Expandable Implant With Pivoting Control for Adjustable Lordosis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing expandable implants lack the ability to adjust the amount of lordosis and expand in a manner that mimics the natural curvature of the human spine, limiting their effectiveness in spinal applications.
Innovation Solution
An expandable implant with a pivotally coupled upper and lower support, featuring a control assembly that includes a control shaft and member, allowing for adjustable expansion and contraction by manipulating the control shaft, which pivots the upper support relative to the lower support, mimicking the natural spinal curvature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the implant uses a fixed structure without pivotal coupling, then the structure is simpler and more stable, but it cannot adjust lordosis or mimic natural spinal curvature
Solution Approach 1:
The implant transitions from a fixed structure to a dynamic structure with pivotal coupling between upper and lower supports. The control assembly includes a control shaft that rotates to pivot the upper support relative to the lower support, enabling adjustable lordosis and dynamic adaptation to spinal curvature requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the implant uses a control assembly with pivoting mechanism, then it can mimic natural spinal curvature, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: a control shaft for rotation, a control member with base member and pivot member, and pivotal coupling mechanisms. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while contributing to the overall ability to mimic natural spinal curvature through coordinated movement.
Data Source
AI summary
An expandable implant includes a lower support; an upper support pivotally coupled to the lower support and including a control channel; and a control assembly. The control assembly includes a control shaft coupled to the lower support and a control member coupled to the control shaft and configured to move along the control shaft. The control member includes a base member and a pivot member pivotally coupled to the base member, the pivot member configured to move within the control channel. Movement of the control member along the control shaft causes the pivot member to pivot relative to the base member, and the upper support to pivot relative to the lower support.