Expandable Inter-body Fusion Device with Rotating Insert
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal implants lack the ability to adjust their expansion and curvature, which limits their versatility and can lead to increased surgical morbidity and difficulty in maintaining proper spinal alignment during procedures like inter-body fusion.
Innovation Solution
An expandable inter-body fusion device comprising a first plate, a second plate, and an insert, where rotating the insert relative to the plates allows for adjustable expansion and angle adjustment between the plates, enabling customizable height and angle settings for better spinal alignment and fusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a fixed-length spinal implant is used, then the implantation procedure is simple, but the surgeon cannot adjust the degree of expansion or curvature
Solution Approach 1:
The implant transitions from a static fixed-length structure to a dynamic expandable structure. The implant includes an expandable body with movable components (pistons, chambers, or scissor mechanisms) that allow the surgeon to adjust the degree of expansion and curvature post-implantation, enabling the device to adapt to different spinal configurations while maintaining a simple initial implantation procedure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple insertion instrumentation is used to adjust expansion, then the adjustability is improved, but the device complexity and surgical morbidity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism is integrated directly into the implant body, merging the expansion function with the implant structure itself. The implant contains internal components (chambers, pistons, or scissor mechanisms) that enable adjustment through a single unified system rather than requiring multiple separate instrumentation tools, thereby reducing surgical complexity while maintaining adjustability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a larger implant is used to accommodate expansion, then the adjustability range is improved, but the size of surgical incision required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The implant utilizes a nested configuration where expandable components are housed within a compact initial footprint. The implant body contains internal chambers or folded structures that allow significant expansion capability while maintaining a small insertion profile, enabling the surgeon to use a smaller incision while still achieving the required expansion range for spinal adjustment.
4Ease of manufacture
If fixed curvature implants are used, then the manufacturing is simpler, but the ability to maintain proper spinal alignment is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The implant incorporates a dynamically adjustable curvature mechanism that allows the device to be manufactured with a standard baseline curvature while enabling post-implantation adjustment to match the patient's specific spinal anatomy. The expandable body with adjustable components permits real-time modification of the curvature profile, combining manufacturing simplicity with alignment versatility.
Data Source
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AI summary
An expandable, adjustable inter-body fusion device is presented. The inter-body fusion device can have a first plate, a second plate, and an insert positioned substantially therebetween the first plate and the second plate. The first plate, the second plate, and the insert define an interior cavity. Rotation of the insert relative to the first and second plates increases or decreases the distance of the first plate with respect to the second plate, effectively expanding the inter-body fusion device and increasing the volume of the interior cavity. The angle between the first plate and the second plate is selectively adjustable.