Expandable Vertebral Distractor for Stress-Free Implant Insertion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current intervertebral implantation devices face challenges such as high stress on implants during insertion, exposure of fixation features during implantation, and inability to select implants after distraction, which can lead to damage and hinder precise placement.

Innovation Solution

A surgical device with a cannula and expandable operative end that allows for distraction of vertebrae without compressing the implant, enabling the implant to be loaded and advanced without significant stress, and allowing for selection and placement of multiple implant components sequentially.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a distractor device is applied to adjacent vertebrae to restore disc space height, then the implant can be placed in the intervertebral space, but high stress and compression are exerted on the implant during insertion which may damage it

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplant integrityVSAvoidstress on implant during insertion

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into separate functional components: a distractor portion for distracting vertebrae and an implantor portion for delivering the implant. This segmentation allows the distractor to create space without transmitting compression forces to the implant, resolving the contradiction between achieving implant placement and protecting implant integrity from stress.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The distractor portion is used preliminarily to distract the vertebrae and restore disc space height before the implant is inserted. By performing the distraction action in advance and maintaining it during implant delivery, the device eliminates the need to compress the implant to achieve placement, thereby protecting implant integrity while achieving reliable placement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the implant is advanced through the distractor arms to place it between the vertebrae, then the implant can be positioned in the intervertebral space, but fixation features such as spikes are exposed which can lead to damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplant placement accuracyVSAvoidexposure of fixation features

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The implantor portion acts as an intermediary device that delivers the implant to the intervertebral space without exposing its fixation features. The implantor protects the spikes or other fixation features during delivery, preventing damage while enabling accurate placement in the distracted space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The implant is nested within the implantor portion during delivery, with the fixation features concealed inside the implantor structure. This nesting arrangement protects the vulnerable fixation features from exposure and damage while allowing precise delivery to the target location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Ease of operation

If the implant is compressed to fit between the vertebrae during insertion, then the implant can be placed in the narrowed disc space, but the implant may be damaged before disposal in the intervertebral space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplant insertion feasibilityVSAvoidimplant integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device separates the distraction function from the implant delivery function. The distractor portion creates and maintains the necessary disc space height without compressing the implant, while the implantor portion delivers the implant in its uncompressed state. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by making implant insertion feasible through distraction rather than compression.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Force

If the implant does full work of spreading the arms and distracting the vertebrae, then the vertebrae can be distracted to the desired height, but manipulation of the implant to a desired purpose is hindered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedistraction forceVSAvoidimplant manipulation

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device divides the distraction function (performed by the distractor portion) from the implant delivery and manipulation function (performed by the implantor portion). This allows the implant to be manipulated freely within the implantor without needing to perform distraction work, while the distractor independently provides the necessary distraction force to achieve the desired vertebral separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS8734515B2Methods and apparatus for insertion of intervertebral implants and devices therefor

Publication Date: 2014.05.27 MIGHTY OAK MEDICAL INC

AI summary

Surgical device and methods for using same for distraction of adjacent vertebrae and insertion of an intervertebral implant material there between are disclosed. In a method, a leading end of the surgical device having major and minor dimensions is inserted between adjacent vertebrae with the minor dimension aligned in the rostral-caudal direction, and then the leading end is rotated to a second orientation to align the major dimension with the rostral-caudal direction. The surgical device includes slots permitting expansion thereof to allow an implant to be disposed from the leading end into the intervertebral space. In another form, the a first member of a surgical device is initially inserted in an orientation, and second member is moved relative to the first member to expand the first member for distracting the vertebrae, the implant then being disposed from the leading end into the intervertebral space.