Expandable Interbody Fusion Device for Vertebral Spacing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical implants fail to effectively maintain or reestablish proper spacing between bones, particularly in the spine, leading to potential neurological and structural impairments due to damage or disease affecting bone structures.
Innovation Solution
An interbody fusion device comprising a top member, a base member, and an expansion member, where the expansion member is threaded and rotates to translate the bone-engaging sides, allowing for adjustable spacing between vertebral bodies through surgical insertion and expansion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current surgical implants are used, then bone structure support is provided, but proper spacing between bones cannot be maintained or reestablished
Solution Approach 1:
The implant device incorporates an expandable cage structure with adjustable height, allowing dynamic adaptation to maintain proper spacing between vertebral bodies. The cage can be expanded or contracted intraoperatively to achieve the precise spacing required for bone fusion while providing structural support.
Solution Approach 2:
The device utilizes adjustable geometric parameters, specifically the height of the interbody cage, which can be modified during surgery to optimize spacing. This parameter adjustment enables the implant to adapt to different patient anatomies and pathological conditions while maintaining reliable structural support.
2Ease of operation
If fixed spacing implants are used, then insertion is simplified, but precise spacing control between vertebral bodies is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The cage height is made dynamically adjustable through a mechanical expansion mechanism that allows surgeons to precisely control the final spacing between vertebral bodies after insertion, combining ease of insertion with precise spacing control.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant is designed to be inserted in a compressed state through a delivery system, simplifying the insertion process. After insertion, the cage is expanded to the desired height to achieve precise spacing control, separating the insertion simplicity requirement from the spacing precision requirement.
3Adaptability or versatility
If expandable cage structure is used, then spacing adjustment is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cage is divided into multiple expandable segments or struts that can be independently adjusted. This segmentation allows for controlled expansion while maintaining structural integrity, enabling spacing adjustment without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The expandable mechanism utilizes a nested structure where internal components are housed within the cage body, allowing the complex expansion mechanism to be compactly integrated without significantly increasing the overall device footprint or apparent complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device enables precise maintenance of space between vertebral bodies, facilitating bone fusion and preventing long-term neurological impairments by allowing for adjustable expansion and contraction, thus ensuring continued mobility and structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
The expansion member may include a threaded portion threadably engaged with the threaded opening. Rotation of the expansion member may translate the top member relative to the base member along the axis.
Data Source
AI summary
An interbody fusion device includes a top member, a base member, and an expansion member. The top member includes a first bone-engaging side and a threaded opening. The base member is received by the top member and includes a second bone-engaging side and an open cavity aligned with the threaded opening of the top member. The expansion member is disposed within the open cavity for rotation about an axis. The expansion member includes a threaded portion threadably engaged with the threaded opening. Rotation of the expansion member translates the first bone-engaging side away from the second bone-engaging side along the axis.