Intervertebral fusion cage

Abstract

The present application provides an intervertebral fusion cage, which comprises an upper support plate, a lower support plate arranged in a height direction and below the upper support plate, and a drug releasing part connected between the upper support plate and the lower support plate, wherein the drug releasing part comprises a drug storage part, and when the upper support plate and the lower support plate are pressed, the drug in the drug storage part is squeezed out. The intervertebral fusion cage of the present application realizes micro-targeted drug delivery triggered by activity, precise inhibition of local inflammation and significant reduction of systemic side effects by arranging the drug releasing part comprising the drug storage part.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of medical devices, and more particularly to an interbody fusion device. Background Technology

[0002] Following spinal fusion surgery, postoperative inflammation is a key factor affecting patient recovery speed and surgical outcome. Traditional postoperative anti-inflammatory and analgesic treatments often rely on systemic administration, such as oral or intravenous nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). This approach has significant drawbacks: the drug circulates throughout the body, with only a small amount reaching the intervertebral disc target area. To achieve an effective local therapeutic concentration, a larger dose must be used, leading to low drug utilization efficiency and increasing the risk of systemic side effects, such as gastrointestinal discomfort and increased burden on the liver and kidneys.

[0003] To increase local drug concentration, several methods for loading drugs onto interbody fusion cages have emerged in existing technologies. These include fabricating the cage itself with a porous structure and immersing it in drug, or coating its surface with a drug-loaded coating. However, these passive release technologies have inherent drawbacks: their drug release pattern involves an initial burst followed by slow diffusion, and the release curve does not match the actual rhythm of inflammation in the patient. Post-spinal fusion surgery inflammation peaks are often triggered by early ambulation, rehabilitation training, and other mechanical stimuli. Traditional passive release systems cannot respond to this dynamic demand, potentially resulting in insufficient drug concentration when anti-inflammatory measures are needed, while causing drug waste or even local toxicity when not required.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need in this field for an interbody fusion device that can intelligently respond to physiological activities and achieve precise on-demand drug delivery, in order to solve the problems of drug release being out of sync with clinical needs, large systemic side effects, and low local drug delivery efficiency in existing technologies. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide an interbody fusion device to solve the problem that existing drug delivery methods for interbody fusion devices cannot meet clinical needs.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides an interbody fusion device, the interbody fusion device comprising an upper support plate, a lower support plate spaced apart from the upper support plate along the height direction and located below the upper support plate, and a drug release member disposed between the upper support plate and the lower support plate, the drug release member comprising a drug reservoir for storing drugs, the drug release member being configured to deform under pressure to compress the drug reservoir, and the drugs in the drug reservoir being squeezed out when the upper support plate and the lower support plate are squeezed.

[0007] As a further improvement of the present invention, one end of the medicine container is connected to a medicine outlet pipe, a medicine spraying channel is formed inside the medicine outlet pipe, and a medicine outlet is formed at the end of the medicine outlet pipe away from the medicine container.

[0008] As a further improvement of the present invention, a plurality of blocking rings are provided at intervals along the spray direction inside the drug outlet pipe, and the blocking rings are inclined toward the drug tank.

[0009] As a further improvement of the present invention, a nozzle is provided at the drug outlet, the nozzle being used to spray the drug squeezed out from the drug chamber in a mist form.

[0010] As a further improvement of the present invention, the number of medicine containers is multiple.

[0011] As a further improvement of the present invention, the intervertebral fusion device also includes a support member supporting the upper support plate and the lower support plate.

[0012] As a further improvement of the present invention, the support member is divided into a rearward first support part and a forward second support part along the implantation direction, and the support force of the first support part is less than the support force of the second support part.

[0013] As a further improvement of the present invention, the support member includes two first support bars and one second support bar. The first ends of the two first support bars are fixedly connected to the upper support plate, and the second ends of the two first support bars are bent and fixedly connected to the upper support plate and the lower support plate. The first end of the second support bar is fixedly connected to the lower support plate, and the second end of the second support bar is fixedly connected to the second ends of the two first support bars. The second end of the first support bar forms a second support portion, and the first end of the first support bar and the first end of the second support bar form a first support portion.

