Expandable Intervertebral Implant Balloon Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current expandable intervertebral implants struggle to optimally adapt to the intervertebral disc space and maintain a stable distraction post-surgery, as they lack the ability to individually adjust to the specific shape and dimensions of the disc space, particularly in thoracic and lumbar spine areas.
Innovation Solution
An expandable intervertebral implant featuring an inner and outer balloon element, both fillable with an injectable fluid and hardenable medium, where the outer balloon element takes the shape of the disc and is adjustable in height and contour to match the intervertebral disc space, with an additional supply line for fluid penetration into adjacent bone areas, allowing for precise shaping and stabilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the implant uses a fixed structure, then the manufacturing is simple, but the adaptability to different disc spaces is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The implant employs an expandable structure that transitions from a compressed delivery state to an expanded functional state within the disc space. The balloon element and outer shell can be inflated or extended to match the specific dimensions of the patient's disc space, providing adaptability while maintaining a compact form for implantation.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant is divided into functional segments including an outer shell, inner balloon element, and multiple supply lines. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of different components to achieve the desired shape and size adaptation to the disc space while simplifying the implantation process.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the implant allows individual adjustment, then the adaptability improves, but the stabilization difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The implant allows adjustment of critical parameters such as height, volume, and shape by controlling the inflation or expansion of the balloon element and outer shell. Once the optimal parameters are achieved, the structure is stabilized through the rigid outer shell and bone integration, ensuring long-term reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant is pre-configured with supply lines and structural components that enable controlled adjustment during surgery. The preliminary design includes mechanisms for fluid injection and expansion that allow surgeons to achieve the desired configuration before final stabilization and bone integration occur.
3Reliability
If additional supply lines are added for bone penetration, then the bone integration improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The supply lines serve multiple functions: they deliver curable medium for the balloon expansion, provide channels for bone cement injection into the vertebral bodies, and facilitate bone-implant integration. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall device architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The supply lines are integrated into the outer shell and balloon structure, combining the functions of structural support, fluid delivery, and bone integration pathways. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the implantation procedure.
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 optimal adaptation and stabilization of the intervertebral disc space, allowing for correction of lordosis or kyphosis angles and improved integration with bone tissue through adjustable height and fluid penetration, enhancing surgical outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
at least one additional supply line for the injectable fluid and curable medium is provided, which opens outwards in the upper and/or lower wall of the outer balloon element, so that the injected medium can penetrate into adjacent porous bone areas
Implementation Method 2
an injectable fluid and curable medium
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
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AI summary
The invention relates to an expandable intervertebral implant (2) for an artificial disc replacement, comprising a balloon element (6) which can be filled with an injectable fluid and curable medium. Upon being introduced into an intervertebral disc space in an intervertebral region as a disc replacement, the balloon element (6) is to approximately assume the shape of the previously removed intervertebral disc and in the injected state, the balloon element can be placed against an adjacent vertebral body side delimiting the intervertebral disc space at the top and at the bottom. The invention is characterized in that the balloon element (6) is permeable to the injected medium such that the injected medium can penetrate the adjoining porous bone regions, or at least one additional supply line (50) for the injectable fluid and curable medium is provided, said supply line opening outwards in the upper and/or lower wall of the balloon element (6) such that the injected medium can penetrate the adjacent porous bone regions.