Foldable Spinal Implant Mesh for Intra-operative Autograft Retention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal implant systems for treating musculoskeletal disorders, such as degenerative disc disease and osteoporosis, often lack customization and effective delivery mechanisms for autologous bone grafts, leading to suboptimal stability and healing outcomes.
Innovation Solution
A spinal implant system featuring a foldable, resorbable porous mesh sheet with hook and loop fasteners that can be intra-operatively configured to deliver and retain autografts, providing customizable support and promoting bone growth through osteoconductive and osteoinductive properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a fixed-configuration spinal implant is used, then manufacturing and implantation are simplified, but customization capability and adaptability to different surgical needs are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The implant transitions from a static, pre-formed configuration to a dynamic, adjustable structure that can be modified intra-operatively. The mesh sheet can be folded, expanded, and reconfigured during surgery to match the specific anatomical requirements and surgical needs of each patient, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and customization capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant is divided into modular components including the mesh sheet, bone graft material, and fastening mechanisms that can be independently adjusted and assembled. This segmentation allows surgeons to customize the implant configuration during surgery while maintaining straightforward manufacturing of individual components.
2Reliability
If autologous bone grafts are used, then biocompatibility and healing outcomes are improved, but retention and precise placement at the surgical site become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible mesh sheet serves as a containment structure for the autologous bone graft material. This thin film structure allows the graft to be precisely positioned and retained at the surgical site while maintaining the biocompatibility advantages of autologous material. The mesh can be conformally placed to match the anatomical geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The mesh sheet acts as an intermediary between the surgeon and the bone graft material, providing a handle and structure for precise placement. The fastening mechanisms serve as intermediaries to secure the graft in position, making it easier to retain autologous material without compromising its biocompatibility.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a resorbable implant material is used, then long-term foreign body reaction is reduced, but structural strength and durability during the healing period may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The implant uses porous resorbable materials that provide both structural strength during the healing period and pathways for tissue ingrowth. The porous structure maintains mechanical integrity while allowing biological integration, and the gradual resorption reduces foreign body reaction over time as the implant transfers load to regenerated tissue.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant material properties change over time through controlled resorption, transitioning from a load-bearing structure to a gradually degrading scaffold. This parameter change allows the material to provide necessary strength initially while progressively reducing foreign body reaction as it is replaced by native tissue.
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 system enhances stability and healing by allowing precise placement and retention of autografts, facilitating bone growth and integration, thereby improving treatment outcomes for spinal disorders like degenerative disc disease and osteoporosis.
Implementation Method 1
providing customizable support and promoting bone growth through osteoconductive and osteoinductive properties
Implementation Method 2
providing customizable support and promoting bone growth through osteoconductive and osteoinductive properties
Implementation Method 3
a foldable covering including a first surface disposed with the agent and a second surface connectable with the first surface to intra-operatively dispose the covering in a selected configuration
Data Source
AI summary
A delivery system comprising an agent and a foldable covering including a first surface disposed with the agent and a second surface connectable with the first surface to intra-operatively dispose the covering in a selected configuration.