Minimally Invasive Vertebral Rod Installation Instrumentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional spinal fixation surgery requires large incisions and extensive tissue retraction, leading to complications and prolonged patient recovery due to the need for accurate placement and configuration of spinal fixation elements.

Innovation Solution

A minimally invasive surgical tool kit that includes elongate members with handles and connecting element retainers, allowing for the insertion and reorientation of spinal rods relative to vertebral anchors through smaller incisions, using pivoting mechanisms and adjustable clamps to facilitate secure attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional surgical methods are used with large midline incisions to provide sufficient visualization of the pedicle bone structure, then the surgeon can achieve accurate placement and configuration of spinal fixation elements, but the patient experiences extended recovery time and surgical complications due to extensive tissue retraction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplacement accuracyVSAvoidrecovery time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The surgical approach is segmented into multiple small incisions rather than one large inciction. Each small inciction allows insertion of specialized instruments (elongate members with retainer assemblies) that can independently access and manipulate pedicle screws at different vertebral levels, eliminating the need for extensive tissue retraction while maintaining placement accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Elongate members with retainer assemblies serve as intermediary tools that bridge the gap between small external incisions and deep internal target sites. These intermediaries transmit mechanical forces and maintain precise positioning of connecting elements without requiring direct visual exposure of the surgical field

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If conventional surgical methods require extensive tissue retraction to access the spine, then the surgeon can directly visualize and manipulate the pedicle bone structure, but this causes surgical complications and increased patient morbidity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedirect visualizationVSAvoidtissue damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Direct visual mechanical manipulation through large incisions is replaced by instrumented mechanical manipulation through small incisions. The retainer assemblies on elongate members provide mechanical retention and positioning of connecting elements without requiring direct visual exposure, substituting the need for extensive tissue retraction with specialized mechanical delivery systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting elements are nested within the elongate members during delivery. The retainer assembly on the elongate member holds the connecting element in a compressed or nested state, allowing it to pass through small incisions and then be deployed into its final configuration at the target site, minimizing tissue disruption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Reliability

If pedicle screws and hooks are attached to multiple vertebrae with conventional methods, then spinal fixation can be achieved, but the procedure becomes lengthy and complex requiring extended surgical time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixation stabilityVSAvoidsurgical efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The functions of screw insertion, connecting element retention, and positioning are merged into an integrated retainer assembly on the elongate member. This combination allows simultaneous performance of multiple tasks that would otherwise require separate surgical steps, instruments, and exposures, thereby reducing surgical time while maintaining fixation stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The retainer assembly is pre-configured on the elongate member with the connecting element before insertion. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for time-consuming intraoperative assembly and adjustment steps, allowing the surgeon to simply insert the pre-assembled unit and achieve immediate fixation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8460300B2Instrumentation and associated techniques for minimally invasive vertebral rod installation

Publication Date: 2013.06.11 HIGHRIDGE MEDICAL LLC

AI summary

Spinal fixation systems may be installed utilizing instruments and techniques alone or in combination with selectively attached extension members mounted on vertebral anchors to extend percutaneously from the spine. The surgical procedures associated with this invention involve making small, discrete incisions for the placement of select vertebral anchors. The extension members retract soft tissue, muscle and the like to thereby provide visibility and access to the head of the anchor. Instrumentation is utilized to deliver and install components such as a spine rod, set screw and other required hardware to the anchors. Once a spine rod or other components are secured to the pedicle screws, the instrumentation and extension members are removed from the patient.