Vertebral Retraction System with Lateral Protector

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a continuing need for an improved instrument and method to distract vertebral bodies effectively, particularly after partial or complete discectomy, where the space between adjacent vertebral bodies collapses or becomes misaligned, necessitating a solution to maintain normal disc spacing and lordosis.

Innovation Solution

A retractor system comprising pins, retractor blades, a frame with movable arms, and a lateral protector is used to insert pins into vertebral bodies, position retractor blades, and distract the bodies by displacing the frame's arms, while retracting tissue and potentially inserting an implant device to maintain disc space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a partial or complete discectomy is performed to treat spinal disorders, then the affected vertebral bodies can be accessed and treated, but the space between adjacent vertebral bodies collapses and becomes misaligned

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to vertebral bodiesVSAvoiddisc space alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The retractor system is assembled and positioned on the vertebral bodies before the actual distraction and implantation procedures. The pins are inserted, retractor blades positioned, and the frame assembled in advance to prepare the structural framework that will maintain disc space alignment throughout the subsequent surgical steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The retractor system acts as an intermediary device between the collapsed vertebral bodies and the final implant. It provides temporary structural support and maintains the necessary disc space alignment while allowing access for implantation, bridging the gap between the discectomy procedure and permanent stabilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If retractor blades are positioned over pins inserted into vertebral bodies to maintain disc spacing, then normal lordosis can be maintained, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisc spacingVSAvoidretractor system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The retractor system is designed as a multi-functional device that combines pin insertion, retractor blade positioning, frame assembly, and lateral protection capabilities into a single integrated system. This universal approach maintains disc spacing while managing the complexity through functional integration rather than separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The retractor system is divided into distinct modular components including pins, retractor blades, frame arms, and lateral protectors. Each component can be independently positioned and adjusted, allowing the complex function of maintaining disc spacing to be achieved through coordinated action of simpler individual elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Stability of the object's composition

If the frame arms are displaced to distract vertebral bodies, then vertebral realignment is achieved, but tissue damage may occur without proper retraction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevertebral alignmentVSAvoidtissue damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The lateral protector acts as an intermediary protective element between the retractor blades and the surrounding soft tissue. It provides a barrier that prevents direct contact between the mechanical retraction components and vulnerable tissue structures, allowing vertebral distraction to proceed while minimizing harmful effects on adjacent soft tissues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The lateral protectors are positioned in advance to provide protective cushioning for the soft tissue before the distraction force is applied. This pre-positioned protection ensures that when the frame arms are displaced to realign the vertebral bodies, the surrounding tissue is already shielded from potential damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS11116489B2Retraction system and method of use

Publication Date: 2021.09.14 K2M INC

AI summary

A method of distracting adjacent vertebral bodies includes inserting a first pin into a first vertebral body, inserting a second pin into a second vertebral body adjacent the first vertebral body, positioning a first retractor blade over the first pin, positioning a second retractor blade over the second pin, attaching a first arm of a frame to the first retractor blade and a second arm of the frame to the second retractor blade, displacing the second arm of the frame away from the first arm to distract the first and second vertebral bodies, inserting prongs of a lateral protector into respective channels defined in the first and second retractor blades, and retracting tissue by a transverse blade of the lateral protector.