Foldable PEEK Spinal Implant Self-Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal implants used in minimally invasive surgery are difficult to expand post-implantation and lack sufficient surface engagement with vertebrae, leading to potential subsidence and inadequate support due to their mechanical expandable nature.
Innovation Solution
A foldable orthopedic implant with elastic hinges, preferably made from biocompatible materials like PEEK, which can be molded into an expanded position and self-deploy into a desired height upon release from a folded state, allowing for minimally invasive insertion and self-expansion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If mechanically expandable spinal implant devices are used to achieve small initial size for minimally invasive surgery, then the implant can be inserted through small incisions, but the device requires complex mechanical expansion mechanisms that are difficult to operate post-implantation and may not provide sufficient expansion force
Solution Approach 1:
The implant device utilizes its own elastic memory properties to automatically expand to the predetermined configuration after insertion, eliminating the need for complex mechanical expansion mechanisms. The elastic material inherently returns to its original shape, providing self-expansion functionality that is both simple to operate and reliable post-implantation.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant leverages the elastic properties of the material to change its physical state from a compressed, insertable form to an expanded, functional form. By utilizing the elastic memory of the material, the device transforms its dimensional parameters automatically after insertion, achieving the desired expansion without complex mechanical systems.
2Strength
If traditional spinal implant devices are used to provide structural support, then they can maintain spinal spacing and orientation, but they engage insufficient vertebral surface area leading to subsidence risk
Solution Approach 1:
The implant device is divided into multiple segments or panels that can independently engage with the vertebral surfaces. This segmentation allows the device to distribute its load across multiple contact points, increasing the total engagement area with the vertebrae while maintaining overall structural support capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant utilizes a three-dimensional expanded configuration with panels that extend in multiple directions, maximizing the surface area contact with the vertebral bodies. By transitioning from a linear to a multi-dimensional structure, the device engages a larger vertebral surface area while maintaining the necessary spinal support strength.
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 self-deployable implant effectively engages more vertebral surface area, reducing subsidence risk and facilitating easier surgical expansion, enhancing support and stability during spinal procedures.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic hinge connecting two portions of the orthopedic implant such that the two portions fold or bend relative to one another
Implementation Method 2
The orthopedic implant is preferably, but not necessarily, molded from a biocompatible elastic plastic
Data Source
AI summary
An orthopedic implant such as a spinal implant is made from a elastic biocompatible material (e.g. polyetheretherketone or PEEK) to provide a hinge that allows portions of the orthopedic implant to be folded into a closed position and to inherently deploy into an open position upon release of a folding bias. Hence, the orthopedic implant can accommodate a minimally invasive surgical procedure since the orthopedic implant can be introduced into the disc space in the closed position through a small-diameter insertion tube and then deploy to a particular height once the implant is released from the insertion tube (i.e. from release of the folding bias). The present implant is preferably, but not necessarily, made by injection molded PEEK. In this manner, the implant components are molded in the open position to cause the open position to be its innate position or form, thus allowing the implant to self-deploy (self-expand) when it is released from the folding bias.