Spinal Fusion Cage Insertion With Extendable Tabs Against Slippage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fusion cage technologies for vertebrae face challenges in retaining bone graft material and maintaining proper positioning during minimally invasive surgical procedures, leading to prolonged recovery times and potential slippage.
Innovation Solution
A bone fusion system with extendable plates and a coupling mechanism, utilizing an insertion instrument to securely position a bone fusion device between vertebrae, ensuring precise placement and stabilization through extendable tabs that resist torsional forces, allowing for minimally invasive surgery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional fusion cages are used, then bone graft material can be retained, but the device may slip during minimally invasive procedures and require prolonged recovery time
Solution Approach 1:
The fusion device incorporates extendable tabs that can transition from a compressed insertion configuration to an extended stabilization configuration. During minimally invasive insertion, the tabs are compressed to fit through small incisions, then extended post-insertion to engage with the vertebrae and provide enhanced positioning stability, thereby reducing both slippage risk and recovery time
Solution Approach 2:
The fusion device is divided into modular components including the main body and separate extendable tabs. This segmentation allows the tabs to be independently controlled and extended after insertion, providing progressive stabilization without requiring prolonged surgical exposure or extensive recovery periods
2Reliability
If fusion cages with threaded surfaces are used, then the cage can be secured to vertebrae, but bone graft material retention remains difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The fusion device incorporates a porous coating on its surface that provides both mechanical attachment strength through micro-engagement with the vertebrae and numerous retention sites for bone graft material. The porous structure increases surface area and creates capillary action that helps retain bone graft material while maintaining strong attachment
3Object-affected harmful factors
If minimally invasive procedures are used, then trauma is reduced, but precise placement and stabilization of the bone fusion device becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces a specialized insertion instrument as an intermediary tool that interfaces with the fusion device during minimally invasive procedures. This instrument provides precise control and positioning mechanisms, including alignment features and controlled deployment mechanisms, enabling accurate device placement through small incisions without requiring extensive surgical exposure
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the bone fusion device is made compact for minimally invasive insertion, then surgical trauma is reduced, but the device's ability to resist torsional forces is weakened
Solution Approach 1:
The fusion device employs dynamically extendable tabs that transition from a compact compressed state during insertion to an extended stabilized state after placement. In the extended state, the tabs increase the device's moment of inertia and engagement surface area with the vertebrae, significantly enhancing torsional resistance while maintaining minimal surgical trauma during insertion
Data Source
AI summary
A bone fusion method, system and device for insertion between bones that are to be fused together and/or in place of one or more of the bones, such as, for example, the vertebrae of a spinal column. The bone fusion device comprises one or more extendable tabs having a central rib. The bone fusion device includes one or more support channels configured to receive an insertion instrument that is then secured to the bone fusion device via a coupling mechanism. As a result, the coupled device is able to be securely positioned between vertebrae using the insertion instrument with minimal risk of slippage.