminary step provides a safe starting point from which to establish the angled offset pathway, ensuring precise instrument placement while avoiding nerve structures
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C~2D
AI summary
Apparatus and methods for accessing an inferior vertebra, a superior vertebra, and a disc space therebetween via a transpedicular approach in the inferior vertebra that may include creating a channel normal to the pedicle and using an offset guide to create a second transpedicular channel at an angle to the first, normal pedicle channel where the second transpedicular channel passes into the inferior vertebra, superior vertebra, or the disc space therebetween.