Expandable Vertebral Spacer with Curved Nested Locking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical implants for replacing bone structures, such as vertebrae, often require larger incisions and lack effective mechanisms for secure fixation and vascularization, which can impede proper bone growth and loading distribution.
Innovation Solution
An expandable medical implant with a curved shape and adjustable locking mechanism, comprising a curved outer and inner member, and a locking element, allowing for expansion and secure fixation between bone structures, while promoting vascularization through apertures for bone growth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional fixed-size implant is used to replace vertebrae, then the implant can provide structural support, but it requires larger incisions and cannot adapt to varying anatomical dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The implant transitions from a static fixed-size design to a dynamic expandable structure. The inner member can move relative to the outer member along a curved path, allowing the implant to expand from a compact insertion state to a larger functional state within the vertebral space, eliminating the need for large incisions while providing adaptability to varying anatomical dimensions
Solution Approach 2:
The inner member is received within the outer member in a nested configuration during insertion. This nesting allows the implant to be inserted through a small incision in a collapsed state, then expanded to its full functional size once positioned, resolving the contradiction between small incision requirement and large functional dimension
2Length of moving object
If an expandable implant is used to reduce incision size, then smaller incisions are possible, but secure fixation and stable locking during expansion are challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element automatically engages with the tapered surface and scalloped surface during the expansion process. As the inner member expands relative to the outer member, the locking element is driven into the locking position by the geometry of the tapered and scalloped surfaces themselves, providing self-locking without requiring additional actuators or complex mechanisms, thus ensuring reliable fixation while maintaining the expandable design
Solution Approach 2:
The implant features a curved outer member and curved inner member that move along a curved path during expansion. This curvature is incorporated into the locking mechanism geometry, where the tapered surface and scalloped surface are shaped to guide the locking element along a curved trajectory into the locked position, ensuring stable engagement while accommodating the expandable motion
3Reliability
If the implant structure is made complex to achieve secure locking and expansion, then fixation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to be self-actuating through the expansion motion itself. The tapered surface and scalloped surface work together to automatically position and lock the locking element as the inner member expands, eliminating the need for separate locking actuators, sensors, or control systems. This self-service approach provides secure fixation while minimizing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The locking function is merged with the expansion function in a single integrated mechanism. The same curved motion that expands the implant from its nested insertion state also drives the locking element into engagement with the tapered and scalloped surfaces. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall device structure while maintaining reliable fixation
Data Source
AI summary
An expandable medical implant for supporting bone structures includes a curved outer member to cooperatively engage a first bone structure and a curved inner member configured to cooperatively engage a second bone structure. The curved inner member is receivable within and movable relative to the curved outer member along an arc bounded by the curvature of the curved outer member. One of the curved outer and inner members may include a tapered surface and the other of the curved outer and inner members may include a scalloped surface. The implant may include a locking element disposed between the tapered and scalloped surface. The locking element is movable between a locked position engaging the tapered surface and a roughened locking surface to inhibit a decrease in the overall height of the implant and an unlocked position permitting at least an increase in the overall height of the implant.