[0014] As a further improvement of the present invention, the interbody fusion device further includes a height adjustment assembly, which includes an upper adjustment member connected to the upper support plate, a lower adjustment member connected to the lower support plate, an adjustment hole disposed between the upper adjustment member and the lower adjustment member, and an adjustment screw for inserting into the adjustment hole, thereby adjusting the height between the upper adjustment member and the lower adjustment member by inserting the adjustment screw.

[0015] As a further improvement of the present invention, the height adjustment assembly further includes a herringbone-shaped connector. The upper adjustment member and the lower adjustment member are connected at both ends in the horizontal direction by a first abutment post and a second abutment post. The upper end of the connector is fixedly connected to the upper support plate, and the lower end of the connector is fixedly connected to the lower support plate. The first abutment post and the second abutment post are disposed at both ends on the outer side of the connector.

[0016] As a further improvement of the present invention, the connector includes an upper first connecting part and two lower second connecting parts, the two second connecting parts being connected to the first connecting part. The height adjustment assembly further includes a connecting post and a limiting post. The connecting post is fixedly connected to the upper adjusting member and the first connecting part. One end of the limiting post is fixedly connected to the lower adjusting member, and the other end protrudes between the two second connecting parts.

[0017] The beneficial effects of the present invention are: the intervertebral fusion device of the present invention, by setting a drug release device containing a drug tank, can realize micro-volume, targeted drug delivery triggered by activity, accurately inhibit local inflammation and significantly reduce systemic side effects. Attached Figure Description

[0018] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of this application and form part of this application, illustrate exemplary embodiments and are used to explain this application, but do not constitute an undue limitation of this application. In the drawings:

[0019] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the interbody fusion device of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a frontal structural diagram of the interbody fusion device of the present invention in its preoperative state;

[0021] Figure 3 This is a frontal structural diagram of the interbody fusion device of the present invention in the postoperative state;

[0022] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure in the AA direction;

[0023] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional structural schematic diagram of the drug delivery component of the intervertebral fusion device of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 6 This is a top view of the interbody fusion device of the present invention without the filling material;

[0025] Figure 7 This is a top view schematic diagram of the interbody fusion device injected with filler material according to the present invention;

[0026] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the side structure of the interbody fusion device of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 9 yes Figure 8 Schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure in the middle BB direction;

[0028] Figure 10 yes Figure 8A schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the intervertebral fusion device in the CC direction during filling.

[0029] Reference numerals: 100, Interbody fusion device; 1, Upper support plate; 11, First flow channel; 12, Third flow channel; 2, Lower support plate; 21, Second flow channel; 3, Drug release component; 31, Drug chamber; 32, Drug outlet tube; 33, Blocking ring; 34, Spray channel; 35, Drug outlet; 4, Support component; 41, First support part; 42, Second support part; 43, First support bar; 44, Second support bar; 5, Height adjustment component; 51, Upper adjustment component; 52, Lower adjustment component; 53, Adjustment hole; 54, Connector; 55, Connecting column; 6, First injection tube; 7, Second injection tube; 8, Injection port. Detailed Implementation

[0030] The technical solution of the present invention will now be clearly and completely described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0031] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing the invention and for simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the invention. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0032] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal communication between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances. Furthermore, the technical features involved in the different embodiments of this invention described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0033] like Figures 1 to 10As shown, the intervertebral fusion device 100 of the present invention includes an upper support plate 1, a lower support plate 2 spaced apart from the upper support plate 1 and located below the upper support plate 1, and a support member 4 connecting the upper support plate 1 and the lower support plate 2.

[0034] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the upper support plate 1 and the lower support plate 2 are used to abut against the vertebrae. The support member 4 is used to support between the upper support plate 1 and the lower support plate 2.

