Expandable Intervertebral Endplate for Minimally Invasive Spine Fusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Later generation intervertebral motion discs inserted from posterior or posterolateral directions face challenges with minimized endplate size, which compromises stability and natural motion due to reduced footprint.
Innovation Solution
An expandable endplate design featuring slidably receivable planks that contract during insertion and expand post-placement, increasing the endplate footprint for enhanced stability and mimicking natural vertebral endplate geometry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the motion disc is inserted from posterior or posterolateral directions with minimized portal size, then the insertion technique is improved and tissue damage is reduced, but the endplate footprint is reduced which compromises stability and natural motion
Solution Approach 1:
The endplate is designed with expandable planks that can dynamically change size from a compact inserted state to an expanded functional state. The planks are received within recesses in a contracted position for easy insertion, then expanded outward after insertion to achieve the desired large footprint for stability and natural motion, resolving the contradiction between easy insertion and large endplate area.
2Ease of manufacture
If the endplate size is minimized for posterior insertion, then the portal size is reduced for minimally invasive surgery, but the stability of the motion disc is reduced due to smaller footprint
Solution Approach 1:
The endplate is pre-configured with planks in a contracted position within recesses, allowing minimally invasive insertion. After insertion, the planks are expanded to their full size to provide stability. This preliminary contracted configuration enables easy insertion while the post-insertion expansion provides the necessary stability, resolving the contradiction between minimally invasive insertion and stability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the endplate footprint is increased to improve stability, then the natural motion is better mimicked, but the insertion complexity increases due to larger profile
Solution Approach 1:
The endplate is segmented into a base portion and multiple expandable planks. The planks are received within recesses in a contracted state for simple insertion, then expanded outward to increase the footprint for stability and natural motion. This segmentation allows the endplate to have a simple inserted profile while achieving a large functional footprint, resolving the contradiction between stability and insertion complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An intervertebral implant having an endplate that can be slidably expanded following its placement in the intervertebral space. The endplate comprises a pair of planks that are slidably received within respective recesses of a base portion of the endplate. During insertion of the implant into the intervertebral space, the planks are set in a contracted position within respective recesses of a base portion of the endplate. This provides the implant with a relatively small profile that is suitable for MIS procedures. Once the implant has been inserted, the planks are slid outward from the recesses to an expanded position that increases the footprint of the implant endplate. This expansion increases the stability of the implant.