Flexible Space Holder With Recesses For Spinal Mobility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing space holders for vertebrae and intervertebral discs often require multiple parts and materials, increasing the risk of malfunction and complicating implantation, while also failing to provide adequate flexibility and mobility.
Innovation Solution
A flexible space holder made from a single type of biocompatible material with strategically placed recesses along a tube-like body, allowing for reduced rigidity and easy connection to adjacent body parts, which can be further enhanced with an elastic sleeve or core for adjustable elasticity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple parts and different materials are used to form space holders, then the desired flexibility and mobility functions are achieved, but the device complexity increases and the risk of malfunction at connection sites increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functional components into a single integrated space holder made of one piece of material. The tube-like body with recesses combines the flexibility function, mobility function, and structural support in one component, eliminating the need for separate elastic elements and connection parts that would increase device complexity and malfunction risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating recesses at specific locations in the tube-like body to provide flexibility and mobility only where needed. This allows the space holder to maintain rigidity in other areas for structural support, achieving diverse functions within a single unified structure without requiring multiple different materials or parts.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple parts and different materials are used to form space holders, then the desired flexibility and mobility functions are achieved, but the ease of manufacture decreases and implantation becomes harder
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single manufacturable component, simplifying the manufacturing process and implantation procedure. The one-piece construction with integrated recesses eliminates assembly steps and reduces the complexity of surgical insertion, making the space holder easier to manufacture and implant while maintaining the desired flexibility and mobility.
3Device complexity
If a single type of material is used to form the space holder, then the device complexity and malfunction risk are reduced, but achieving the desired flexibility and mobility becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves flexibility and mobility in a single-material construction by strategically placing recesses in the tube-like body. These local modifications create compliant zones that provide the desired flexibility and mobility functions without requiring multiple different materials or complex multi-part designs, thus maintaining low device complexity while achieving the necessary adaptability.
4Ease of manufacture
If a single type of material is used to form the space holder, then the ease of manufacture and reliability are improved, but the ability to provide diverse functions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves diverse functions including flexibility, mobility, and structural support within a single-material space holder by using strategically placed recesses. This local modification approach allows the space holder to provide multiple functions simultaneously while maintaining ease of manufacture and reliability, as only one type of material and a simple recess-forming process are required.
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 solution provides a stable, flexible, and easily implantable space holder with improved mobility and durability, reducing the risk of malfunction and enabling diverse application possibilities with a simplified design.
Implementation Method 1
a recess extending along its circumference in order to locally reduce the rigidity of the tube-like body
Implementation Method 2
which can be further enhanced with an elastic sleeve or core for adjustable elasticity
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention refers to a flexible space holder for temporary or permanent introdution into a human or animal body of at least one biocompatible, rigid material having a tube-like body (1), with one or more flexible areas being formed by material recesses mare provided for.