Expandable Fusion Device Endplate Dynamics for Spinal Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional intervertebral fusion devices require vertebral body distraction to maintain normal disc spacing, making installation challenging due to size discrepancies between the distracted height and the fusion device.
Innovation Solution
An expandable fusion device with moveable endplates that can be deployed in an unexpanded or expanded configuration, allowing for installation with minimal to no distraction and maintaining normal disc spacing by expanding to accommodate varying heights.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fusion devices are used, then vertebral body distraction is required to maintain normal disc spacing, but this makes installation challenging due to size discrepancies between distracted height and fusion device
Solution Approach 1:
The fusion device incorporates expandable endplates that can dynamically change size after insertion. The endplates are initially inserted in a collapsed state to facilitate easy placement, then expanded to the required size to maintain proper disc spacing, resolving the contradiction between ease of installation and reliability of spacing maintenance
Solution Approach 2:
The device is prepared in a preliminary collapsed configuration that allows for simple insertion into the intervertebral space. After insertion, the endplates are expanded to their functional size to maintain disc spacing. This preliminary action approach separates the insertion phase from the functional phase, eliminating installation difficulty while ensuring spacing reliability
2Length of stationary object
If fusion device height is increased to maintain disc spacing after distraction, then spacing is maintained, but the device becomes more difficult to install in the distracted space
Solution Approach 1:
The fusion device uses dynamically expandable endplates that can transition from a small collapsed size during insertion to a larger expanded size for maintaining disc spacing. This dynamic size change capability allows the device to be easily installed in the distracted space and then expanded to the appropriate height for spacing maintenance
Solution Approach 2:
The endplates are designed to nest within the fusion device body in a collapsed state, allowing the entire device to be compact enough for easy insertion. After insertion, the endplates are deployed outward from the nested configuration to achieve the required height for maintaining disc spacing, effectively solving the installation difficulty problem
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an expandable fusion device capable of being installed inside an intervertebral disc space to maintain normal disc spacing and restore spinal stability, thereby facilitating an intervertebral fusion. In one embodiment, the fusion device includes a body portion, a first endplate, and a second endplate, the first and second endplates capable of being moved in a direction away from the body portion into an expanded configuration or capable of being moved towards the body portion into an unexpanded configuration. The fusion device is capable of being deployed and installed in both configurations.