Transpedicular Spinal Stabilization via Controlled Bone Passage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current spinal fusion techniques require direct visualization and often involve retracting sensitive neural elements, increasing the risk of complications and damage to patients.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for fusing vertebrae using a transpedicular approach, where a passage is created from the posterior end of a pedicle through the superior endplate of the first vertebra into the intervertebral space, allowing for the removal of native tissue and the delivery of implants or grafting materials to promote fusion without direct visualization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional fusion approaches with direct visualization are used, then surgical precision and control are improved, but the risk of complications and damage to neural elements increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical precisionVSAvoidrisk of complications to neural elements

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a reamer as an intermediary tool that creates a controlled passage through the vertebral body and pedicle into the intervertebral space. This reamer serves as a mediator between the surgical approach and the neural elements, allowing tissue removal and implant delivery while maintaining a defined pathway that avoids direct manipulation of neural structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the need for direct visualization by using fluoroscopic guidance instead. The surgical approach removes the requirement for direct visual contact with neural elements by using image-guided techniques, allowing the surgeon to work blind but with precise control through radiographic feedback.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If minimally invasive percutaneous approaches are used, then morbidity is reduced, but the ability to directly visualize and control the surgical field is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovemorbidityVSAvoidability to directly visualize

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of direct visual observation with a radiographic guidance system. Instead of relying on direct sight to guide the surgical instrument, the system uses fluoroscopic imaging to provide real-time feedback, substituting visual mechanics with radiographic mechanics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If neural elements are retracted during implant delivery, then access to the intervertebral space is improved, but the risk of damage to sensitive structures increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to intervertebral spaceVSAvoidrisk of damage to neural elements

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The reamer acts as an intermediary that creates a dedicated pathway through the bone, allowing instruments to reach the intervertebral space without requiring retraction of neural elements. The controlled bore created by the reamer serves as a protected channel that eliminates the need to manipulate sensitive neural structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20250134673A1Devices and methods for transpedicular stabilization of the spine

Publication Date: 2025.05.01 RAED M ALI M D

AI summary

According to some embodiments, a method of accessing an intervertebral space of a patient's spine in a minimally invasive manner compromises creating a passage from a posterior end of a pedicle of a vertebral member using a probe, advancing the probe through the pedicle and to a main body portion of the vertebral member, advancing the probe through a superior endplate of the vertebral member and into the intervertebral space and enlarging the passage using at least one tap to create an enlarged passage from a posterior of the pedicle to the intervertebral space. In some embodiments, the enlarged passage traverses at least three cortical layers of the vertebral member.