[0035] The upper support plate 1 and the lower support plate 2 are made of shape memory material and are configured to be in a first, flexed, contracted shape at a first temperature and to return to a stretched, second shape at a second temperature higher than the first temperature. The first temperature is below the human body temperature, and the second temperature is room temperature. The interbody fusion device 100 has a preoperative state before implantation and a postoperative state after implantation. In the preoperative state, the upper support plate 1 and the lower support plate 2 are flexed and contracted; in the postoperative state, the upper support plate 1 and the lower support plate 2 are stretched.

[0036] The memory materials discussed in this article are shape memory materials, which are a class of smart materials that exhibit shape memory effects. They readily undergo plastic deformation at low temperatures, and when heated to above the critical transformation temperature (such as human body temperature), they can completely recover to a pre-set high-temperature phase shape, generating significant restoring force in the process. Memory materials include, but are not limited to, shape memory alloys and shape memory polymers.

[0037] The upper support plate 1 and lower support plate 2, made of memory material, are completely shrunk to reduce their volume before surgery and implanted through a minimally invasive surgical channel, minimizing damage to surrounding tissues. Postoperatively, body temperature triggers the memory material to automatically expand, causing the upper and lower support plates 1 and 2 to unfold, increasing the support area and improving fit with the intervertebral space, achieving individualized adaptation and precisely restoring the physiological alignment. Simultaneously, the increased support area after expansion distributes the load, reducing the risk of fusion cage tilting or displacement due to uneven support, and improving initial stability. Furthermore, the expanded support plates better conform to the anatomical structure of the vertebral endplates, improving post-implantation fit and stability, and reducing the risk of early loosening.

[0038] In this embodiment, when the interbody fusion cage 100 is in its preoperative state, the upper support plate 1 and the lower support plate 2 are bent towards each other along the height direction of their edges in the implantation direction. This design reduces the width of the interbody fusion cage 100 before surgery, resulting in a columnar shape that reduces the surgical access area and minimizes damage to surrounding tissues. Furthermore, the bent edges form a smooth guide surface, effectively pushing aside and reducing scraping and damage to surrounding muscles, blood vessels, and other soft tissues when passing through narrow minimally invasive surgical channels and entering the intervertebral space. The streamlined structure facilitates precise implantation by the surgeon, enhances surgical controllability, and helps place the fusion cage smoothly in the intended position.

[0039] It should be noted that when the upper support plate 1 and the lower support plate 2 are bent before surgery, they can contact each other along the height direction, but after surgery they will still be in a spaced-out state. The preoperative state includes the state immediately after implantation, at which time the upper support plate 1 and the lower support plate 2 are not fully stretched.

[0040] In other embodiments, the upper support plate 1 and the lower support plate 2 can be folded inward along the horizontal direction along the edges of the implantation direction, which can also reduce the preoperative width of the interbody fusion device 100.

[0041] In other embodiments, the support 4 can be made of shape memory material, which can also reduce the preoperative height of the interbody fusion device 100.

[0042] like Figures 6 to 10 As shown, the upper support plate 1 is provided with a first flow channel 11, and the lower support plate 2 is provided with a second flow channel 21. The first flow channel 11 and the second flow channel 21 are used to introduce filling material when the interbody fusion device 100 is in the postoperative state.

[0043] The filler can be hydrogel or bone cement, etc. After curing, it is combined with the upper support plate 1 and lower support plate 2 made of memory material to form a composite structure, which significantly improves the overall stiffness and support strength of the intervertebral fusion device 100 and overcomes the defect that the support force of a single memory material may be insufficient under limited thickness.

[0044] The first flow channel 11 is located on the upper surface of the upper support plate 1 and exposed upwards, while the second flow channel 21 is located on the lower surface of the lower support plate 2 and exposed downwards. After the filler enters the first flow channel 11 and the second flow channel 21, a portion overflows from the grooves on the surfaces of the upper support plate 1 and the lower support plate 2, forming an "adhesion" effect between the interbody fusion cage 100 and the vertebral endplate. This effectively increases friction and fit, significantly reducing the risk of early loosening after implantation.

[0045] In some embodiments, the drug can be incorporated into the filler to precisely suppress local inflammation.

