Expandable Vertebral Implant With Cement-Free Pedicle Anchoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vertebral augmentation devices face limitations in anchoring to the vertebral pedicle due to their cylindrical profile, which underutilizes the oval or elliptical shape of the pedicle, and often require bone cement for stabilization, leading to complications.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising an expandable implant with a tissue support ski and a pedicle anchor that deploys within the vertebral body, utilizing anchoring elements to engage the pedicle without bone cement, allowing for a larger implant size and reducing pressure on the endplates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If an external thread pedicle anchor with cylindrical profile is used, then the implant can be anchored to the vertebral pedicle, but the cylindrical profile underutilizes the oval or elliptical shape of the pedicle and constrains the maximum permissible implant size
Solution Approach 1:
The pedicle anchor is designed with an asymmetric geometry that conforms to the natural oval or elliptical shape of the vertebral pedicle. The outer profile of the anchor body is specifically contoured to match the pedicle's cross-sectional geometry, allowing optimal utilization of the available pedicle space and enabling larger implant sizes without compromising anchoring effectiveness.
2Reliability
If bone cement is used for stabilization, then the implant can be secured in the vertebral body, but surgical complications increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the bone cement component from the stabilization system. Instead of relying on cement for anchoring and stabilization, the design uses a mechanical pedicle anchor with an asymmetric profile that directly engages the pedicle bone, providing reliable implant stabilization without the complications associated with bone cement usage.
3Ease of operation
If the implant is deployed through a working cannula with limited inner diameter, then the implant can be inserted percutaneously, but the arcuate surfaces create high pressure on the vertebral endplates during expansion
Solution Approach 1:
The implant utilizes arcuate surfaces configured to expand in a controlled manner. The curved geometry of the expansion surfaces is designed to distribute expansion forces more evenly, reducing peak pressures on the vertebral endplates while maintaining the ability to be deployed through a working cannula with limited inner diameter.
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 device provides effective vertebral body augmentation with reduced surgical complications by utilizing the full anatomical shape of the pedicle and minimizing pressure on the endplates, enabling larger load-bearing surfaces and promoting bony ingrowth.
Implementation Method 1
The implant is configured to expand to elevate or restore the height of the vertebral body
Implementation Method 2
The anchoring elements are configured to be deployed outwardly beyond the anchor body to engage the vertebral pedicle
Data Source
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Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A device for augmenting a vertebra. The device includes an expandable implant and a pedicle anchor. The pedicle anchor includes at least one anchoring element movably coupled to an anchor body. An actuator is movable within the anchor body to deploy the anchoring element into engagement with a vertebral pedicle. The anchoring element may be deployed in a same plane as a tissue support ski of the expandable implant. The actuator may be a rod including a knuckle or a cam. The tissue support ski may be recessed from an outer profile of the device. Struts of the expandable implant may be angled towards the tissue support ski in an insertion configuration. The device may be oval-shaped and provide means for rotating the expandable implant relative to the pedicle anchor, and for blocking the expandable implant in a predetermined orientation. Methods of deploying the device are also disclosed.