Expandable Spinal Implant With Rotational Adjustment Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spinal interbody and intravertebral devices are static in size, making them difficult to position and requiring more invasive surgery techniques, which limits their use in minimally invasive procedures and outpatient surgeries.
Innovation Solution
Development of expandable implants with a base member and an adjustable member that can be rotated to change positions from a collapsed to an expanded state, allowing for customizable placement and easier insertion into the vertebral space, facilitated by control channels and control members that translate along a control shaft.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If static sized spinal devices are used to properly bridge the gap between adjacent vertebrae, then the device provides adequate support, but the device becomes large in size making it difficult to insert and requiring more invasive surgery techniques
Solution Approach 1:
The spinal device transitions from a static structure to a dynamic expandable structure. The device is inserted in a compressed state and then expanded within the vertebral body using an expansion mechanism (such as a balloon or mechanical expansion system), allowing it to achieve its final supportive size after insertion rather than requiring the full size for insertion.
2Strength
If static sized spinal devices are used, then the device provides structural support, but the device requires more invasive surgery techniques and longer surgery time to implant
Solution Approach 1:
The device is designed to be inserted in a low-profile compressed state that facilitates minimally invasive surgical techniques, then expanded to its functional size within the vertebral body. This dynamic transformation simplifies the implantation procedure and reduces surgical invasiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The device components are nested or collapsed into a compact configuration for insertion, similar to nested dolls, allowing the device to pass through smaller incisions and be implanted through minimally invasive approaches before expanding to its functional configuration.
3Length of moving object
If expandable devices are used to reduce device size for easier insertion, then the device can be inserted more easily, but the device requires additional control mechanisms and channels
Solution Approach 1:
The control shaft serves multiple functions: it provides the structural framework for the device, acts as the expansion mechanism, and serves as the guide for control members. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate control components and simplifies the overall device architecture despite the expandable capability.
Data Source
AI summary
An expandable implant includes a base member, an adjustable member adjustably coupled to the base member and movable between a first, collapsed position, and a second, expanded position, a control assembly including a control shaft, wherein manipulation of the control shaft causes relative movement of the adjustable member relative to the base member, wherein the base member and the adjustable member are coupled together at least in part via the control assembly such that the control shaft is rotationally fixed relative to the base member and the adjustable member, and the adjustable member is resiliently compressible relative to the base member.