Expandable Spinal Implant Segmentation and Dynamics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for spinal disorders such as degenerative disc disease and osteoporosis often fail to provide adequate stabilization and height restoration, leading to persistent pain and mobility issues, especially when non-surgical methods are ineffective and surgical interventions like fusion and fixation may not fully address the vertebral column's needs.

Innovation Solution

An expandable interbody implant system that includes a spinal implant with inflatable components, allowing for minimally invasive percutaneous techniques to stabilize and restore height between vertebral bodies, featuring a removable balloon that expands to engage vertebral surfaces and can be replaced with a bone growth-promoting agent for enhanced fixation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional fusion and fixation treatments are used, then spinal stabilization is achieved, but surgical complexity and patient trauma increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespinal stabilizationVSAvoidsurgical procedure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The implant is divided into multiple segments including upper body engagement features, lower body engagement features, and an expandable intermediate section. This segmentation allows the implant to be inserted in a collapsed state through minimally invasive approaches while achieving full stabilization functionality when expanded

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The intermediate section is configured to be received within the implant body in a collapsed state, similar to nested dolls. This nesting allows the implant to be delivered through small incisions while maintaining the capability to expand to full size for effective spinal stabilization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If traditional interbody implants are used, then vertebral bodies are stabilized, but height restoration is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevertebral stabilizationVSAvoidintervertebral height

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The implant transitions from a static traditional design to a dynamic expandable structure. The intermediate section can be inflated or expanded post-insertion to increase the overall height of the implant, thereby restoring intervertebral disc height while maintaining stabilization functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The physical parameters of the implant are changed after insertion through expansion of the intermediate section. This parameter change allows the same implant structure to provide both stabilization and height restoration by adjusting its volume and dimensional characteristics

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If open surgical approaches are used, then implant placement is secure, but patient recovery time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplant placement securityVSAvoidpatient recovery time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The segmented design with separate upper and lower body engagement features allows the implant to be delivered through minimally invasive percutaneous approaches while maintaining secure placement. The engagement features ensure proper positioning and stability without requiring large incisions or extensive soft tissue dissection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The implant system replaces traditional mechanical open surgical techniques with a minimally invasive delivery system. The expandable intermediate section provides mechanical expansion forces to achieve secure placement and vertebral body engagement without the need for open surgical exposure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 system effectively provides stabilization and height restoration, facilitating fusion and fixation treatments while allowing for minimally invasive procedures, addressing the limitations of existing treatments by enhancing spinal stability and promoting bone growth, thereby alleviating pain and improving mobility.

Implementation Method 1

A pressured fluid source is connectable to the balloon

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid pressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS8518114B2Expandable implant system and methods of use

Publication Date: 2013.08.27 WARSAW ORTHOPEDIC INC

AI summary

A spinal implant includes a first component including a first surface configured for engagement with a first vertebral surface and a second surface configured to define at least a portion of an implant support cavity. A second component is connected to the first component and includes a first surface configured for engagement with a second vertebral surface and a second surface configured to define at least a portion of the implant support cavity. A removable intermediate component is configured for disposal in the implant support cavity. The intermediate component is inflatable to move the first component relative to the second component to expand the interbody implant from a first configuration to a second, expanded configuration. At least one agent is configured to replace the intermediate component in the implant support cavity in the second configuration. Methods of use are disclosed.