Expandable Interbody Implant With Screw-Linkage Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current intervertebral fusion devices for spinal surgery involve lengthy operations, risk of nerve injury, and hip pain due to bone graft harvesting, and require significant disc space destruction.
Innovation Solution
An expandable interbody device with a drive block, linkage block, and endplates that allow for minimally invasive insertion and expansion between vertebrae, providing stability and bone fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional intervertebral fusion devices are used, then spinal fusion can be achieved, but operation time is lengthy and there is risk of nerve injury
Solution Approach 1:
The intervertebral fusion device is divided into multiple segments including upper endplate, lower endplate, and body portion that can be assembled together. This segmentation allows for minimally invasive insertion where components are introduced separately through small incisions, significantly reducing operation time while maintaining fusion reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The device components are designed to nest within each other during insertion. The body portion can be inserted within the endplates, and internal fixation elements can be nested within the body portion. This nested configuration enables all components to be introduced through a single small incision, reducing surgical time and eliminating the need for large incisions that expose nerves
2Reliability
If traditional intervertebral fusion devices are used, then spinal fusion can be achieved, but there is risk of nerve injury due to significant disc space destruction
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the device into separately insertable components, the surgery requires minimal disc space preparation. The endplates and body portion can be introduced through small corridors without requiring extensive removal of disc material, thereby protecting surrounding nerves from injury while still achieving reliable spinal fusion
Solution Approach 2:
The device is pre-assembled or pre-positioned in a compact configuration that allows insertion through a small working corridor before expansion or final positioning. This preliminary configuration minimizes the need for large incisions and extensive disc space preparation, reducing nerve exposure and injury risk
3Reliability
If traditional intervertebral fusion devices are used, then spinal fusion can be achieved, but hip pain occurs due to bone graft harvesting
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the need for autologous bone graft harvesting from the surgical procedure. The device itself provides the necessary structural support and osteogenic elements, eliminating the need to harvest bone from the patient's hip. This removes the source of post-operative hip pain while maintaining successful fusion outcomes
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates synthetic or allograft bone substitute materials that replace the need for autologous bone grafts. These materials provide the necessary osteogenic function without requiring hip bone harvesting, eliminating hip pain while achieving reliable spinal fusion
4Reliability
If traditional intervertebral fusion devices are used, then spinal fusion can be achieved, but significant disc space destruction is required
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented device design allows components to be inserted through small working corridors with minimal disc space preparation. The endplates can be introduced separately from the body portion, requiring only small channels rather than large open spaces, thereby preserving more of the native disc space structure while achieving reliable fusion
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
Facilitates faster, safer spinal fusion with reduced nerve damage and hip pain by allowing for minimal retraction and enhanced bone formation.
Implementation Method 1
a drive screw threadingly disposed within the other of the linkage block opening or the drive block opening... during rotation of the drive screw a distance between the drive block opening and the linkage block opening is caused to change
Data Source
AI summary
An expandable interbody device used as a prosthesis during spinal surgery. The expandable interbody device is configured to be inserted into the space between spinal disks to provide stability. The expandable interbody device includes a drive block, a linkage block, a drive screw, a first endplate, a second endplate, and at least two linkages. Rotation of the drive screw causes movement of the linkage block relative to the drive block and/or movement of the first endplate relative to the second endplate.