Expandable Spinal Implant With Deflectable Segment Sequence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing expandable implants for applications like spinal surgery lack efficient mechanisms for adjusting the implant's size and orientation within the body, particularly in achieving precise tissue distraction and angular corrections.
Innovation Solution
An expandable implant design featuring a deflectable sequence of segments, where a bolt with a threaded shaft and a spherical bearing mechanism is used to vary the overlap between the base and the bolt, causing deflection of the segments. This design allows for both vertical and angular expansions, accommodating various intervertebral applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a deflectable linkage with multiple segments is used to achieve tissue distraction and angular correction, then the adaptability and versatility of the implant is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The deflectable linkage is divided into multiple segments (first segment, intermediate segment, second segment) connected by pivotal joints. This segmentation allows each segment to move independently, enabling complex motions like tissue distraction and angular correction while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure. The pivotal connections between segments provide the necessary degrees of freedom without requiring complex mechanical assemblies.
2Adaptability or versatility
If an intermediate segment is enlarged to provide contact surface for tissue distraction, then the functional capability is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate segment is enlarged specifically at the region where it contacts the tissue or bone, providing a larger contact surface area for effective distraction. This localized enlargement is confined to specific areas rather than the entire segment, allowing the rest of the segment to maintain simple geometric forms that are easy to manufacture. The pivotal joints and connection regions remain relatively simple in geometry.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a telescopic body with sliding engagement is used for expansion, then the adjustability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The expansion function is merged with the deflectable linkage mechanism. The telescopic body is integrated with the segment structure, and the pivotal connections serve dual purposes: enabling deflection of the linkage and facilitating expansion of the implant. This merging eliminates the need for separate expansion mechanisms, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining adjustability.
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
The implant effectively achieves axial distraction, lordotic correction, and scoliosis correction by allowing for precise adjustments in size and orientation, enhancing the versatility and effectiveness of expandable implants in spinal surgery.
Implementation Method 1
the last segment and the head define therebetween a spherical bearing such that rotation of the bolt about the central axis varies a degree of overlap between the base and the bolt, and causes deflection of the sequence of segments
Data Source
AI summary
An implant (100, 200, 300, 400) includes a base (10), and a sequence of at least two segments including a first segment (12) and a last segment (14). The first segment (12) is pivotally linked to base (10). Adjacent segments are interconnected at pivotal connections (18). A bolt (20) has a threaded shaft (22) and a head (24). The threaded shaft (22) is engaged in a threaded channel (26) of the base (10) so that rotation of the bolt (20) about a central axis of the threaded shaft (22) varies a degree of overlap between the base (10) and the bolt (20). The last segment (14) and the head (24) define therebetween a spherical bearing (28). Rotation of bolt (20) thus varies a distance between spherical hearing (28) and hinge pin (16), thereby causing deflection of the sequence of segments.


