Expandable Spinal Implant with Nested Piston Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spinal interbody and intravertebral devices are static in size, making them unsuitable for microsurgery or arthroscopic surgery and limiting their adaptability to individual patient needs.
Innovation Solution
The development of an expandable implant with a top support assembly, a bottom support assembly, and a control assembly that allows the implant to be collapsed for easy insertion and expanded to fit specific spinal dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If static sized spinal devices are used to properly bridge the gap between adjacent vertebrae, then the device provides adequate structural support, but the device size becomes too large for microsurgery or arthroscopic surgery
Solution Approach 1:
The spinal device incorporates an expandable structure with movable components including a piston, cylinder, and bellows element that allow the device to transition from a compressed delivery configuration to an expanded deployed configuration. This dynamic capability enables the device to be small enough for minimally invasive surgery while providing adequate support when deployed
Solution Approach 2:
The device employs a nested structure where the piston is received within the cylinder, and the bellows element is contained within the cylindrical housing. This nesting allows the entire device to be compressed into a compact form for delivery through small incisions, then expanded to full size for spinal support
2Adaptability or versatility
If static sized spinal devices are used, then the device structure is simple, but the device cannot be customized to fit individual patient needs
Solution Approach 1:
The expandable mechanism with adjustable piston position allows the device to be customized to fit individual patient anatomical variations. The surgeon can control the expansion degree to match specific spacing requirements, providing customization without requiring multiple fixed-size device options
Solution Approach 2:
The device allows adjustment of the expansion parameter through controlled movement of the piston within the cylinder. This parameter change capability enables the same device structure to adapt to different patient needs by varying the degree of expansion rather than requiring multiple fixed configurations
3Ease of operation
If expandable interbody devices are used to allow easier insertion, then the device can be inserted through smaller incisions, but the device requires additional control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The nested structure of the piston within the cylinder and the bellows element within the housing allows the device to be compressed into a compact form for easy insertion through small incisions. The same nested structure provides the mechanical framework for controlled expansion after insertion
4Adaptability or versatility
If static sized devices are used, then the device structure is straightforward, but the device cannot provide adjustable spacing between vertebrae
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates dynamic components including a movable piston and expandable bellows that enable adjustable spacing between vertebrae. The piston can be positioned at different locations within the cylinder to control the degree of expansion, providing customizable spinal spacing
Data Source
AI summary
An expandable implant includes an upper portion configured to engage a first portion of bone, a bottom portion configured to engage a second portion of bone, a control assembly coupled to the upper portion and the bottom portion and configured to control relative movement between the upper portion and the bottom portion, wherein the control assembly includes a front portion and a control member, wherein the front portion has an aperture configured to receive the control member, wherein the control member includes a head, and wherein a portion of the head is positioned outside of the aperture as the implant is expanded between a first, collapsed orientation and a second, expanded orientation.