Expandable Spinal Implants With Independent Height Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing spinal fusion procedures face challenges in accurately positioning and handling artificial implants due to the need for precise consideration of spinal stresses and biological responses, with current implants often requiring large incisions and lacking flexibility in adjusting height and lordosis angles.

Innovation Solution

The development of expandable implant devices with independently movable translating members and actuators allows for adjustable height and lordosis angles, featuring anti-migration and anti-rotation mechanisms to enhance stability and support, enabling minimal incision insertion and customizable fit to patient needs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional fixed-size spinal implants are used, then surgical procedure is simplified, but the implant cannot be adjusted to match patient-specific anatomical requirements and spinal stress distributions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustability to patient needsVSAvoidimplant structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The implant is divided into multiple independent translating members (first translating member, second translating member) that can move relative to each other, allowing independent adjustment of different dimensions. Each translating member is coupled to its own actuator, enabling modular control and customization of the implant's final configuration to match patient-specific anatomy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The implant transitions from a static, fixed-size structure to a dynamic, adjustable structure. The translating members are configured to move along the actuators (screws) intraoperatively, allowing the implant to be resized and reconfigured after insertion to achieve the optimal fit and spinal alignment for each patient.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If expandable implant mechanisms are added to allow intraoperative adjustment, then adaptability to patient needs improves, but device complexity and handling precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintraoperative adjustabilityVSAvoidhandling and positioning

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The implant is inserted in a compressed, low-profile state through a minimally invasive approach before expansion. The actuators are pre-positioned within the implant structure, and the translating members are pre-configured to enable controlled expansion along predetermined axes, simplifying the intraoperative adjustment process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The actuators (screws) serve as intermediary mechanisms between the surgeon's control and the translating members. By rotating the actuators, the surgeon can precisely control the translation and positioning of each translating member, enabling accurate adjustment of implant dimensions without requiring direct manual manipulation of the translating members themselves.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If independent translating members with actuators are used, then dimensional customization improves, but the risk of migration and rotation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedimensional customizationVSAvoidimplant stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The endplates are configured with curved, domed surfaces that conform to the natural curvature of vertebral bodies. This spherical-like geometry provides broad surface contact and geometric interlocking, preventing migration and rotation of the implant while accommodating the dimensional adjustments made by the translating members.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

Anti-migration features are integrated into the endplate design to preemptively counteract forces that could cause implant displacement. The curved surfaces and geometric constraints are built into the structure before implantation, creating inherent resistance to migration and rotation that maintains stability throughout the adjustment and healing processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentUS12427036B2Expandable implants

Publication Date: 2025.09.30 NUVASIVE INC

AI summary

An expandable implant includes: a first endplate, a second endplate, a first translating member moveably coupled to a first actuator, and a second translating member moveably coupled to a second actuator. The first translating member may be configured to move independently from the second translating member, and the first translating member and the second translating member may be configured to change a spatial relationship between the first endplate and the second endplate. The change in spatial relationship may change a resulting height, length, width, angle of lordosis, or other dimension of the expandable implant.