Radially Expandable Spinal Interbody Device with Pivoting Linkages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal interbody devices face challenges in achieving optimal surface engagement with vertebrae, leading to potential subsidence due to their size and weight, and require larger incisions for implantation, which can complicate surgical procedures and recovery.
Innovation Solution
A radially expandable spinal interbody device made from biocompatible materials like titanium or stainless steel, featuring arced, pivoting linkages that collapse for minimally invasive insertion and expand to mimic vertebral anatomy, ensuring maximum surface contact and stability while maintaining a small profile for delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the interbody device is made larger to provide better support and reduce subsidence, then stability and surface engagement improve, but the device requires larger incisions for implantation and becomes more difficult to insert minimally invasively
Solution Approach 1:
The interbody device is divided into multiple segments or sections that can be collapsed together for insertion and then separated/expanded at the implantation site. This segmentation allows the device to be delivered through a small incision in a compressed state and then expanded to its full size for optimal surface engagement and stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The device transitions from a static small profile for delivery to a dynamic expanded state for implantation. The expandable structure allows the device to change its dimensions, providing a small cross-section for minimal invasive insertion and then expanding to provide maximum surface contact and stability within the vertebral body.
2Ease of operation
If the device is made smaller for minimally invasive surgery, then incision size and surgical complexity reduce, but surface engagement and stability decrease leading to potential subsidence
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs a nested configuration where the expandable structure is contained within a delivery system. The interbody device is compressed or nested within a delivery catheter or expansion tool, allowing it to pass through a small incision and then be deployed to its full expanded size for optimal stability and surface engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The device transitions from a static small profile for delivery to a dynamic expanded state for implantation. The expandable structure allows the device to change its dimensions, providing a small cross-section for minimal invasive insertion and then expanding to provide maximum surface contact and stability within the vertebral body.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the device is delivered in a collapsed state through small incisions, then surgical trauma and recovery time reduce, but the device must be expanded after implantation requiring additional instrumentation and steps
Solution Approach 1:
The device is designed with self-expanding characteristics where the expansion mechanism is inherently part of the device structure. Once deployed from the delivery system, the device automatically expands or can be easily expanded using simple instrumentation, reducing the complexity of additional steps and specialized tools required during the surgical procedure.
Data Source
AI summary
A radially expandable spinal interbody device for implantation between adjacent vertebrae of a spine is deliverable to an implant area in a radially collapsed state having minimum radial dimensions and once positioned is then radially expandable through and up to maximum radial dimensions. The expanded radially expandable spinal interbody device is configured to closely mimic the anatomical configuration of a vertebral face. The radially expandable spinal interbody device is formed of arced, pivoting linkages that allow transfiguration from the radially collapsed minimum radial dimensions through and up to the radially expanded maximum radial dimensions once deployed at the implant site (i.e. between adjacent vertebrae). The pivoting linkages have ends with locking features that inhibit or prevent overextension of the linkages. In one form of the locking features, one end of the linkage includes lobes that form a pocket while the other end of the linkage includes a projection that is adapted to be received in the pocket of the lobes of an adjacent linkage. A kit is also provided including a tool for the implantation and deployment of the spinal interbody device into an intervertebral space.