Ultrasonic Spinal Surgery Method for Disc Leveling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional discectomy procedures are often lengthy, invasive, and carry a risk of recurrent disc herniation, with no material replacement for the removed disc tissue, leading to potential future complications.

Innovation Solution

A surgical method using an ultrasonic tool to fragment and aspirate the nucleus pulposus, followed by insertion of a graft or prosthetic disc between vertebrae, with ultrasonic vibration to level and texture vertebral surfaces for enhanced adhesion and integration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If open discectomy is performed with complete removal of disc material, then nerve compression is relieved, but risk of recurrent herniation increases to 10-15%

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverisk of recurrent herniationVSAvoiddisc material removal

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies this principle by removing only the herniated portion of the disc material while preserving the healthy disc tissue and annulus fibrosus. The selective removal approach discards only the problematic nucleus pulposus that caused nerve compression, while recovering and keeping the functional disc structures intact, thereby reducing recurrent herniation risk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts only the specific herniated disc material that is causing nerve compression, rather than removing the entire disc. This targeted extraction of the problematic portion allows relief of nerve compression while maintaining the structural integrity of the remaining disc, thus reducing the risk of recurrence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If complete discectomy is performed, then nerve compression is relieved, but procedure time and invasiveness increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenerve compression reliefVSAvoidprocedure time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the disc into functional portions: the healthy disc tissue that should be preserved and the herniated portion that should be removed. This segmentation allows the surgeon to selectively treat only the problematic area, reducing procedure time and invasiveness while effectively relieving nerve compression.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by applying different treatment approaches to different regions of the disc: complete removal of the herniated material at the affected site while preserving the healthy disc tissue. This localized treatment approach reduces overall procedure time and invasiveness compared to complete discectomy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If no graft or prosthetic disc is inserted after discectomy, then procedure simplicity is maintained, but structural support and adhesion are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocedure simplicityVSAvoidgraft adhesion to vertebral bone

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a graft or prosthetic disc as an intermediary element between the vertebral bodies after discectomy. This intermediary provides structural support and promotes bone adhesion and fusion, addressing the strength deficiency that would otherwise result from complete disc removal, while adding only minimal complexity to the procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite materials in the form of grafts or prosthetic discs that combine biocompatible materials to provide both structural support and promote biological integration with the vertebral bone. These composite structures offer the necessary mechanical strength while facilitating bone adhesion and fusion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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

This method reduces procedure time, minimizes invasiveness, and enhances the integration of grafts or synthetic discs, potentially reducing the risk of recurrent herniation and improving surgical outcomes.

Implementation Method 1

generating a standing wave of ultrasonic frequency in the tool while the distal end of the tool is disposed in the spinal disc, thereby fragmenting a nucleus of the spinal disc

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasonic vibration: Ultrasonic Vibration

Implementation Method 2

generating a standing wave of ultrasonic frequency in the tool while the distal end of the tool is disposed in the spinal disc

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectStanding wave: Resonance

Data Source

PatentUS8353912B2Ultrasonic spinal surgery method

Publication Date: 2013.01.15 MISONIX INC

AI summary

In a discectomy method one removes at least a substantial portion of a spinal disc. Thereafter one operates an ultrasonic instrument to level opposing faces of vertebrae on opposite sides of the removed spinal disc. Graft or synthetic disc material is inserted between the vertebrae so that the graft or synthetic disc material is in contact with the leveled opposing faces. In an associated nucleotomy, a cannulated probe is inserted into a spinal disc and used to remove the nucleus pulposus. A synthetic or substitute nucleus material may then be inserted into the evacuated annulus.