Expandable Spinal Construct Single Posterior Approach

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current surgical treatments for spinal disorders, such as degenerative disc disease and osteoporosis, often require invasive procedures and result in prolonged surgery times and increased morbidity for patients, with existing implant systems failing to provide adequate mechanical support and stability.

Innovation Solution

A spinal construct system comprising expandable endplates and vertebral body replacement (VBR) devices, which are pre-placed and fixed with posterior screws, allowing for in-situ assembly and expansion to provide enhanced mechanical support and stability through a single posterior approach, reducing surgery time and morbidity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional spinal fusion and fixation treatments are performed with multiple approaches, then adequate mechanical support and stability are achieved, but surgery time increases and patient morbidity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical support and stabilityVSAvoidsurgery time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple surgical functions (decompression, stabilization, and fusion) into a single integrated construct that can be implanted through one posterior approach. The spinal construct integrates the endplates, expandable member, and stabilization elements into one unified system, eliminating the need for separate anterior and posterior procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The spinal construct serves multiple functions simultaneously: the endplates provide vertebral body replacement and load distribution, the expandable member provides decompression and structural support, and the integrated stabilization elements provide fixation. This multi-functional design replaces what previously required multiple separate implants and procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If traditional spinal fusion and fixation treatments are performed with multiple approaches, then adequate mechanical support and stability are achieved, but patient morbidity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical support and stabilityVSAvoidpatient morbidity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The construct is divided into functional segments (endplates, expandable member, stabilization elements) that can be independently optimized but work together as a unified system. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while contributing to overall mechanical support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If existing implant systems are used, then spinal disorders are treated, but adequate mechanical support and stability are not provided

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment implementationVSAvoidmechanical support and stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The spinal construct utilizes composite material properties combining the rigidity of metallic stabilization elements with the expandability and adaptability of the expandable member, and the load-distributing characteristics of the endplates. This composite structure provides superior mechanical support compared to single-material implant systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The expandable member provides dynamic adaptability, allowing the construct to be adjusted intraoperatively to achieve optimal fit and mechanical support. The expandability feature enables the implant to adapt to varying vertebral body dimensions and pathological conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Productivity

If a single posterior approach is used with expandable endplates and VBR devices, then surgery time decreases and patient morbidity is minimized, but adequate mechanical support and stability must be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgery timeVSAvoidmechanical support and stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The endplates are pre-formed with integrated stabilization elements and the expandable member is pre-loaded, allowing for rapid assembly and deployment during surgery. This preliminary preparation enables the complex construct to be implanted efficiently through a single approach without compromising mechanical support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10537437B2Spinal construct and method

Publication Date: 2020.01.21 WARSAW ORTHOPEDIC INC

AI summary

A spinal construct includes a first endplate that is configured to engage a first vertebral surface. An expandable member is connected with the first endplate and includes a mating element. A second endplate is configured to engage a second vertebral surface and includes an in-situ guide surface engageable with the mating element to connect the member with the second endplate. Systems and methods are disclosed.