Expandable Fusion Implant With Deployable Spikes Against Expulsion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing expandable fusion devices for spinal fusion procedures face a high risk of anterior expulsion due to the removal of the anterior longitudinal ligament, which normally prevents such expulsion, necessitating a device with anti-expulsion features.

Innovation Solution

The development of expandable interbody implants with integrated deployable retention spikes that can be deployed from the implant body to resist expulsion, featuring an actuator assembly and sidecar assembly to adjust height and lordosis, and optionally incorporating electronic components for autonomous operation and communication with robotic systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the anterior longitudinal ligament is resected to enable cage placement, then access to the disc space is improved, but the risk of anterior expulsion increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to disc spaceVSAvoidrisk of anterior expulsion

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The retention spikes are deployed in advance to create a preventive barrier against anterior expulsion. The spikes protrude into the disc space before cage expansion, actively counteracting the expulsive forces that will occur during and after implantation, thus preventing the harmful effect before it can manifest.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The high expulsive forces generated during cage expansion, which normally represent a harmful effect, are converted into a beneficial mechanism for spike deployment. The anterior longitudinal ligament resection that creates expulsion risk also enables the spikes to be pushed forward into the disc space, transforming the harmful force into a useful deployment mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Stability of the object's composition

If expandable cages are used to restore segmental lordosis, then sagittal balance is improved, but the risk of anterior expulsion increases due to increased axial forces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesagittal balanceVSAvoidrisk of anterior expulsion

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The cage is designed to be expandable, allowing dynamic adjustment of its height and lordotic angle. This enables the implant to adapt to different anatomical requirements and achieve optimal sagittal balance while distributing mechanical loads more effectively, reducing the concentration of forces that could lead to expulsion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Stability of the object's composition

If a high lordotic profile cage is used to correct sagittal imbalance, then segmental lordosis is improved, but the risk of anterior expulsion increases due to increased axial plane forces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesegmental lordosisVSAvoidrisk of anterior expulsion

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The expandable cage design allows for dynamic adjustment of the lordotic profile to match the specific anatomical requirements of each patient. This optimizes the distribution of axial forces and reduces stress concentration at the anterior aspect, thereby minimizing expulsion risk while achieving the necessary lordotic correction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of operation

If the anterior longitudinal ligament is released to facilitate cage insertion, then ease of implantation is improved, but the natural barrier against expulsion is removed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of implantationVSAvoidanti-expulsion barrier

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The retention spikes are extracted from the cage body and deployed into the disc space to create an independent anti-expulsion mechanism. This separates the implantation facilitation function (achieved through ligament resection) from the retention function (achieved through spikes), allowing both goals to be achieved simultaneously without conflict.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The retention spikes act as an intermediary element between the cage and the disc space. They transfer and distribute the mechanical loads while providing a physical barrier against expulsion, mediating the interaction between the implant and the biological environment to achieve both ease of implantation and reliable retention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12589009B2Expandable fusion device with integrated deployable retention spikes

Publication Date: 2026.03.31 GLOBUS MEDICAL INC

AI summary

Expandable fusion devices, systems, and methods. The expandable fusion device includes one or more integrated deployable retention spikes configured to resist expulsion of the device when installed in the intervertebral disc space. The implant may include upper and lower main endplates, an actuator assembly configured to cause an expansion in height of the upper and lower main endplates, and a sidecar assembly including a sidecar carrier, an upper carrier endplate pivotably coupled to an upper spike, and a lower carrier endplate pivotably coupled to a lower spike such that forward translation of the sidecar carrier pushes against the upper and lower carrier endplates, thereby deploying the upper and lower spikes.