Diagonal-Axis Spinal Fusion Implant with Internal Support Beams
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spinal fusion implants lack optimal designs that provide both structural stability and facilitate bone ingrowth, leading to potential deformation and inadequate integration with vertebral bodies.
Innovation Solution
The implant design features a peripheral structure with arched bone contacting elements and support beams, providing a framework for stable integration between vertebrae while promoting bone ingrowth through a lattice-like structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional spinal fusion implants are used, then the procedure is simple to perform, but the implants lack optimal structural stability and bone integration capability
Solution Approach 1:
The implant body is segmented into multiple functional zones including a lordotic zone with increased curvature and a neutral zone with decreased curvature. The peripheral structure is divided into distinct portions (anterior, posterior, lateral) with specialized features. This segmentation allows each region to provide optimized structural support and bone integration capabilities, resolving the contradiction between stability and complexity by organizing complexity into functional segments rather than uniform complexity throughout.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the implant are given different geometric properties and structural characteristics. The lordotic zone has increased curvature for anterior superior orientation, while the neutral zone has decreased curvature. The peripheral structure has varying thickness and reinforcement at different locations. This local differentiation provides optimal structural stability where needed without adding unnecessary complexity throughout the entire device.
2Reliability
If implants with increased curvature are used to promote bone ingrowth, then bone integration is improved, but the risk of device deformation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The implant incorporates a dynamic curvature profile that transitions from increased curvature in the lordotic zone to decreased curvature in the neutral zone. This dynamic geometric variation allows the structure to maintain rigidity in regions requiring stability while providing enhanced bone contact and integration potential in regions with increased curvature, resolving the contradiction between bone integration and deformation resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant utilizes a composite structure combining regions of different curvature and structural density. The peripheral structure incorporates both high-curvature regions for bone ingrowth and reinforced low-curvature regions for structural stability. This composite geometric design allows the single device to simultaneously achieve bone integration and deformation resistance without requiring multiple separate components.
3Ease of operation
If the implant has a lordotic zone with increased curvature, then anterior superior orientation is achieved for better bone contact, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The implant is manufactured with pre-formed lordotic and neutral zones incorporated into the basic device structure before implantation. The increased curvature in the lordotic zone and decreased curvature in the neutral zone are created during manufacturing rather than requiring post-implantation adjustment. This preliminary formation of the curvature profile simplifies the surgical procedure while achieving optimal bone contact orientation, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and manufacturing complexity by shifting the complexity to the manufacturing stage.
Data Source
AI summary
An implant may include a peripheral structure, an opening for receiving part of an insertion device, and a plurality of bone contacting elements. A first lateral portion and an anterior portion are joined at a first corner portion of the peripheral structure and a second lateral portion and a posterior portion are joined at a second corner portion of the peripheral structure. Also, the opening is disposed in the first corner portion of the peripheral structure. Further, the opening has a central axis and the implant further includes at least three support beams including a first support beam extending along a second axis through a central portion of the implant from the anterior portion to the posterior portion of the peripheral structure. In addition, the second axis of the first support beam is oriented at an oblique angle with respect to the central axis of the opening.