[0046] The upper support plate 1 has a third flow channel 12, and the lower surface of the upper support plate 1 has multiple overflow ports communicating with the third flow channel 12. The overflow ports are configured to allow filler to overflow to connect the upper support plate 1 and the lower support plate 2. After filler is introduced into the third flow channel 12, the filler flows out from the overflow ports to connect the upper support plate 1 and the lower support plate 2 to form multiple strip-shaped connecting structures. In this embodiment, in addition to relying on the support member 4 to achieve the support function along the height direction, the filler flowing out of the third flow channel 12 forms a three-dimensional structure similar to a "spider web" in the intervertebral space. This unique architecture not only significantly enhances the overall longitudinal support stiffness and compression resistance of the intervertebral fusion device 100, but also provides moderate elastic micro-movement during spinal movement, effectively dispersing the load and reducing stress shielding; at the same time, the multiple strip-shaped structures expand the contact area with bone tissue, like internal reinforcing ribs, further improving the stability and osseointegration potential after implantation.

[0047] The first flow channel 11 is connected to the third flow channel 12, which is located below the first flow channel 11. By connecting the upper first flow channel 11 as the main injection channel with the lower third flow channel 12 as a branch distribution network, the filler can be uniformly transported from top to bottom and from the main channel to the branches, and finally flow out synchronously and stably from multiple overflow ports. This ensures that multiple reinforced strip-shaped connection structures with uniform and consistent mechanical properties are quickly formed between the upper and lower support plates 2, effectively improving the reliability of the support and the overall integrity of the fusion device.

[0048] The intervertebral fusion device 100 also includes a first injection tube 6 that communicates with the first flow channel 11. It should be noted that the first injection tube 6 is connected to the end of the first flow channel 11 that is away from the third flow channel 12, and the filler injected through the first injection tube 6 prioritizes filling the first flow channel 11 with filler.

[0049] In this embodiment, the interbody fusion device 100 further includes a second injection tube 7 communicating with the second flow channel 21. The second injection tube 7 can inject filler into the second flow channel 21.

[0050] In this embodiment, the first injection tube 6 and the second injection tube 7 are integrally formed and have a single injection port 8, which communicates with both the first injection tube 6 and the second injection tube 7. In this case, the filler injected into both is the same material, and only one injection tube needs to be connected. In other embodiments, the first injection tube 6 and the second injection tube 7 can be independently configured, allowing different fillers to be introduced into each.

[0051] The first flow channel 11 and the second flow channel 21 are arranged in a reciprocating bending configuration. The reciprocating bending flow channel design significantly extends the flow path of the filler and increases its flow resistance, ensuring a more uniform distribution and sufficient pressure balance of the filler within the flow channel. This effectively prevents premature or concentrated outflow, ultimately allowing the filler flowing out from the upper and lower support plates 2 to synchronously and stably form a uniform and mechanically consistent reinforced structure.

[0052] like Figure 1 , Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the interbody fusion device 100 also includes a drug release device 3 disposed between the upper support plate 1 and the lower support plate 2. The drug release device 3 includes a drug reservoir 31 for storing drugs. The drug release device 3 is configured to deform under pressure to compress the drug reservoir 31. When the upper support plate 1 and the lower support plate 2 are compressed, the drugs in the drug reservoir 31 are squeezed out. The solution of this embodiment can realize the drug delivery mode of "activity-triggered, micro-volume targeting". When the patient walks or bends over, causing the interbody fusion device 100 to be compressed, the drugs in the drug reservoir 31 are squeezed out and can directly act on the local area where new inflammation has occurred due to mechanical stimulation. This on-demand and immediate release method can control the single drug dose to the micro-liter level, thereby accurately clearing inflammatory cells while significantly reducing the total drug dose and the risk of systemic side effects. It can also match the patient's activity level during the rehabilitation period and maintain the effective drug concentration in the intervertebral space around the clock.

[0053] The drug release device 3 can be fixedly connected to the upper support plate 1 and / or the lower support plate 2, or even not directly connected to them, but only abutting against the upper support plate 1 and / or the lower support plate 2 when they are compressed.

