Extendable Tab Bone Fusion Device Arthroscopic Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bone fusion devices require invasive surgical procedures, leading to long recovery periods and tissue trauma, as they necessitate large incisions and extensive muscle and nerve retraction.
Innovation Solution
A bone fusion device with extendable tabs that can be compactly inserted arthroscopically, featuring a rotating mechanism to extend tabs after insertion, providing additional surface area for bone fusion and stability, and incorporating features like conduits for bone graft material and texturing for enhanced bone growth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional bone fusion devices are inserted using invasive surgical procedures, then the device provides stable bone fusion, but the surgical trauma and recovery time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The bone fusion device incorporates extendable tabs that can be deployed after insertion to increase surface area and improve bone fusion stability. The device transitions from a compact insertion state to an expanded functional state, allowing minimally invasive insertion followed by in-situ deployment of stabilizing features.
Solution Approach 2:
The device features nested components including extendable tabs that are stored within the device body during insertion, and bone graft material contained within the device structure. This nesting allows the device to be inserted in a compact form and then deployed to provide enhanced stability and bone fusion surface area.
2Ease of operation
If the bone fusion device is inserted in a compact form, then arthroscopic insertion is enabled, but the surface area for bone fusion is initially reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The device dynamically changes its surface area by deploying extendable tabs after insertion. The tabs transition from a retracted position during insertion to an extended position after implantation, increasing the bone fusion surface area in-situ while maintaining ease of arthroscopic insertion in the compact state.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is prepared in a compact configuration with extendable tabs stored within the device body, enabling arthroscopic insertion. After successful insertion and positioning, the tabs are then extended to provide the necessary bone fusion surface area, separating the insertion phase from the functional deployment phase.
3Reliability
If extendable tabs are added to increase bone fusion surface area, then bone fusion stability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses a dynamic tab extension mechanism that allows the structure to adapt after insertion. The tabs are connected to the device body through a simple hinge or sliding mechanism that enables deployment without complex actuation systems, maintaining relative structural simplicity while improving bone fusion stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The extendable tabs are designed to be deployed using the existing insertion instrumentation or simple external manipulation. The device structure itself provides the mechanism for tab deployment, eliminating the need for complex separate actuation systems and reducing overall device complexity while still achieving improved stability.
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
Facilitates minimally invasive surgery with reduced recovery time by allowing arthroscopic insertion and expansion, promoting bone fusion through increased surface area and graft contact, thereby stabilizing the spine effectively.
Implementation Method 1
The extending blocks are moved by rotating a positioning element having externally threaded engagement with the bone fusion device. As the extending blocks are moved closer to the head of the positioning element, the extending blocks push the angled tabs outward
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A
Figure 3B
AI summary
A bone fusion device provides stability to bones during a bone fusion period. The bones include, for example, the vertebrae of a spinal column. The bone fusion device comprises one or more extendable tabs attached to the bone fusion device by associated rotating means. The bone fusion device is preferably inserted by using an arthroscopic surgical procedure. During arthroscopic insertion of the device, the tabs are pre-configured for compactness. In this compact configuration, the tabs are preferably deposed along and/or within an exterior surface of the bone fusion device. After the bone fusion device has been positioned between the bones, one or more tab(s) are extended. In the preferred embodiment, the position of each tab is related to a positioning element and extending blocks. Typically, the tabs advantageously position and brace the bone fusion device in the confined space between the bones until the bones have fused.