Expandable Interbody Device with Lateral Expansion Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing expandable interbody devices for intervertebral fusion and immobilization often limit the space for bone graft material due to expansion mechanisms, making it difficult to add graft material post-implantation and ensuring sufficient contact for bone ingrowth.
Innovation Solution
An expandable interbody device with upper and lower bearing members and an expansion mechanism that allows for shifting between compact and expanded configurations, featuring through-openings for bone ingrowth and a system for inserting osteoconductive material through an enclosed pathway using an insertion tool.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If an expansion mechanism is included in the interbody device to expand the height between bearing members, then the device can restore vertebral spacing and promote fusion, but the expansion mechanism occupies central space that would otherwise be available for bone graft material
Solution Approach 1:
The interbody device is segmented into distinct functional zones: expansion mechanisms are positioned laterally at the edges of the device, while the central region is dedicated exclusively to bone graft material containment. This segmentation allows the expansion mechanism to perform its height-restoration function without encroaching on the bone graft space, resolving the spatial conflict between these two critical functions.
2Quantity of substance
If bone graft material is contained within the interbody device to promote fusion, then fusion between vertebrae is promoted, but it becomes difficult or impossible to add additional bone graft material after the device is implanted
Solution Approach 1:
The interbody device incorporates a dynamic bone graft containment system with movable or removable components that allow the bone graft cavity to be accessed after implantation. The device transitions from a closed state during implantation to an accessible state post-implantation, enabling additional bone graft material to be added through the same access pathway used for initial insertion, thus maintaining flexibility in bone graft quantity.
3Strength
If the interbody device is expanded to restore vertebral spacing, then structural support is improved, but there may not be sufficient bone graft material to fill the bone graft cavity and maintain contact with adjacent vertebral endplates
Solution Approach 1:
The device is designed with pre-configured bone graft containment features and expansion mechanisms positioned to work in a specific sequence: bone graft material is loaded into the containment structure before device expansion occurs. This preliminary action ensures that adequate bone graft material is already in place and positioned for contact with vertebral endplates before the expansion mechanism is activated to restore vertebral spacing, preventing the problem of insufficient bone graft contact.
Data Source
AI summary
An expandable interbody device for implantation within an intervertebral space is provided, together with methods and tools for use therewith. The interbody devices of the present invention include upper and lower bearing members configured to expand via an expansion mechanism configured to allow the insertion of osteoconductive materials and other structures into the interior of the interbody device before and after implantation, and before and after expansion of the interbody device. The insertion tool is configured expand the interbody device and to allow insertion of materials into the interbody device through a protected pathway.