Artificial Disc Segmented Design for Minimally Invasive Spinal Fusion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for spinal fusion, such as intervertebral implants and posterior fixation devices, often require open surgical procedures, leading to higher costs, longer hospital stays, and patient discomfort, and involve additional movement of the patient, necessitating an improved apparatus and method for introducing intervertebral implants minimally invasively.

Innovation Solution

An intervertebral implant with a first and second body portion, each comprising a member and joint portion, allowing pivotable movement around a shaft, with a deployment tool to transition from a closed to an open configuration for minimally invasive insertion through a posterolateral approach, such as Kambin's triangle, to maintain vertebral spacing and allow some motion between vertebrae.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If open surgical procedures are used for spinal fusion, then vertebral stability can be achieved, but patient trauma increases and recovery time lengthens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevertebral stabilityVSAvoidpatient trauma

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The implant is divided into multiple body portions (first body portion with first and second members, second body portion with first and second members) connected by joint portions. This segmentation allows the implant to be inserted through a smaller access site while maintaining the ability to provide vertebral stability through the articulated structure that can be deployed within the intervertebral space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If traditional intervertebral implants are used, then vertebral spacing can be maintained, but surgical complexity and patient discomfort increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevertebral spacingVSAvoidsurgical complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The implant incorporates joint portions that allow pivotable movement between body portions, enabling the implant to transition from a compact insertion configuration to an expanded functional configuration. This dynamic capability allows the implant to be inserted through a smaller access site while maintaining vertebral spacing and providing motion between vertebrae.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If posterior fixation devices are added, then spinal stability is enhanced, but the number of surgical procedures increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespinal stabilityVSAvoidnumber of devices

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The implant integrates multiple functions into a single device structure, combining the intervertebral spacer function with motion-capturing joint portions. This merged design eliminates the need for separate posterior fixation devices by providing stability and motion control within the interbody implant itself, reducing the overall number of devices and procedures required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS9883951B2Artificial disc

Publication Date: 2018.02.06 INTERVENTIONAL SPINE INC

AI summary

Intervertebral implants and methods of delivering the intervertebral implants include delivering an implant through the Kambin's triangle from a posterolateral approach. The intervertebral implants can include a first body portion having an open configuration and a closed configuration. The intervertebral implants can also include a second body portion having an open configuration and a closed configuration. The first body portion removably connects to the second body portion.