From Stryker
https://www.stryker.com/us/en/spine/products/es2.html
The intelligently engineered Tiger pedicle access needles are designed to provide a pedicle access solution. All Tiger needles have been engineered to deliver the Y-Wire, a patented guidewire designed to minimize inadvertent advancement of the wire through bone.
Despite the benefits of minimally invasive spine (MIS) surgery including decreased soft tissue disruption, blood loss, and hospital stay, MIS surgery has inherent risks to both the patient and the surgeon. There are numerous studies demonstrating increased radiation exposure secondary to the increased use of fluoroscopic x-ray, which can increase the risk of cataracts and malignancy. Additionally, inadvertent advancement of standard guide wires through the vertebral body can occur, especially in osteoporotic bone, placing vital structures ventral to the spine at risk. This study evaluates the benefit of utilizing a novel guide wire (Safe Wire, Y-Wire) for percutaneous pedicle screw placement.