[0054] In the specific experimental design, by selecting materials for the drug reservoir 31, it is possible to control the release of only 5-10 μL of micro-dose (containing 0.25-0.5 mg of drug) each time. This can instantly achieve and maintain an effective therapeutic concentration (10-100 μg / mL) in the local area of ​​the intervertebral space. Since the single dose and the total daily dose (1-5 mg) are extremely low, very little drug diffuses into the systemic circulation, thereby minimizing systemic toxic side effects.

[0055] This design allows the release frequency to automatically adapt to the patient's activity level at different stages of rehabilitation. For example, during the peak postoperative pain period (1-4 weeks), the patient's activity level is low, resulting in fewer releases; during the rehabilitation training period (1-3 months), as activity level increases, the release frequency increases accordingly. This dynamic matching ensures that medication support is always synchronized with the rehabilitation process, effectively controlling activity-related pain and improving patient compliance and the effectiveness of rehabilitation training.

[0056] By incorporating the drug delivery chamber 31 as a built-in functional unit of the intervertebral fusion device 100, there is no need to implant an additional independent drug delivery device in the precious intervertebral space, thus maintaining the compactness of the fusion device structure, not affecting its core advantage of minimally invasive implantation, and at the same time endowing it with active drug therapy capabilities.

[0057] One end of the drug reservoir 31 is connected to a drug outlet tube 32, within which a drug spray channel 34 is formed. The end of the drug outlet tube 32 furthest from the drug reservoir 31 has a drug outlet 35. The drug spray channel 34 and the drug outlet 35 guide the drug in a specific direction, such as the inflamed area of ​​the intervertebral space, ensuring that the drug is concentrated and released at the target site, improving local efficacy and reducing exposure to surrounding non-target tissues.

[0058] By designing the size of the spray channel 34 and the shape of the outlet 35, the flow rate and single release amount of the liquid can be precisely controlled, ensuring that only a preset trace amount is released with each squeeze, thus achieving precise drug delivery "on demand and in trace amounts".

[0059] Independent flow channel design can reduce the risk of blockage caused by drug drying or crystallization during delivery, ensuring the reliability of drug delivery function after long-term implantation.

[0060] Multiple blocking rings 33 are spaced apart along the spray direction inside the drug outlet tube 32. The blocking rings 33 are inclined toward the drug chamber 31, thereby forming a step inside the drug outlet tube 32. The stepped flow channel design can further optimize the flow resistance and prevent tissue ingrowth and blockage.

[0061] A nozzle is provided at the drug outlet 35 to atomize the drug squeezed from the drug chamber 31. By atomizing the drug with a nozzle, the total surface area of ​​the drug is significantly increased, allowing it to cover and penetrate the tissue surface of the target inflamed area more quickly and evenly, thereby accelerating the drug's efficacy and ensuring the uniformity of local therapeutic concentration, achieving better anti-inflammatory effects with less drug. The drug cloud formed by the atomized spray can be precisely confined to the narrow space within the intervertebral intervertebral space, greatly reducing the possibility of the drug flowing or accumulating in the form of droplets, thus avoiding local irritation that may be caused by concentrated drug retention, and further preventing the drug from spreading to non-target tissues, minimizing the risk of systemic side effects. For ultra-low dosages of only a few microliters each time, the atomizing nozzle can effectively overcome the influence of liquid surface tension, ensuring that the micro-volume of liquid can be completely and smoothly sprayed out, avoiding the liquid from sticking to the wall or dripping at the drug outlet 35, and ensuring the accuracy and reliability of each "on-demand" dosage.

[0062] The number of drug reservoirs 31 is multiple; in this embodiment, there are two. By setting up multiple drug reservoirs 31, staged, type-specific, and highly reliable synergistic drug therapy can be achieved. Specifically, the multiple drug reservoirs 31 can each hold different drugs, such as anti-inflammatory drugs and osteogenic promoters, or different concentrations of the same drug. By independently controlling the release sequence and dosage, it is possible to precisely match different postoperative recovery stages, such as early anti-inflammatory analgesia and later bone integration. Simultaneously, this design also constitutes a redundant system; even if a single drug reservoir 31 fails unexpectedly, the remaining drug reservoirs 31 can still ensure basic treatment functions, significantly improving the overall reliability, flexibility, and efficacy of the treatment.

