Expandable Spinal Implant with Flexible Driver

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current spinal implant designs are limited in flexibility and accessibility, particularly in procedures like thoracolumbar scoliosis and TLIF approaches, where orthogonal deployment is not possible, leading to risks of implant migration into the spinal canal and difficulties in adjustment or removal.

Innovation Solution

The development of expandable spinal implants with a flexible driver connected by a bendable joint, such as a helical high-torque spring, allowing for angular orientation and torque application to expand the implant, enabling more flexible positioning and expansion during surgery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an expandable implant is inserted using a PLIF approach, then the implant can be deployed, but the implant may extrude back into the nerves of the spinal canal and the height cannot be adjusted after insertion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplant stabilityVSAvoidadjustability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The implant is designed to be dynamic rather than static, allowing expansion after insertion. The implant transitions from a compressed delivery state to an expanded functional state, enabling height adjustment while maintaining stability through the expansion mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The implant is pre-compressed for insertion and then expanded after positioning. This preliminary compression allows the implant to be inserted in a compact form and then expanded to the desired height after it is securely positioned in the spinal canal

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If an orthogonal approach is used for implant deployment, then the implant can be inserted, but the approach is not possible for scoliosis in the thoracolumbar spine

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapproach flexibilityVSAvoiddeployment difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The driver-implant system allows dynamic repositioning during the procedure. The implant can be inserted at an initial angle and then repositioned to the final desired orientation, enabling adaptation to different surgical approaches including those required for scoliosis

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from a fixed orthogonal insertion path to multi-dimensional positioning capability. The implant can be inserted through a minimally invasive approach and then repositioned in multiple dimensions to achieve the correct final orientation for various spinal conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Force

If a rigid connection is used between driver and implant, then torque transmission is efficient, but the driver cannot be oriented at different angles during insertion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetorque transmissionVSAvoidangular orientation

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

A flexible connector with bendable joints connects the driver to the implant, allowing the driver to be oriented at different angles during insertion while maintaining the ability to transmit torque for implant expansion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible connector acts as an intermediary between the driver and implant, allowing angular misalignment while still transmitting the necessary torque. This mediator component enables both angular freedom and force transmission

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This solution provides greater flexibility and safety during spinal surgeries by allowing implants to be positioned and expanded at various angles, reducing the risk of migration and facilitating easier adjustment and removal, while enabling minimally invasive approaches.

Implementation Method 1

The connection between the driver and the implant includes a bendable joint, such as a helical high torque spring, that allows the implant and driver to move to different angular orientations with respect to each other, and to apply rotational force or torque from the driver to the implant and its expansion mechanism

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHelical spring: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS11039935B2Expandable spinal implant and flexible driver

Publication Date: 2021.06.22 GLOBUS MEDICAL INC

AI summary

Expandable spinal implants and drivers connected by a bendable joint are disclosed. The flexible connector allows the implant and driver to move to different angular orientations with respect to each other, and to apply rotational force or torque from the driver to the implant and its expansion mechanism. During insertion of an implant into the desired position, the driver may be oriented in the same or different direction than the long axis of the implant. After the spinal implant is placed in the desired position, the driver is used to expand the implant in selected dimensions.