Adjustable Spinal Fusion Device with Movable Plates
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spinal fusion devices are unadjustable in size, leading to inadequate support and maintenance of vertebral body position during spinal fusion procedures, as the optimal intervertebral space size can only be determined during surgery.
Innovation Solution
A spinal intervertebral body fusion device with an adjustable design, featuring a movable spacer and pushing pieces that allow for size adjustment through an operative piece, enabling the device to be expanded or contracted to fit the specific disc space, utilizing 3D printing technology for biocompatibility and rigidity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional unadjustable spinal fusion devices are used, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the device cannot provide sufficient support and fail to maintain the position of the vertebral body due to size mismatch
Solution Approach 1:
The spinal fusion device incorporates a movable supporting plate portion that can change position relative to the fixed supporting plate portion, transforming the device from a static unadjustable structure to a dynamic adjustable structure. This allows the device to adapt to different intervertebral space sizes and provide reliable support, resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity by introducing controlled mobility rather than full adjustability.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is divided into distinct segments: a fixed supporting plate portion and a movable supporting plate portion that can independently move. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function - the fixed portion provides stable anchoring while the movable portion adjusts to fit the intervertebral space, thereby improving support capability without requiring complete redesign of the entire device structure.
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional unadjustable cages are used, then the implantation procedure is simple, but the optimal size cannot be determined and the device fails to restore and maintain the height of the intervertebral space
Solution Approach 1:
The movable supporting plate portion is pre-configured within the device structure but remains in a locked or restricted position during storage and implantation. During the surgical procedure, the surgeon can activate the movement mechanism to adjust the device size to match the measured intervertebral space dimensions. This preliminary configuration combined with intraoperative adjustment maintains ease of initial implantation while achieving precise size matching.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the supporting plate portions are made movable to enable size adjustment, then the device can restore and maintain optimal intervertebral space height, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The device implements a controlled dynamic system where the movable supporting plate portion can change position along the longitudinal axis to adapt to different intervertebral space heights. This dynamic capability is achieved through a simplified mechanism involving movable connections rather than complex multi-axis adjustment systems, thereby achieving adaptability with minimal increase in structural complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a spinal intervertebral body fusion device (1a) including an adjustable spacer (10a), a first and second pushing pieces (20a), (30a), and an operative piece (40a). The adjustable spacer includes a first and second supporting plate portions (111a), (121a). The first supporting plate portion is installed on the second supporting plate portion. The first and second supporting plate portions form a first and second opening. The first pushing piece located at the first opening and is partially clamped by the first and second supporting plate portions. The second pushing piece located at the second opening is partially clamped by the first and second supporting plate portions. The operative piece is movably disposed through the second pushing piece and screwed to the first pushing piece. The operative piece has an annular slot (412), and the second pushing piece is partially located in the annular slot.