Expandable Spinal Implant Wedge Mechanism for TLIF
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spinal implants designed for the Thoracic and Lumbar regions have cumbersome mechanical mechanisms that require a large footprint, making them unsuitable for transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) and anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) surgeries, as they are not highly adjustable to accommodate varying spinal alignments.
Innovation Solution
An expandable spinal implant with a movable body between contracted and expanded positions, featuring superior and inferior endplates with ramped surfaces and screw guides, allowing for adjustable spacing between endplates through the use of wedges and set screws, enabling precise distraction and lordosis/kyphosis adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional mechanical mechanisms are used to separate endplates, then spinal stabilization is achieved, but the device requires a large footprint that is unsuitable for TLIF and ACDF surgeries
Solution Approach 1:
The wedge is nested within the implant body, allowing the expansion mechanism to be contained within the device itself rather than requiring external components. This nesting approach enables the mechanism to achieve endplate separation while maintaining a compact overall footprint suitable for TLIF and ACDF surgeries
Solution Approach 2:
The implant transitions from a static conventional design to a dynamic expandable structure. The wedge can be inserted and rotated to progressively expand the implant height, allowing the device to adapt its configuration intraoperatively while maintaining a small initial footprint for minimally invasive insertion
2Reliability
If conventional implants are used, then spinal stabilization is provided, but they are not highly adjustable to accommodate varying spinal alignments
Solution Approach 1:
The implant incorporates a dynamic expansion mechanism where the wedge can be rotated to different positions to adjust the implant height and lordosis angle. This allows the device to be highly adaptable to varying spinal alignments and patient-specific anatomical requirements while maintaining reliable stabilization
Solution Approach 2:
The implant allows for intraoperative adjustment of critical parameters including height, lordosis angle, and kyphosis correction. By changing the wedge position and rotation, surgeons can optimize these parameters to match the specific spinal alignment requirements of each patient, enhancing adaptability
3Adaptability or versatility
If expandable mechanisms are added to increase adjustability, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The expansion mechanism is merged with the implant body itself rather than being a separate add-on system. The wedge integrates with the endplates and support frame, creating a unified structure that reduces overall device complexity while maintaining high adjustability for spinal alignment accommodation
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 provides a highly adjustable solution that can be precisely expanded or contracted to accommodate different spinal alignments, facilitating effective spinal stabilization and fusion procedures with reduced surgical complexity and improved fit within the interbody space.
Implementation Method 1
the first inside surface may include first proximal ramps and first distal ramps disposed opposite the first proximal ramps
Data Source
AI summary
An expandable implant movable between a contracted position and an expanded position, is disclosed. In various embodiments, the implant may be defined by a superior endplate and an inferior endplate having proximal ramps and distal ramps disposed on an interior surface thereof, respectively. The expandable body may include a beveled hook portion at a distal end thereof. In various embodiments, upon rotation of a proximal set screw, a proximal wedge may act against the proximal ramps of the superior and inferior endplates and cause the implant to expand at the proximal end. Upon rotation of a distal set screw, a distal wedge may act against the distal ramps of the superior and inferior endplates and cause the implant to expand at the distal end. In some embodiments, both the superior and distal set screws may be rotated simultaneously.