Biased Coiling Spinal Prosthesis for Minimally Invasive Fusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for minimally invasive spinal fusion implants that can be implanted between vertebrae without requiring invasive surgery, as existing methods often necessitate large incisions and complex procedures.
Innovation Solution
An implantable prosthesis featuring a biased coiling member that transitions from a substantially linear to a nonlinear configuration, engaging and curving a conforming coiling member, allowing for relative movement along a longitudinal axis, and utilizing fastener assemblies to secure and adjust the prosthesis, facilitating insertion through small incisions and providing structural support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional spinal fusion implants are used, then structural support and spinal fusion are achieved, but invasive surgery with large incisions is required
Solution Approach 1:
The implant is divided into two separate coiling members: a biased coiling member that provides structural support and a conforming coiling member that conforms to the implant site. This segmentation allows the biased member to be pre-formed for strength while the conforming member adapts to the specific anatomical geometry, enabling minimally invasive insertion through small incisions while maintaining structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The conforming coiling member is designed to be dynamic and adaptable, changing its configuration from a compressed linear state during insertion to an expanded conformal state at the implant site. This dynamic transformation allows the implant to be inserted through small incisions in a compact form and then expand to provide full structural support and conform to the vertebral anatomy
2Object-affected harmful factors
If minimally invasive implantation is used, then incision size is reduced, but implantation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The biased coiling member is pre-formed with the desired structural configuration and bias force before implantation. This preliminary preparation ensures that the structural support properties are established in advance, simplifying the implantation process as the member only needs to be inserted and will automatically assume its functional configuration without requiring complex intraoperative manipulation
Solution Approach 2:
The biased coiling member is designed to automatically exert its bias force and assume its configured shape upon insertion, without requiring external actuation or complex manipulation during surgery. The member self-regulates its expansion and positioning through its inherent elastic properties, reducing the complexity of the implantation procedure while maintaining minimally invasive access
3Device complexity
If a single coiling member is used, then device complexity is reduced, but ability to provide both structural support and conformality is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Each coiling member is assigned a specific functional quality: the biased coiling member provides structural support through its pre-formed configuration and elastic bias force, while the conforming coiling member provides adaptability and conformality to the specific implant site geometry. This division of local qualities allows each component to be optimized for its specific function rather than requiring a single component to perform all functions
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
Enables minimally invasive implantation with reduced incision sizes, allowing for effective spinal fusion while minimizing tissue disruption and promoting bone growth, thus offering a less invasive and more efficient surgical approach.
Implementation Method 1
a biased coiling member biased to curve from a substantially linear configuration to a nonlinear configuration
Data Source
AI summary
An implantable prosthesis that includes a biased coiling member and a conforming coiling member. The biased coiling member may be biased to curve from a substantially linear configuration to a nonlinear configuration. The conforming coiling member may be engaged with and curved by the biased coiling member from the substantially linear configuration to the nonlinear configuration. The biased coiling member may define a longitudinal axis when in the substantially linear configuration. The biased coiling member and the conforming coiling member may move relative to each other along the longitudinal axis. The prosthesis may be implanted in a surgical procedure that minimizes incision sizes and may be considered less invasive than typical implant procedures, especially spinal implant procedures.