Extravertebral Support Plate for Lateral Spinal Implant Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal implant technologies face challenges in positioning interbody implants within the disc space between vertebral bodies due to anatomical complexities, making it difficult to achieve stable fixation and fusion, especially with a lateral approach, which is hindered by the need for a larger surface area contact and stability issues with narrow implants.
Innovation Solution
A minimally invasive spinal implant assembly comprising an interbody implant and an extradiscal support plate that can be secured using recesses, spacers, or spacing portions on the plate, allowing for attachment to the vertebrae outside the disc space, facilitating a direct lateral approach and enhancing stability through increased surface contact and secure fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a lateral approach is used to insert the interbody implant, then certain critical anatomical structures are avoided, but the ability to insert the implant through a small portal and achieve desired support in the disc space becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The interbody implant is nested within the delivery system, allowing it to be inserted through a small portal and then deployed into the disc space. The implant is contained within a delivery catheter or sheath that guides it through the lateral approach while protecting surrounding structures, and then the implant is released from the delivery system into its final position.
Solution Approach 2:
A delivery system acts as an intermediary between the surgeon and the implant, facilitating insertion through a small portal. The delivery system includes components such as a catheter, sheath, or delivery device that guides the implant through the lateral approach and into the disc space, enabling minimally invasive placement while maintaining control over implant positioning.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the surface area contact between the implant and the hard cortical bone of the endplate is increased, then the implant stability is improved, but the implant may become too large for minimally invasive insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The implant system is segmented into multiple components: a smaller interbody implant for disc space placement and a separate support plate for attachment to the vertebral bodies. The interbody implant can be inserted through a small portal, while the support plate provides the necessary surface area contact with the vertebral endplates to ensure stability. The two components work together to achieve both minimally invasive insertion and stable fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The support plate extends in a dimension perpendicular to the disc space, providing additional surface area contact with the vertebral endplates without increasing the profile of the interbody implant in the disc space. This dimensional extension allows the implant to achieve stable fixation through the plate's contact with the vertebral bodies while maintaining a compact interbody component that can be inserted through a small portal.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the trailing end of the interbody implant is positioned in various locations relative to the adjacent vertebral bodies, then adaptability to different anatomical variations is improved, but the difficulty of attaching a plate to the implant and to the adjacent vertebral bodies increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support plate is designed with universal attachment features that can accommodate the interbody implant in various positions relative to the vertebral bodies. The plate includes multiple attachment points, recesses, or engagement features that can interface with the implant regardless of its specific positioning within the disc space. This universal design allows the same plate construct to be used with implants positioned in different locations, simplifying the attachment process despite anatomical variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment mechanism between the support plate and the interbody implant incorporates dynamic elements such as adjustable screws, expandable anchors, or flexible connection features that can adapt to different implant positions. These dynamic features allow the plate to be securely attached to the implant regardless of whether the trailing end is positioned recessed, flush, or overhanging relative to the vertebral bodies, providing versatility while maintaining ease of attachment.
Data Source
AI summary
An implant assembly for a spinal column includes at least a plate and an interbody implant attached to the plate. The interbody implant is positioned in the spinal disc space and the plate extends extradiscally for attachment to the first and second vertebrae outside the disc space. The assembly may include recesses in the bottom surface of the plate, spacers, and spacing portions extending from the bottom surface of the plate that allow the plate to be secured to the interbody implant when the trailing end of the interbody implant is positioned in a recessed, flush or overhanging position relative to the laterally facing surfaces of the vertebrae.