[0063] like Figure 1 , Figure 4 , Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown, the support member 4 is divided into a rearward first support portion 41 and a forward second support portion 42 along the implantation direction. The supporting force of the first support portion 41 is less than that of the second support portion 42. By giving the forward second support portion 42 a greater supporting force, it can be more firmly inserted into the wider anterior region of the intervertebral space like an anchor point after implantation. The rearward first support portion 41 has a smaller supporting force. During spinal extension, the difference in supporting force between the front and rear will generate a torque, causing the rear end of the intervertebral fusion device 100 to tilt slightly upward, thereby effectively resisting the force of its posterior slippage, significantly improving post-implantation stability, reducing the risk of displacement, and making it difficult for the rearward position to dislodge from the minimally invasive surgical channel.

[0064] The support member 4 includes two first support bars 43 and one second support bar 44. The first ends of the two first support bars 43 are fixedly connected to the upper support plate 1. The second ends of the two first support bars 43 are bent and fixedly connected to the upper support plate 1 and the lower support plate 2. The first end of the second support bar 44 is fixedly connected to the lower support plate 2. The second end of the second support bar 44 is fixedly connected to the second ends of the two first support bars 43. The second end of the first support bar 43 forms a second support part 42. The first end of the first support bar 43 and the first end of the second support bar 44 form a first support part 41.

[0065] By converging and fixing the ends of the two first support strips 43 to the ends of the second support strip 44, a more rigid triangular composite node, namely the second support part 42, is formed at the front, while the first support part 41 at the rear is relatively flexible. This structure not only achieves a gradient transition of support force from strong to weak from front to back, effectively utilizing the torque principle to prevent the interbody fusion device 100 from slipping, but also significantly enhances the shear and torsional stability of the overall frame through the cross-fixation of multiple support strips. At the same time, the three-dimensional spatial structure it forms reserves channels for bone ingrowth and drug release, taking into account both mechanical performance and biofusion requirements.

[0066] The intervertebral fusion device 100 also includes a height adjustment component 5, which includes an upper adjustment member 51 connected to the upper support plate 1, a lower adjustment member 52 connected to the lower support plate 2, an adjustment hole 53 disposed between the upper adjustment member 51 and the lower adjustment member 52, and an adjustment screw for inserting into the adjustment hole 53, thereby adjusting the height between the upper adjustment member 51 and the lower adjustment member 52 by inserting the adjustment screw.

[0067] This embodiment provides surgeons with a mechanical means for active and precise intraoperative adjustment. By screwing in adjusting screws to change the distance between the upper adjusting member 51 and the lower adjusting member 52, surgeons can precisely customize the final support height of the fusion cage based on the patient's real-time intervertebral disc anatomy and physiological curvature. This ensures optimal restoration of spinal alignment and optimal fit between the intervertebral fusion cage 100 and the upper and lower endplates, significantly improving implantation fit and initial stability, and compensating for potential individual fit deviations that may exist with a single automatic deployment mechanism. Furthermore, intraoperative height adjustment by the surgeon allows for a reduction in the height of the intervertebral fusion cage 100 during preoperative implantation, thereby reducing the size of the implantation channel.

[0068] The height adjustment assembly 5 also includes a herringbone-shaped connector 54. The upper adjustment member 51 and the lower adjustment member 52 are connected at both ends in the horizontal direction by a first abutment post and a second abutment post. The upper end of the connector 54 is fixedly connected to the upper support plate 1, and the lower end of the connector 54 is fixedly connected to the lower support plate 2. The first abutment post and the second abutment post are located at both ends on the outside of the connector 54.

[0069] More specifically, the first and second supporting posts correspond to the dispensing pipes 32 of the two medicine compartments 31 in this embodiment. The dispensing pipes 32 are used as the first and second supporting posts, thereby saving internal space.

