Expandable Intervertebral Fusion Implant with Telescopic Segments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current intervertebral fusion implants have limited adjustability and stability, making it difficult to achieve optimal fit in varying disc space shapes and sizes, leading to complications such as implant migration, expulsion, or sub-optimal stability due to the need for excessive retraction of neural or vascular elements.
Innovation Solution
An expandable intervertebral fusion implant with telescopingly engaged components that can be expanded in situ to desired lengths, widths, and heights, filled with a hardenable material to maintain the expanded state, allowing for minimally invasive procedures and stable long-term fusion of vertebral elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed-size intervertebral implants are used, then the implant structure is simple, but the implant cannot accommodate varying disc space dimensions leading to migration or expulsion
Solution Approach 1:
The implant is divided into multiple expandable segments or struts that can be independently adjusted. These segments connect through joints allowing the implant to be configured in different sizes and shapes to match the specific disc space geometry, thereby achieving adaptability without requiring a completely different implant for each case.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant incorporates dynamic adjustment mechanisms such as telescopic struts, rotating joints, or inflatable elements that allow the implant size and shape to be modified after insertion. This enables the implant to adapt to varying disc space dimensions while maintaining a relatively simple base structure that can be adjusted intraoperatively.
2Reliability
If custom-fit implants are created for each disc space, then the fit and stability are optimized, but the manufacturing complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single implant design with adjustable features serves multiple disc space sizes and configurations. The implant includes standardized components with variable adjustment ranges, allowing one universal implant type to be used across different patient anatomies and disc space dimensions, thereby maintaining reliability without requiring custom manufacturing for each case.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant allows adjustment of key parameters such as length, width, height, and curvature through mechanical means like threaded adjustments, hydraulic systems, or modular component assembly. This enables the same base implant to be customized to specific disc space requirements by changing its dimensional parameters rather than manufacturing entirely different implants.
3Reliability
If larger implants are used to ensure stability, then the stability is improved, but the risk of neural or vascular element injury increases due to excessive retraction
Solution Approach 1:
The implant allows for gradual expansion or adjustment to the precise size needed for stability, rather than requiring insertion of a pre-sized large implant. This dynamic adjustment capability enables surgeons to expand the implant to the minimum necessary dimensions that provide stability while minimizing retraction of neural and vascular structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant incorporates self-expanding or self-adjusting features that allow it to achieve its stable configuration after insertion without requiring excessive external force or prolonged retraction. The implant may use spring-loaded mechanisms, shape memory materials, or progressive expansion systems that automatically achieve stable fixation at appropriate dimensions.
Data Source
AI summary
An expandable intervertebral fusion implant including an inferior component, a superior component arranged to telescopingly engage the inferior component, and a port arranged in the inferior or superior component. When a first material is introduced through the port, the inferior and superior components are displaced vertically. Each of the inferior and/or superior components can include telescoping components which allow the inferior and/or superior components to be expanded along the length and/or width of the implant before the inferior and superior components are displaced vertically. The expandable intervertebral fusion implant can be expanded with, and locked in place, hydraulic and/or hardenable material. Alternatively, the expandable intervertebral fusion implant can be expanded using a mechanical implement and then hardenable material can be introduced into the implant to maintain the implant in the expanded position.