Expandable Interspinous-Interlaminar Implants for Adjustable Distraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing interspinous-interlaminar stabilization systems are invasive and lack an adjustable level of distraction between affected vertebrae, often interfering with multiple levels and failing to provide reliable spacing maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic implant system with a resilient block and rotatable members that expand and contract to maintain spacing between spinous processes and laminae, featuring a threaded member to transition between retracted and deployed configurations, and hinges for rotational coupling, allowing adjustable distraction and stabilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional interspinous-interlaminar implants are used to maintain spacing between vertebrae, then stabilization is achieved, but the implants are invasive and cannot be adjusted for different levels of distraction
Solution Approach 1:
The implant incorporates a resilient block that can be compressed and expanded to provide adjustable distraction between vertebrae. The block's resilient nature allows it to dynamically adapt to different compression forces and maintain variable spacing, transforming a static implant into a dynamic, adjustable stabilization device.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant allows surgeons to adjust the distraction level by compressing the resilient block to different degrees during insertion. By changing the compression parameter of the resilient block, the implant can provide different levels of vertebral spacing to match specific patient needs and pathological conditions.
2Reliability
If multiple adjacent vertebral levels are treated with implants, then comprehensive stabilization is achieved, but implants interfere with each other
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient block is nested within a housing structure that contains superior and inferior members. This nested configuration allows the implant to be compact when not in use and expand only when needed at the specific vertebral level, enabling multiple implants to be placed at adjacent levels without interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant is divided into distinct segments including the resilient block, housing, superior member, and inferior member. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently and enables the implant to be positioned at multiple vertebral levels without the components of adjacent implants interfering with each other.
3Ease of operation
If larger incisions are made to accommodate traditional implants, then implant placement is facilitated, but recovery time increases and patient trauma increases
Solution Approach 1:
The implant can be inserted in a compressed state through smaller incisions and then expanded to its functional size once positioned between the vertebrae. This dynamic insertion capability allows surgeons to use minimally invasive approaches while still achieving the necessary stabilization effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient block is pre-compressed to a compact size before insertion, allowing it to pass through small incisions. After placement, the block is released from compression and expands to its functional size, providing the required distraction. This preliminary compression action enables minimally invasive implantation.
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
Enables reliable placement with smaller incisions, less intrusive implants, and shorter recovery times, providing adjustable distraction and stabilization between vertebrae while minimizing nerve compression.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient block configured to move within a cavity between the superior member and the inferior member such that, with the dynamic implant in a deployed configuration, the resilient block may urge the superior member and the inferior member to move apart
Implementation Method 2
a threaded member configured to rotatably engage the resilient block such that rotation of the threaded member may urge the resilient block to translate distally thereby urging the dynamic implant to move from a retracted configuration to the deployed configuration
Implementation Method 3
a superior hinge configured to rotatably couple the superior member and the interconnecting member, and an inferior hinge configured to rotatably couple the inferior member and the interconnecting member
Data Source
AI summary
A system may be configured to maintain spacing between a superior spinous process and lamina, and an inferior spinous process and lamina, of adjacent vertebrae. The system may include a dynamic implant having an implanted position. The dynamic implant may include an interconnecting member having a proximal superior surface having a superior concavity shaped to receive the superior spinous process, and a proximal inferior surface having an inferior concavity shaped to receive the inferior spinous process. The dynamic implant may also include a superior member having a distal superior surface, that faces the superior lamina in the implanted position, an inferior member having a distal inferior surface, that faces the inferior lamina in the implanted position, and a resilient block configured to move within a cavity between the superior and inferior members such that, the resilient block may urge the superior and inferior members to move apart.