Expandable Vertebral Implant Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical implants for replacing bone structures, such as vertebrae or long bones, often require larger incisions and lack effective mechanisms for secure fixation and vascularization, which can hinder proper loading and bone growth.
Innovation Solution
An expandable medical implant with adjustable height, featuring a tapered outer member and a scalloped inner member, along with a locking element, allows for secure engagement with bone structures, preventing implant collapse and facilitating vascularization through strategically designed openings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an expandable implant is used to allow smaller incisions, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for expansion mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The implant utilizes a nested structure where the inner member with scalloped surface is received within the outer member. The locking element is nested within a receiving aperture in the locker member. This nesting allows the implant to be inserted in a compact state and then expanded to its functional configuration, reducing incision size while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant transitions from a static inserted state to a dynamic expanded state through the interaction between the tapered surface and scalloped surface. The locking element dynamically engages with the scalloped surface at different heights, allowing the implant to be inserted in a compact form and then expanded to provide structural support.
2Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to prevent implant collapse, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism operates autonomously through the interaction between the tapered surface and scalloped surface. As the inner member expands relative to the outer member, the locking element automatically engages with the scalloped surface at the appropriate height, providing self-locking functionality without requiring additional actuators or complex control systems.
3Reliability
If vascularization openings are incorporated to promote bone growth, then the biological integration is improved, but the structural strength may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The implant incorporates vascularization openings that create a porous structure, allowing bone ingrowth and vascularization. These openings are strategically designed to promote biological integration while maintaining sufficient structural strength through the overall implant geometry and material properties.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the implant is designed with adjustable height, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The implant achieves height adjustability through the dynamic interaction between the tapered surface and scalloped surface. The locking element can engage with different heights on the scalloped surface, allowing the implant to be adjusted to match the specific anatomical requirements of the patient while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
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 secure fixation, allows for smaller incisions, and promotes bone growth by maintaining desired heights and enabling compressive loads, thus addressing the limitations of existing implants in terms of stability and vascularization.
Implementation Method 1
The tapered surface may be movable relative to the locking element to transversely shift the locking element into engagement with the scalloped surface to inhibit a decrease in the overall implant height
Implementation Method 2
A compressive load may be supported from the bone structures on the inner and outer members, and the compressive load may cause the tapered surface to shift the locking element into engagement with the scalloped surface
Data Source
AI summary
An expandable medical implant for supporting bone structures is disclosed. The implant may include an outer member and an inner member receivable in the outer member. One of the outer and inner members includes a tapered surface and the other of the outer and inner members includes a scalloped surface. The implant may also include a locking element disposed between the tapered surface and the scalloped surface. The tapered surface may be movable relative to the locking element to transversely shift the locking element into engagement with the scalloped surface to inhibit a decrease in the overall implant height.