Expandable Intervertebral Implant Guide Track Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing expandable intervertebral implants for spinal fusion are complex, unstable, and difficult to implant, often requiring significant distraction to achieve suitable vertebrae separation, which can cause trauma to nerve roots and complicate the procedure.
Innovation Solution
An expandable intervertebral implant system comprising upper and lower members with guide tracks and an insert that engages these tracks to facilitate expansion, allowing for controlled distraction and stabilization of adjacent vertebrae, reducing complexity and trauma during implantation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If expandable implants are used to maintain disc space height, then vertebrae separation is restored, but design complexity and implantation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The implant is divided into multiple segments including an upper body, lower body, and expandable cage portion. This segmentation allows the implant to be inserted in a compact state and then expanded to the desired height, reducing design complexity while maintaining disc space height restoration capability
Solution Approach 2:
The expandable cage is designed to be nested within the implant housing during insertion, allowing the implant to pass through the intervertebral space in a compact configuration. After insertion, the cage expands to its full height, restoring disc space without requiring complex pre-positioning mechanisms
2Length of stationary object
If distraction is applied to achieve suitable vertebrae separation, then implant insertion is enabled, but trauma to nerve roots occurs and procedure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The implant is pre-loaded with the expandable cage in a compressed state, allowing insertion without preliminary distraction. The distraction action is performed automatically as part of the implantation process itself, eliminating the need for separate, potentially harmful distraction steps that could traumatize nerve roots
Solution Approach 2:
The expandable cage acts as an intermediary mechanism between the implant housing and the vertebrae. It provides controlled expansion that gradually separates the vertebrae, distributing the distraction force evenly and avoiding sudden movements that could harm nerve roots
3Stability of the object's composition
If expandable implants are used to maintain vertebrae separation, then fusion stability is improved, but implantation difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The implant incorporates a self-expanding mechanism where the elastic cage automatically expands to the desired height after insertion, eliminating the need for complex external expansion tools or multi-step implantation procedures. This self-service feature maintains fusion stability while significantly simplifying the implantation process
Solution Approach 2:
The implant transitions from a static pre-assembled structure to a dynamic self-expanding structure. The elastic cage naturally expands to provide optimal vertebrae separation and fusion stability, eliminating the need for complex manual adjustment mechanisms during implantation
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an intervertebral implant to be implanted within an intervertebral space between endplates of adjacent vertebra during use. The implant includes an upper member having an inferior surface including an upper guide track and a superior surface to contact an endplate of an upper one of the adjacent vertebra during use, a lower member having a superior surface including a lower guide track and an inferior surface to contact an endplate of a lower one of the adjacent vertebra during use, and an insert having a superior surface including an upper guide rail to engage the upper guide track during use and an inferior surface including a lower guide rail to engage the lower guide track during use. Engagement of the upper and lower guide rails with the upper and lower guide tracks, respectively, guides insertion of the insert between the upper and lower members during use, and insertion of the insert between the upper and lower members facilitates expansion of the intervertebral implant.