Expandable Cervical Cage With Draw Bar Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spinal stabilization techniques require significant surgical time and skill for posterior access, and existing implants do not efficiently facilitate spinal alignment and expansion in situ for interbody fusion.
Innovation Solution
An expandable cervical cage implant with a clip mechanism using a draw bar and plate, allowing for angular expansion and positioning, which can be inserted through a small incision and expanded in situ to restore natural spinal curvature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional posterior surgical approach is used for spinal stabilization, then ease of access to the spine is improved, but surgical time and skill requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The implant is designed with an expandable structure that can be dynamically adjusted in size after insertion. The collar expands from a compressed state to a larger configuration, allowing the surgeon to insert the implant through a small incision and then expand it in situ to achieve the desired spinal stabilization, thereby reducing surgical time and skill requirements while maintaining ease of access.
2Reliability
If conventional implants are used for interbody fusion, then spinal stabilization is achieved, but the ability to expand and adjust size in situ is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The collar incorporates an expandable mechanism with movable members that can be actuated after insertion to increase the size of the implant body. This dynamic structure allows the collar to adapt to different spinal configurations and achieve reliable stabilization while providing the versatility to expand in situ as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant is divided into multiple movable members or segments that can move relative to each other during expansion. This segmentation allows the collar to transition from a compact insertion state to an expanded stabilization state, providing both reliability and adaptability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the implant is inserted through a small incision, then invasiveness is reduced, but the complexity of insertion and expansion mechanisms increases
Solution Approach 1:
The expandable mechanism is designed to be actuated after insertion through a simple operation, such as rotating a screw or actuating a lever. This dynamic design allows the collar to be inserted in a compact state through a small incision and then expanded to the desired size, reducing invasiveness while managing the complexity of the expansion mechanism through straightforward actuation.
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 efficient and minimally invasive spinal stabilization by allowing the implant to be inserted through a small incision and expanded in situ, facilitating spinal alignment and reducing the complexity of the surgical procedure.
Implementation Method 1
a draw bar 14 engaging an angular surface 36 of the clip 12, the draw bar 14 providing expansion of the spacing between the top and bottom surfaces of the clip 12
Data Source
AI summary
A cervical plate formed from an expandable clip that is drawn toward a plate by use of a draw screw coupled to a draw bar. The draw bar is placed in an aperture having engagement with an angular surface that operates in conjunction with a proximal and distal end of the clip, which engages a tab to cause expansion when the draw screw engages the draw bar across a plate.