Articulating Intervertebral Spacer With Actuating Screw Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
The spinal column often requires additional support due to weaknesses caused by degenerative diseases, tumors, fractures, and dislocations, and existing solutions fail to provide effective stabilization, especially in maintaining the integrity of intervertebral discs which deteriorate with age or due to injury.
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 stability, facilitating fusion and distraction of bones.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional intervertebral spacer is used, then bone fusion can be promoted, but the device cannot be adjusted after insertion and does not allow for minimally invasive insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer is divided into multiple segments including endplates, a body, and an actuating mechanism. This segmentation allows the device to be inserted in a collapsed state through minimally invasive approaches and then expanded to the desired height after placement, resolving the contradiction between ease of insertion and device functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer transitions from a static pre-formed device to a dynamic adjustable structure. The actuating mechanism enables height adjustment after insertion, allowing the device to adapt to the specific anatomical requirements of each patient while maintaining the benefits of minimally invasive insertion.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed height spacer is used, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot be adjusted to maintain proper disc height and spinal alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer incorporates a dynamic actuating mechanism that allows height adjustment after insertion. This enables the device to adapt to varying anatomical requirements and maintain proper disc height and spinal alignment, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer's height parameter can be changed after insertion through the actuating mechanism. This allows the device to be optimized for each patient's specific needs regarding disc height restoration and spinal alignment while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
3Reliability
If a large incision is made for spacer insertion, then the spacer can be properly positioned, but tissue damage increases and recovery time extends
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer is designed to be inserted in a collapsed or compressed state through small incisions, then expanded to its functional size after placement. This segmentation approach allows proper positioning and expansion to therapeutic height while minimizing tissue damage and avoiding the need for large incisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer body is nested within a delivery system that allows it to be inserted through a small incision in a compressed state. After placement, the spacer is expanded to its full height, achieving proper positioning and therapeutic effect while minimizing tissue trauma and recovery time.
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 effectively stabilizes adjacent vertebrae, allows for adjustable height, and promotes bone fusion, reducing the need for large incisions and minimizing tissue damage, while providing a stable support platform for the spine.
Implementation Method 1
The first endplate may have at least one ramped surface mateable with the at least one ramped surface of the frame, whereby when the first endplate is moved relative to the frame in a direction along the frame longitudinal axis, at least one end of the first endplate is moved in a direction away from the frame to open the spacer.
Implementation Method 2
The spacer may further comprise an actuating screw moveable with respect to the frame and connected to the link to cause movement of the link when the actuating screw is moved with respect to the frame.
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.