[0070] When the upper adjusting member 51 and the lower adjusting member 52 move along the height direction, the first and second abutting posts on both sides press the connecting member 54 from both sides, which further increases the distance between the first support plate and the second support plate.

[0071] The herringbone connector 54, together with the first and second abutment columns on both sides, forms an extremely stable triangular support frame. This design can efficiently convert the vertical load borne by the upper and lower support plates 2 into pressure within the connector 54 and tension within the abutment columns, thereby significantly enhancing the overall crush resistance and lateral stability of the fusion device and effectively resisting the complex stresses generated by spinal movement.

[0072] The connector 54 includes a first connecting part at the top and two second connecting parts at the bottom, with the two second connecting parts connected to the first connecting part. The first connecting part is the first injection tube 6, and the second connecting parts are the second injection tubes 7. Furthermore, the connector 54 is located near the second support part 42, with its upper end fixedly connected to the second support bar 44 (i.e., indirectly fixedly connected to the upper support plate 1), and its lower end connected to the first support bar 43 (i.e., indirectly fixedly connected to the lower support plate 2). The first support bar 43 has a first through hole connecting the first injection tube 6 and the first flow channel 11, and the second support bar 44 has a second through hole connecting the second injection tube 7 and the second flow channel 21. Using the first injection tube 6 and the second injection tube 7 as connectors 54 saves space. This design perfectly saves the valuable space that would otherwise be reserved inside the intervertebral fusion device for the flow channel and support part 4, making it possible to accommodate multiple functions such as the height adjustment component 5 and the drug release component 3 within the extremely limited intervertebral space. This is key to achieving miniaturization and multifunctionality of the device.

[0073] In this embodiment, the upper end of the upper adjusting member 51 is connected to the second support bar 44, and the bottom end of the lower adjusting member 52 is fixedly connected to the lower support plate 2. The middle portions of the upper adjusting member 51 and the lower adjusting member 52 form an ellipse. Before the adjusting screw is inserted, the major axis of the ellipse extends horizontally, while the minor axis extends vertically. After the adjusting screw is inserted, the shape of the ellipse is changed, so that the major axis extends vertically and the minor axis extends horizontally.

[0074] The height adjustment assembly 5 further includes a connecting post 55 and a limiting post. The connecting post 55 is fixedly connected to the upper adjusting member 51 and the first connecting part. One end of the limiting post is fixedly connected to the lower adjusting member 52, and the other end protrudes between the two second connecting parts.

[0075] The connecting post 55 is used to drive the upper adjusting member 51 and the first connecting part to move upward simultaneously. The limiting post is used to clamp between the two second connecting parts to limit the height of the second connecting parts. When the adjusting screw is inserted, the lower adjusting member 52 moves downward, which drives the limiting post to move downward. At the same time, the first and second abutting posts on both sides clamp the second connecting parts on both sides and move them slightly towards the center, while driving the second support bar 44 and the lower support plate 2 to move downward.

[0076] In this embodiment, by screwing in the adjusting screw, the support height of the interbody fusion device 100 can be actively and linearly changed, allowing doctors to make fine adjustments based on the patient's real-time intervertebral space anatomy, significantly improving the fit of the implant and the precision of the surgery.

[0077] The herringbone connector 54, together with the first and second support columns on both sides, which are also served by the drug delivery tube 32, together form a stable triangular support frame, which can efficiently distribute the vertical load of the spine and greatly enhance the fusion device's resistance to crushing and lateral shearing.

[0078] By using the injection tube as a structural connector 54 and the drug delivery tube 32 as a structural support column, a "one-piece-multiple-use" approach is achieved, which greatly saves valuable space inside the fusion device and makes it possible to integrate multiple complex functions such as height adjustment, drug release, and fluid delivery within the extremely small volume required for minimally invasive implantation.

[0079] The screwing in drives the upper and lower adjusting parts 52 to move. The action is precisely transmitted to the herringbone connector 54 through the connecting post 55 and the limiting post. The supporting posts on both sides will squeeze the connector 54 to produce a slight deformation, thereby efficiently converting the rotational movement of the adjusting screw into a stable and linear increase in the distance between the support plates. The adjustment process is smooth and controllable.

