Adjustable Spinal Implant Segmentation Dynamics
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current intervertebral implants face challenges in accommodating varying disc space shapes and heights, leading to issues such as excessive retraction of anatomy, suboptimal sizing, and potential damage to neural elements during insertion, due to their fixed sizes and shapes.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable spinal implant with a fixed segment, locking segment, lower segment, and upper segment, along with a locking mechanism that allows the implant to be inserted in a collapsed configuration and expanded to fit anatomical spaces, providing stability and facilitating bony union between vertebral elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed-size intervertebral implant is used, then the implant structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate varying disc space shapes and heights, leading to suboptimal sizing and potential damage to neural elements
Solution Approach 1:
The implant is divided into multiple segments (fixed segment, locking segment, lower segment, upper segment) that can move relative to each other. The locking segment can translate within the channel of the fixed segment, and the lower and upper segments can pivot relative to the fixed segment, allowing the implant to adapt to different disc space configurations while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant transitions from a static fixed-size structure to a dynamic adjustable structure. The locking mechanism allows the locking segment to translate between locked and unlocked positions, and the pivotable segments can rotate about transverse pivot axes, enabling the implant to dynamically adapt to varying disc space heights and shapes.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a large implant diameter is used to accommodate expanded disc spaces, then adequate stability is achieved, but excessive traction on neural elements is required during posterior insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The implant is inserted in a collapsed configuration with reduced height and diameter, allowing it to pass through the disc space without requiring excessive traction on neural elements. After insertion, the locking mechanism is activated to expand the implant to its full size, achieving adequate stability without subjecting neural elements to harmful forces during the insertion process.
Solution Approach 2:
The lower and upper segments are nested within the fixed segment in a collapsed configuration during insertion. After placement, these segments are expanded outward to achieve the full implant diameter and height, allowing the implant to achieve adequate stability while minimizing disruption to surrounding anatomy during insertion.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the implant is inserted in an expanded configuration to provide adequate stability, then spinal stability is achieved, but excessive retraction of blood vessels and neural elements is required during anterior and posterior approaches
Solution Approach 1:
The implant is prepared in a collapsed configuration before insertion, which reduces its cross-sectional dimensions and allows it to be placed into the disc space without requiring excessive retraction of blood vessels or neural elements. Once positioned, the implant is expanded to its full size to provide adequate stability, thereby separating the insertion phase from the stabilization phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant transitions dynamically from a collapsed insertion configuration to an expanded stabilization configuration. The locking mechanism enables this transformation after the implant is properly positioned, allowing surgeons to achieve both ease of insertion and adequate stability without compromising either requirement.
4Strength
If bone graft alone is used for interbody fusion, then biologic components for osseous union are provided, but the structure lacks strength to resist tremendous forces and stabilize the spine until long term bony union occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The implant provides immediate structural strength to resist tremendous forces in the intervertebral disc space, while also creating a stable environment that fosters growth of grafted bone. The combination of the implant's mechanical support and the bone graft's biologic properties creates a composite system that eliminates the weaknesses of using bone graft alone, preventing migration, expulsion, or nonunion.
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable spinal implant includes a fixed segment that slidably supports a locking segment and pivotally supports an upper segment and a lower segment relative to one another. The locking segment translates within a channel defined by the fixed segment between locked and unlocked positions. In the locked position, the upper and lower segments are fixed relative to one another and to the fixed segment. In the unlocked position, the upper and lower segments are pivotal relative to one another and to the fixed segment. The adjustable spinal implant includes a locking mechanism including a locking screw to translate the locking segment between locked and unlocked positions.