Arched Bone Contacting Elements for Spinal Implant Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing implants for spinal fusion and bone stabilization lack optimal designs that balance stability, space for bone ingrowth, and ease of insertion, leading to suboptimal bone fusion and implant integration.

Innovation Solution

The development of an implant with a body comprising a peripheral structure and support beams, featuring arched bone contacting elements oriented at different angles, which provide stability while allowing for bone ingrowth and facilitating insertion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If traditional straight bone contacting elements are used, then the implant provides basic structural support, but the implant lacks optimal stability and bone ingrowth capability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplant stabilityVSAvoidbone ingrowth capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies curved arches instead of straight elements to better conform to the natural curvature of bone surfaces. The arched bone contacting elements are designed with specific radii of curvature to match anatomical contours, improving both stability through better surface contact and adaptability by following the bone's natural geometry, thereby resolving the contradiction between structural support and bone ingrowth capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Strength

If the implant body is made robust for stability, then the implant provides strong structural support, but the implant becomes difficult to insert

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural supportVSAvoidease of insertion

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The implant is divided into distinct components: a body portion and separate arched bone contacting elements. This segmentation allows the body to be designed for ease of insertion while the arches provide the necessary structural support and stability once positioned, resolving the contradiction between insertability and structural strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The arched bone contacting elements are designed to be flexible yet structurally sound, allowing them to adapt dynamically to the bone surface during insertion and then provide rigid support once in place. The arches can flex during the insertion process to navigate tight spaces while maintaining their load-bearing capacity for stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple bone contacting elements are added to improve bone ingrowth, then the space for bone ingrowth increases, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebone ingrowth spaceVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The arched bone contacting elements serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide structural support through their arch geometry, create space for bone ingrowth through their curved configuration, and facilitate bone integration through their surface characteristics. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby increasing bone ingrowth space while limiting device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3531942B1Implant with curved bone contacting elements

Publication Date: 2025.03.05 INSTITUTE FOR MUSCULOSKELETAL SCIENCE & EDUCATION LTD

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AI summary

An implant that includes a body and a plurality of arched bone contacting elements is disclosed. The body includes a peripheral structure and three support beams extending in a central region of the peripheral structure. Arched bone contacting elements extend between adjacent beams and between beams and the peripheral structure. The arched bone contacting elements include flared legs. The arched bone contacting elements may be arranged in V-like configurations on the superior and inferior sides.