Expandable Mesh Spinal Stabilization for Vertebral Height Restoration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vertebral augmentation techniques, such as kyphoplasty, face challenges in maintaining consistent vertebral body height and angular restoration due to the deflation and removal of balloons used to create voids for bone cement, leading to unreliable outcomes and increased risk of pedicle screw loosening.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using an expandable metal mesh delivered by a balloon-tipped cannula to stabilize the vertebral body, with bone cement being delivered through fenestrations in a pedicle screw, ensuring 360° internal fixation and maintaining desired anatomical distances by controlling the cement distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a balloon is used to create a void in the vertebral body for bone cement delivery, then the vertebral height and angle can be restored, but the void volume and shape change when the balloon is deflated and removed, leading to unreliable anatomical restoration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an expandable mesh as an intermediary structure that remains in place during bone cement delivery, replacing the traditional balloon that is removed after inflation. The mesh acts as a permanent scaffold that maintains void shape and volume, preventing collapse and ensuring consistent anatomical restoration outcomes.
Solution Approach 2:
The expandable mesh changes its physical state from a compressed delivery configuration to an expanded functional configuration within the vertebral body. This parameter change allows the mesh to maintain the desired void geometry permanently, unlike the temporary balloon that loses its shape-maintaining capability when deflated.
2Strength
If pedicle screws are inserted through trabecular bone to provide spinal stability, then fixation strength can be achieved, but screw loosening occurs commonly as a complication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines pedicle screws with bone cement in a composite fixation system. The bone cement fills the trabecular bone around the screw threads, creating a composite structure that enhances mechanical interlocking and distributes loads more effectively, thereby preventing screw loosening while maintaining fixation strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the porous trabecular bone structure and fills it with bone cement to create a reinforced composite material. The cement penetrates and bonds with the porous bone architecture, providing enhanced mechanical support and preventing screw backout or loosening over time.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional kyphoplasty procedures are used with balloon deflation and removal, then bone cement can be delivered into the vertebral body, but the multistep process produces inconsistent patient outcomes
Solution Approach 1:
The expandable mesh serves as a permanent intermediary structure that eliminates the need for repeated adjustments after balloon deflation. By maintaining void geometry continuously from expansion through cement delivery, the mesh simplifies the procedural workflow while ensuring consistent anatomical restoration outcomes.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for a spinal stabilization procedure includes a cannulated tubular body configured to be inserted into a spinal surgical site and an expansion component coupled to the cannulated tubular body. The expansion component can include a plurality of elongated mechanical supports which can be axially aligned with the cannulated tubular body when in a collapsed state, and which can bend outward in a radial direction when in an expanded state. The mechanical expansion can be controlled using one or more adjustment elements of the device. Related apparatus, systems, kits, techniques and articles are also described.