Adjustable Spine Distraction Implant Dynamics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical methods for addressing spinal stenosis often require invasive procedures and cannot effectively accommodate varying sizes and configurations of spinous processes, leading to inadequate distraction and potential tissue damage.
Innovation Solution
A minimally invasive adjustable implant system that includes expandable wedging members and a control mechanism to distract spinous processes, allowing for customizable distraction and accommodation of different spinous process sizes, thereby increasing the spinal canal volume and relieving pressure on nerves and blood vessels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional surgical methods are used to address spinal stenosis, then the procedure can be performed, but the procedure is highly invasive and cannot accommodate varying sizes and configurations of spinous processes
Solution Approach 1:
The implant includes expandable wedging members that can be adjusted from a compressed insertion state to an expanded distraction state. This dynamic expansion allows the implant to accommodate varying spinous process sizes while providing customizable distraction, reducing the need for highly invasive procedures and accommodating different anatomical configurations without causing tissue damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The control mechanism enables changing the physical parameters of the wedging members by expanding or compressing them. This parameter change allows the implant to adapt to different spinous process dimensions and provide precise distraction levels, eliminating the need for invasive surgery while maintaining versatility across various anatomical types.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed-size distraction implants are used, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate varying sizes and configurations of spinous processes
Solution Approach 1:
The implant transitions from a static fixed-size design to a dynamic adjustable structure with expandable wedging members. This dynamic capability allows a single implant design to accommodate various spinous process configurations by expanding or compressing the wedging members, providing adaptability without requiring multiple fixed-size implant types.
Solution Approach 2:
The control mechanism enables a single implant design to serve multiple functions by adjusting the expansion level of the wedging members. This multi-functionality allows the same implant to accommodate different spinous process sizes and configurations, reducing the need for multiple specialized implants and maintaining structural simplicity while enhancing versatility.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If minimally invasive procedures are used, then tissue damage is reduced, but achieving adequate distraction and maintaining stability is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The expandable wedging members provide dynamic adjustment capability that allows minimally invasive insertion followed by in-situ expansion to achieve the required distraction level. This dynamic expansion ensures adequate distraction is achieved while maintaining stability, avoiding the need for more invasive procedures while ensuring reliable distraction results.
Solution Approach 2:
The control mechanism allows the implant to self-adjust and maintain the desired distraction level without requiring continuous external intervention. The expandable wedging members can be adjusted to the required position and maintained there, providing reliable distraction stability while keeping the procedure minimally invasive and reducing tissue damage.
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable implant includes a body portion including a first end, a second end including a bull nose, and a sidewall extending from the first end to the second end, a hook coupled to the body portion, the hook including a first hook portion extending from the body portion in a first direction, and a second hook portion extending from the first hook portion in a second direction that is different from the first direction, a first wing coupled to the first end of the body portion, and a second wing coupled to the body portion such that the distance between the first wing and the second wing is adjustable by a user, wherein the first and second wings include inward facing surfaces configured to be positioned adjacent portions of bone of a patient.