Minimally Invasive Bone Fixation Anchor and Compression Implant
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical methods for addressing degenerative changes in the spine, such as spondylolisthesis and facet joint issues, often require invasive open techniques that involve significant tissue disruption, risk of infection, and the need for hospitalization, with lumbar fusion procedures necessitating the removal of intervertebral discs.
Innovation Solution
The development of bone fixation/fusion systems that use minimally invasive methods to stabilize adjacent bone segments through the use of anchor bodies and elongated implant structures with bony in-growth regions, allowing for compression and fusion of bone segments without the need for extensive incisions or disc removal, utilizing techniques like the compression stem assembly and implant structures with bony in-growth surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If invasive open surgical techniques are used to address degenerative spine changes, then bone fixation and fusion can be achieved, but tissue disruption and risk of infection increase
Solution Approach 1:
The implant system is divided into multiple segments including an anchor body with distal and proximal anchors, an elongated implant structure, and a compression stem assembly. These segmented components can be inserted through separate minimally invasive pathways and assembled at the target site to achieve stable bone fixation without requiring large open incisions
Solution Approach 2:
The elongated implant structure serves as an intermediary element that bridges the distal and proximal anchors, providing a compression mechanism and serving as a scaffold for bone growth. This intermediary structure enables fixation while minimizing direct tissue disruption during insertion
2Stability of the object's composition
If traditional lumbar fusion procedures are performed, then spinal stability is improved, but the need for disc removal and extensive incisions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the essential fixation function from the complex traditional lumbar fusion procedure by using an anchor-based system that can be inserted through minimally invasive pathways. The elongated implant structure and compression mechanism provide the necessary stability without requiring removal of intervertebral discs or extensive soft tissue dissection
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of removing the disc and performing extensive open surgery to achieve fusion, the invention inverts the approach by inserting anchor bodies and compression mechanisms through minimally invasive pathways from the outside, assembling the fixation system at the target site without disrupting the natural anatomical structures
3Object-affected harmful factors
If minimally invasive methods are used to stabilize bone segments, then tissue disruption is reduced, but the need for specialized implant structures increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elongated implant structure is designed to be inserted over the anchor body, with the compression stem assembly fitting within the implant structure. This nested configuration allows multiple functional components to be delivered through a single minimally invasive insertion pathway, reducing tissue disruption while managing the complexity through hierarchical organization
4Reliability
If compression and fusion of bone segments is achieved through implant structures, then bony integration is promoted, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple functions into integrated components: the elongated implant structure combines the compression mechanism, bone growth scaffold, and structural support in a single element. The compression stem assembly integrates the compression function with the anchor body, creating a unified system that promotes bony integration while managing complexity through functional integration
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 the stabilization and fusion of bone segments in a minimally invasive manner, reducing recovery time, minimizing tissue disruption, and eliminating the need for autologous bone grafts, while providing immediate stability and promoting bony integration for long-term fusion.
Implementation Method 1
The elongated implant structure includes an exterior surface region treated to provide bony in-growth or through-growth along the implant structure, to accelerate the fixation or fusion of the first and second bone segments held in compression and fixated by the anchor body
Implementation Method 2
places the anchor body in compression to compress and fixate the bone segments relative to the fracture line or joint
Data Source
AI summary
Assemblies of one or more implant structures make possible the achievement of diverse interventions involving the fusion and/or stabilization of the SI-joint and/or lumbar and sacral vertebra in a non-invasive manner, with minimal incision, and without the necessitating the removing the intervertebral disc. The representative lumbar spine interventions, which can be performed on adults or children, include, but are not limited to, SI-joint fusion or fixation; lumbar interbody fusion; translaminar lumbar fusion; lumbar facet fusion; trans-iliac lumbar fusion; and the stabilization of a spondylolisthesis.