Adjustable Intervertebral Implant Wedge Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intervertebral implants require open surgical procedures, leading to higher costs, longer hospital stays, and patient pain, and lack adjustability and ease of deployment in minimally invasive settings.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable spinal fusion intervertebral implant with upper and lower body portions, proximal and distal wedge members, and an actuator shaft that allows for expansion and contraction, enabling minimally invasive implantation and adjustability through a screw mechanism that separates the body portions for precise spacing between vertebrae.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If open surgical procedures are used for implantation, then the implant can be securely installed, but the patient experiences higher costs, longer hospital stays, and more pain
Solution Approach 1:
The implant is divided into separable body portions (first body portion and second body portion) that can be independently manipulated during insertion. This segmentation allows the implant to be compressed into a compact form for minimally invasive delivery and then expanded within the vertebral body, eliminating the need for open surgery while maintaining secure installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant body portions are nested within each other in a compressed state, with the first body portion positioned within the second body portion. This nested configuration enables the implant to pass through narrow spaces during minimally invasive insertion and then be deployed to the full expanded state within the vertebral body, reducing patient trauma while ensuring secure placement.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the implant is made adjustable in height, then it can be tailored to match natural spacing between vertebrae, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The implant incorporates dynamic adjustability through an actuation mechanism that allows the height of the implant body portions to be modified intraoperatively. The actuator enables the surgeon to adjust the spacing between vertebral bodies to match the patient's natural anatomy, providing adaptability while managing complexity through a controlled mechanical system.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant allows for parameter changes in height through the actuation mechanism, enabling the surgeon to modify the vertical dimension of the implant to match the patient's specific anatomical requirements. This parameter adjustability is achieved through a mechanical system that controls the spacing between body portions without requiring multiple custom implants.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the implant uses a minimally invasive approach, then patient trauma is reduced, but the ease of deployment in narrow spaces becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The implant is segmented into separable body portions that can be independently manipulated during insertion. This segmentation allows the implant to be compressed into a compact form for minimally invasive delivery through narrow spaces and then expanded within the vertebral body, reducing patient trauma while maintaining ease of deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant body portions are nested within each other in a compressed state, creating a compact configuration that can be easily inserted through narrow spaces during minimally invasive surgery. Once positioned, the nested structure can be deployed to the full expanded state within the vertebral body, reducing patient trauma while maintaining operational ease.
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
Enables minimally invasive implantation, reduces trauma to the patient, enhances recovery, and allows for precise adjustment and deployment in narrow spaces, addressing the limitations of existing implants by providing a stable and adjustable solution for spinal fusion.
Implementation Method 1
Rotation of the actuator shaft can cause the distal and proximal wedge members to be drawn together such that longitudinal movement of the distal wedge member against the distal surfaces and the longitudinal movement of the proximal wedge member against the proximal surfaces causes separation of the upper and lower body portions
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable spinal fusion intervertebral implant including upper and lower body portions each having proximal and distal surfaces at proximal and distal ends thereof. The implant can include a proximal wedge member disposed at the proximal ends of the respective ones of the upper and lower body portions, and a distal wedge member disposed at the distal ends of the respective ones of the upper and lower body portions. First and second linkages can connect the upper and lower body portions. Rotation of an actuator shaft can cause the distal and proximal wedge members to be drawn together such that longitudinal movement of the distal wedge member against the distal surfaces and the longitudinal movement of the proximal wedge member against the proximal surfaces causes separation of the upper and lower body portions.