Expandable Inter-Facet Fixation Device for Bone Fusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal fusion devices, such as screw or rod systems, often fail to promote bone growth across the facet joint, leading to inadequate fixation and stability between vertebrae.
Innovation Solution
A compact, expandable device designed for inter-facet fusion that can be deployed between adjacent vertebrae, featuring a cannulated structure with a guidewire for minimally invasive insertion and expansion, creating an environment conducive to bone healing and growth through textured surfaces and osteogenic materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a typical screw or rod system is used for spinal fusion, then fixation between vertebral bodies is achieved, but bone growth across the facet joint is not promoted
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates a porous structure with interconnected pores that allow bone ingrowth and osteogenic material delivery across the facet joint, directly addressing the failure of conventional smooth-surfaced screws to promote bone growth while maintaining fixation stability
Solution Approach 2:
The device combines structural support functions with bone growth promotion functions through composite construction, integrating porous bone-contacting surfaces with load-bearing framework to simultaneously achieve reliable fixation and osteogenesis
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a compact, expandable device is inserted minimally invasively, then soft tissue disruption is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device transitions from a compact deliverable configuration to an expanded deployed configuration through dynamic structural transformation, enabling minimally invasive insertion followed by expansion to the final functional form within the facet joint space
Solution Approach 2:
The device employs a nested structure where expandable components are contained within a delivery system in a compact state, allowing minimally invasive insertion through small incisions followed by deployment to the full functional configuration at the target site
3Strength
If the device is expanded between facet surfaces, then anchoring and structural stability are improved, but the insertion procedure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates self-expanding or self-locking mechanisms that automatically engage with the facet surfaces upon deployment, providing self-anchoring functionality that simplifies the deployment procedure while ensuring strong mechanical fixation
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses an expandable structural element as an intermediary between the delivery system and the facet joint, facilitating controlled deployment and anchoring through gradual expansion that simplifies the overall insertion procedure
Data Source
AI summary
An implantable orthopedic stability device is disclosed. The device can have a contracted and an expanded configuration. A method of using the device between adjacent facet surfaces for support and/or fixation of either or both of the adjacent vertebrae is also disclosed.