Articulating Expandable Intervertebral Spacer for Minimally Invasive Spinal Fusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
The stability of the vertebral column is compromised due to factors like aging, mechanical injury, and disease, which can lead to dehydration and de-lamination of intervertebral discs, requiring additional support to maintain spinal integrity.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable intervertebral spacer with a frame, endplates, and an actuating screw mechanism that allows for expansion between adjacent vertebrae, enabling minimally invasive insertion and adjustment to provide therapeutic height and support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a traditional intervertebral spacer is used, then spinal stability is provided, but the insertion requires large incisions causing significant tissue damage and blood loss
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer is divided into multiple segments or components that can be inserted separately through smaller incisions and then assembled or expanded within the intervertebral space, reducing the size of the initial incision and associated tissue damage
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer components are designed to be nested within each other during insertion, with smaller components fitting inside larger ones, allowing the entire assembly to pass through a small incision before being deployed to full size within the vertebral space
2Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed-height spacer is used, then insertion is simpler, but it cannot restore optimal disc height for different patients and conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer incorporates adjustable height mechanisms that allow it to be dynamically modified after insertion, enabling the medical professional to adjust the spacer height to restore optimal disc spacing for different patients and degenerative conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer design allows for change in key parameters such as height and expansion volume after insertion, enabling adaptation to different anatomical requirements and degenerative disc conditions without requiring multiple fixed-size implants
3Stability of the object's composition
If a non-articulating spacer is used, then the structure is simpler, but it cannot accommodate spinal movement and may compromise spinal flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer incorporates articulating joints or movable connections between its components, allowing it to dynamically adapt to spinal movements while maintaining stability, rather than being a rigid fixed structure
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer utilizes flexible connecting elements or articulating joints between components that allow controlled movement and rotation, accommodating natural spinal flexibility while maintaining structural integrity and stability
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The spacer provides stable support and can be adjusted to restore disc height, facilitating fusion of vertebrae and reducing the need for large incisions, minimizing tissue damage and blood loss during surgery.
Implementation Method 1
at least one ramped surface of the first ramped surface slides along the at least one ramped surface of the frame to cause at least one end of the first endplate to move in a direction away from the frame
Implementation Method 2
The actuating screw may be rotated rotating the actuating screw to cause the link to move and thereby displace the first and second endplate
Data Source
AI summary
A spacer for separating bones of a joint, the spacer includes a frame having a longitudinal axis, and ramped surfaces. An endplate configured to engage a bone of the joint has ramped surfaces mateable with the ramped surfaces of the frame. When the endplate is moved relative to the frame in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the frame, the endplate is moved in a direction away from the frame to increase the height at least one end of the spacer. A second endplate configured to engage a second bone of the joint can be similarly configured.