[0080] The interbody fusion device 100 of the present invention significantly reduces the implant volume to achieve minimally invasive implantation by setting an upper support plate 1 and a lower support plate 2 made of memory material, which bend and contract before implantation and expand after implantation triggered by body temperature. The expanded support area enhances adaptability and initial stability. By setting a drug release device 3 containing a drug reservoir 31, micro-volume, targeted drug delivery triggered by activity is achieved, which precisely inhibits local inflammation and significantly reduces systemic side effects.

[0081] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0082] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementations of the present invention, and while the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention patent. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of the present invention, and these all fall within the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of this invention patent should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An interbody fusion device, characterized in that: The interbody fusion device includes an upper support plate, a lower support plate spaced apart from the upper support plate along the height direction and located below the upper support plate, and a drug release device disposed between the upper and lower support plates. The drug release device includes a drug reservoir for storing drugs and a connector. The upper end of the connector is fixedly connected to the upper support plate, and the lower end of the connector is fixedly connected to the lower support plate. The drug reservoir is disposed between the connectors. The drug release device is configured such that when pressure is applied, the connector deforms to compress the drug reservoir, and when the upper and lower support plates are squeezed, the drugs in the drug reservoir are squeezed out.

2. The interbody fusion device according to claim 1, characterized in that: One end of the medicine container is connected to a medicine outlet pipe, a medicine spraying channel is formed inside the medicine outlet pipe, and a medicine outlet is formed at the end of the medicine outlet pipe away from the medicine container.

3. The interbody fusion device according to claim 2, characterized in that: Multiple blocking rings are spaced apart inside the dispensing pipe along the spray direction, and the blocking rings are inclined toward the medicine tank.

4. The interbody fusion device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The medicine outlet is equipped with a nozzle, which is used to spray the medicine squeezed out from the medicine chamber in a mist.

5. The interbody fusion device according to claim 1, characterized in that: There are multiple medicine storage units.

6. The interbody fusion device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The intervertebral fusion device also includes a support member that supports the upper support plate and the lower support plate.

7. The interbody fusion device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The support member is divided into a rearward first support part and a forward second support part along the implantation direction, and the supporting force of the first support part is less than that of the second support part.

8. The interbody fusion device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The support member includes two first support bars and one second support bar. The first ends of the two first support bars are fixedly connected to the upper support plate, and the second ends of the two first support bars are bent and fixedly connected to the upper support plate and the lower support plate. The first end of the second support bar is fixedly connected to the lower support plate, and the second end of the second support bar is fixedly connected to the second ends of the two first support bars. The second end of the first support bar forms a second support portion, and the first end of the first support bar and the first end of the second support bar form a first support portion.

9. The interbody fusion device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The intervertebral fusion device also includes a height adjustment assembly, which includes an upper adjustment member connected to the upper support plate, a lower adjustment member connected to the lower support plate, an adjustment hole disposed between the upper adjustment member and the lower adjustment member, and an adjustment screw for inserting into the adjustment hole, thereby adjusting the height between the upper adjustment member and the lower adjustment member by inserting the adjustment screw.

10. The interbody fusion device according to claim 9, characterized in that: The height adjustment assembly also includes a herringbone-shaped connector. The upper adjustment member and the lower adjustment member are connected at both ends in the horizontal direction by a first abutment post and a second abutment post. The upper end of the connector is fixedly connected to the upper support plate, and the lower end of the connector is fixedly connected to the lower support plate. The first abutment post and the second abutment post are disposed at both ends on the outer side of the connector.

11. The interbody fusion device according to claim 10, characterized in that: The connector includes an upper first connecting part and two lower second connecting parts, the two second connecting parts being connected to the first connecting part. The height adjustment assembly also includes a connecting post and a limiting post. The connecting post is fixedly connected to the upper adjusting part and the first connecting part. One end of the limiting post is fixedly connected to the lower adjusting part, and the other end protrudes between the two second connecting parts.

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