Bone Fusion Device With Extendable Tabs for Secure Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bone fusion technologies require invasive surgical procedures and struggle to retain bone graft material in place, leading to prolonged recovery times and instability.

Innovation Solution

A bone fusion system featuring extendable plates with central ribs and a coupling mechanism, allowing for minimally invasive insertion and secure positioning using an insertion instrument, with extendable tabs that provide stability and support against torsional forces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional fusion cages are used, then bone fusion can be achieved, but the surgical procedure is invasive and recovery time is prolonged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebone fusion reliabilityVSAvoidrecovery time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The fusion device is divided into multiple segments including a first tab, second tab, and central body portion, allowing minimally invasive insertion through separate anatomical paths while maintaining structural integrity for reliable bone fusion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The central body portion acts as an intermediary element that connects the first and second tabs, enabling the device to be inserted through minimally invasive procedures while providing stable bone-to-bone contact and reliable fusion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If fusion cages are inserted to maintain vertebral separation, then structural stability is provided, but bone graft material is difficult to retain in place

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidbone graft retention

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device incorporates a porous coating specifically on the central body portion that contacts bone graft material, providing localized retention properties while maintaining overall structural stability through the tab-bone contact mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The device combines a metallic or ceramic structural framework with a porous coating material, creating a composite structure that provides both mechanical strength for stability and surface properties for bone graft retention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If extendable tabs are used to provide stability against torsional forces, then device security is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice securityVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tabs and central body portion are merged into a single integrated device structure, eliminating the need for separate components and complex assembly mechanisms while providing stable bone-to-bone contact and resistance to torsional forces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20250331998A1Bone fusion surgical system and method

Publication Date: 2025.10.30 NEUROPRO TECHNOLOGIES INC

AI summary

A bone fusion method, system and device for insertion between bones that are to be fused together and/or in place of one or more of the bones, such as, for example, the vertebrae of a spinal column. The bone fusion device comprises one or more extendable tabs having a central rib. The bone fusion device includes one or more support channels configured to receive an insertion instrument that is then secured to the bone fusion device via a coupling mechanism. As a result, the coupled device is able to be securely positioned between vertebrae using the insertion instrument with minimal risk of slippage.