Expandable Spacing Device for Minimally Invasive Disc Augmentation

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for treating intervertebral disc injuries and degeneration require large holes in the disc annulus, which weaken the tissue, increase surgical time and cost, and are not minimally invasive.

Innovation Solution

A method and system using an expandable spacing device that inflates within the disc to create a space for injecting biomaterials without removing nucleus pulposus, allowing for minimally invasive disc augmentation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a large hole is cut in the disc annulus to introduce the implant, then the implant can be implanted, but the annular tissue is weakened and surgical time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplant introductionVSAvoidannular tissue strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The implant is nested within a delivery catheter that is inserted through a small annular opening. The implant remains contained within the catheter during insertion, allowing it to pass through the annulus without requiring a large opening. The catheter acts as a protective sheath that enables the implant to be delivered through a minimally invasive approach.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The delivery catheter serves as an intermediary device that facilitates implant delivery through a small opening. The catheter mediates between the implant and the annular tissue, allowing the implant to be introduced through a minimally invasive approach while protecting the implant during insertion and enabling precise placement within the disc.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If a large hole is cut in the disc annulus to introduce the implant, then the implant can be implanted, but surgical time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplant introductionVSAvoidsurgical time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The implant is nested within a delivery catheter that is inserted through a small annular opening. The implant remains contained within the catheter during insertion, allowing it to pass through the annulus without requiring a large opening. The catheter acts as a protective sheath that enables the implant to be delivered through a minimally invasive approach.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The delivery catheter serves as an intermediary device that facilitates implant delivery through a small opening. The catheter mediates between the implant and the annular tissue, allowing the implant to be introduced through a minimally invasive approach while protecting the implant during insertion and enabling precise placement within the disc.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If nucleus pulposus is removed to create space for the implant, then the implant can be positioned, but tissue is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplant positioningVSAvoidnucleus pulposus tissue

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The implant delivery system extracts or removes the need for nucleus pulposus removal by delivering the implant through a catheter that can be positioned within the disc space. The implant is delivered through a small annular opening without requiring extraction of the nucleus tissue, thereby preserving the native disc structure while still achieving implant placement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The delivery catheter serves as an intermediary device that facilitates implant delivery through a small opening. The catheter mediates between the implant and the annular tissue, allowing the implant to be introduced through a minimally invasive approach while protecting the implant during insertion and enabling precise placement within the disc.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This approach minimizes tissue damage, reduces surgical time and cost, and enables effective disc augmentation by maintaining the integrity of the nucleus pulposus while providing support and repair to the disc.

Implementation Method 1

injecting a biocompatible material into the spacing device to expand the spacing device from the first deflated position to the second inflated position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectExpansion:

Data Source

PatentUS8133279B2Methods for treating an annulus defect of an intervertebral disc

Publication Date: 2012.03.13 WARSAW ORTHOPEDIC INC

AI summary

A system for treating an annular defect of an intervertebral disc is provided. The system comprises a cannula for accessing a nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc, an expandable spacing device, and a material delivery instrument. The expandable spacing device has a first deflated position and a second inflated position. The spacing device is sized to pass through the cannula when in the first deflated position and the spacing device has a predetermined shape in the second inflated position. The material delivery instrument is adapted to inflate the spacing device from the first deflated position to the second inflated position by injecting a biocompatible material into the spacing device. In another aspect, a method of treating at least one annular defect of an intervertebral disc is provided.