Flexible Spinal Implant with Segmented Hinges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spinal implants face challenges in securely contacting adjacent vertebral members due to the curvature of the spine and varying shapes of vertebral anatomy, making it difficult to achieve stable implantation and adequate contact within the intervertebral space.
Innovation Solution
The development of flexible spinal implants with multiple sections that are pivotally attached at pivot axes, allowing for adjustable shape conformity to the spinal anatomy, facilitating secure contact and alignment with vertebral members. These implants include receptacles for bone growth material and a hinge mechanism that enables flexible positioning and insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid spinal implant is used, then structural strength is improved, but adaptability to spinal curvature and vertebral anatomy is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The implant is divided into multiple rigid sections connected by hinge mechanisms, allowing each section to maintain structural strength while the overall implant can adapt to spinal curvature through the articulated joints between sections
Solution Approach 2:
The implant transitions from a completely rigid structure to a dynamic articulated structure with hinges that allow relative movement between sections, enabling the implant to conform to the natural curvature of the spine while maintaining structural integrity
2Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible implant with multiple pivotable sections is used, then adaptability to spinal anatomy is improved, but device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The implant is segmented into multiple sections connected by hinges, where each section can be manufactured as a simpler component rather than one complex custom-shaped implant, reducing manufacturing complexity while improving adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge mechanism serves multiple functions: it allows adaptation to spinal curvature, facilitates insertion through compact packaging, and enables the implant to accommodate various vertebral anatomies, reducing the need for multiple different implant designs
3Ease of operation
If sections are pivotally attached with hinges, then ease of insertion is improved, but reliability of bone growth material containment is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The receptacle for bone growth material is contained within a single rigid section rather than spanning multiple articulated joints, eliminating the risk of material displacement due to hinge movement while maintaining ease of insertion through the articulated design
Solution Approach 2:
The receptacle containing bone growth material is nested within the hollow body of a single implant section, providing secure containment while the external hinge mechanisms allow flexible positioning during insertion
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 flexible design allows for secure implantation and accommodation of the spinal curvature, enhancing contact with vertebral members, reducing pain, and promoting bone fusion, while maintaining the shape of receptacles to hold bone growth material during flexing.
Implementation Method 1
Hinges may pivotally join together the sections in an end-to-end and articulating arrangement. Each of the hinges may connect together two of the sections.
Data Source
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AI summary
A spinal implant for positioning in a space formed between vertebral members. The implant includes a number of sections that are pivotally attached together at pivot axes. The pivot axes include connectors that extend through at least a portion of the sections and are configured for the sections to be pivotally attached for the implant to be flexible to facilitate insertion into the space and to be configurable to the space. One of the sections may include a receptacle that is contained within the section. The receptacle has a fixed size and shape that holds bone growth material. The fixed size and shape of the receptacle prevents the bone growth from escaping during flexing of the implant.