Expandable Interbody Device Segmentation for Spinal Fusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing interbody devices for spinal fusion surgery often face challenges such as difficulty in insertion and positioning, require significant distraction of the intervertebral space, have large access window needs, complex designs, and inadequate support for lordosis correction, leading to complications and prolonged healing times.
Innovation Solution
The development of an expandable interbody device with a main body and movable arm, allowing for controlled expansion and easy insertion through a small access window, providing enhanced support and lordosis correction, and featuring a simple design to reduce manufacturing costs and minimize post-operative complications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional interbody devices are used, then structural support is provided, but insertion difficulty and access window requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The interbody device is divided into multiple segments or components that can be collapsed into a compact configuration for insertion through a small access window, then expanded to the full size needed for structural support. This segmentation allows the device to pass through restricted spaces while maintaining its functional dimensions once positioned.
Solution Approach 2:
The device transitions from a static, fixed-size design to a dynamic, expandable structure. The interbody device can change its configuration from a compressed state during insertion to an expanded state for providing structural support, allowing easy insertion through small access windows while maintaining adequate support capabilities.
2Device complexity
If traditional interbody devices are used, then spacing restoration is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions are merged into a single device structure. The interbody device combines spacing restoration, lordosis correction, and structural support capabilities into one integrated expandable unit, eliminating the need for multiple separate components or complex assembly mechanisms while maintaining reliable performance of all functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The expandable interbody device is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it restores spacing between vertebrae, provides lordosis correction through its expandable geometry, and delivers structural support. This multi-functionality is achieved through a single device design rather than multiple specialized components, reducing overall system complexity.
3Force
If traditional interbody devices are used, then insertion is performed, but distraction requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device is pre-configured in a compressed state that requires minimal distraction force for insertion. The expandable structure allows the device to be inserted first in a low-force compressed configuration, then expanded in place to achieve the final spacing restoration, eliminating the need for significant pre-distraction of the intervertebral space.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring distraction force to be applied before insertion to create space for the device, the approach is inverted: the device is inserted in a compressed state without significant distraction, then the device itself generates the expansion force to create the necessary spacing. This reverses the traditional sequence of distraction then insertion.
Data Source
AI summary
An interbody device may include a main body and an arm movably connected thereto. The device may have a first end, a second end opposite the first end in a direction of a longitudinal axis of the device, a first side, a second side opposite the first side in a direction of a first transverse axis of the device, a third side, and a fourth side opposite the third side in a direction of a second transverse axis of the device. An overall distance between the first side and the second side may increase along at least a majority of a length of the device in a direction from the first end toward the second end, and an overall distance between the third side and the fourth side may increase along at least a majority of the length in a direction from the second end toward the first end.