Expandable Intervertebral Implant Dynamics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional intervertebral fusion devices require vertebral body distraction for implantation, making it difficult to install them at minimal distraction height and maintain normal disc spacing, which complicates surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
An expandable intervertebral implant with a configuration that transitions from a collapsed state to a laterally expanded and then vertically expanded state, allowing for installation without initial distraction, utilizing a combination of endplates and actuators to adjust dimensions for proper fit and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional fusion devices are used, then vertebral body distraction is required to restore disc space height, but this makes it difficult to install the device at minimal distraction height and complicates surgical procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The fusion device incorporates expandable actuators that enable dynamic adjustment of the device dimensions after implantation. The device transitions from a compressed delivery configuration to an expanded operational configuration, allowing it to be installed at minimal distraction height and then expanded to maintain normal disc spacing, thereby simplifying the surgical procedure while maintaining proper disc height
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed with nested components where the expandable actuators and endplates are contained within a delivery system in a compressed state. During implantation, the device is inserted in a collapsed configuration through a minimally invasive approach, then expanded in situ to achieve the final operational dimensions, eliminating the need for extensive pre-distribution of the vertebral bodies
2Length of stationary object
If fusion devices are dimensioned larger in height than initial distraction height to maintain normal disc spacing, then disc spacing is maintained, but this makes it difficult to install the device in the distracted intervertebral space
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs dynamic expansion mechanisms that allow it to be implanted in a compressed state at minimal height and then expanded to the target height for maintaining normal disc spacing. The actuators enable controlled expansion in the vertical dimension after the device is securely positioned in the intervertebral space, resolving the contradiction between implantability and disc spacing maintenance
Solution Approach 2:
The device is prepared in a pre-compressed delivery configuration that allows easy insertion into the distracted intervertebral space. After implantation, the expansion actuators are activated to achieve the final expanded height that maintains normal disc spacing. This preliminary compression followed by post-implantation expansion eliminates the difficulty of installing an oversized device in a limited space
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 the implantation of the fusion device at minimal distraction height, maintaining normal disc spacing and facilitating spinal stability, thus simplifying the surgical process and improving fusion outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
an actuator configured to transition the implant from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration
Implementation Method 2
The intervertebral implant comprises front and rear ramped actuators configured to move relative to one another
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides an expandable fusion device capable of being installed inside an intervertebral disc space to maintain normal disc spacing and restore spinal stability, thereby facilitating an intervertebral fusion. In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides an intervertebral implant. The intervertebral implant may be configured to transition from a collapsed configuration having a first height and a first width to an expanded configuration having a second height and a second width.