Hinged Spinal Spacer with Expandable Insert

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional spinal stabilization techniques require significant surgical skill and time, especially when inserting implants between vertebrae, as they often necessitate large incisions and removal of healthy bone to accommodate fixed-sized implants, limiting access and increasing procedural complexity.

Innovation Solution

A hinged spinal implant comprising a distractor and an insert body with pinioned support bodies that can be expanded in situ, allowing insertion through a small incision and accommodating bone graft or ingrowth for fusion, featuring tapered edges for ease of insertion and locking mechanisms to prevent overinsertion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If conventional fixed-sized implants are used, then the implant structure is simple, but the surgical procedure becomes complex requiring large incisions and bone removal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplant structureVSAvoidsurgical procedure

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The implant is divided into multiple segments that can be collapsed together for insertion and then expanded to the final configuration. The hinged distractor comprises an upper support body and lower support body that can be collapsed to a reduced profile for insertion through small incisions, then expanded in situ to provide the necessary spinal stabilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The implant transitions from a static fixed-sized design to a dynamic expandable structure. The hinged distractor can be collapsed to a reduced profile for insertion and then expanded to the final configuration, allowing the implant size to change during the surgical procedure rather than being fixed throughout.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If expandable hinged distractor is used, then surgical access is improved through small incisions, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical accessVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The upper and lower support bodies are configured to nest together in a collapsed state, with one structure contained within or adjacent to the other, allowing the entire hinged distractor to be compressed to a small profile for insertion through limited incisions before being expanded to the final configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Ease of manufacture

If bone graft material is removed to accommodate implant, then implant insertion is simplified, but healthy bone tissue is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplant insertionVSAvoidbone tissue loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9421111B2PLIF hinged spacer

Publication Date: 2016.08.23 ATLAS SPINE INC

AI summary

A spinal implant formed from a hinged distractor having an upper and lower support body that is hinged by use of pinions. An insert body is constructed and arranged to slide between the section to expand and maintain a space therebetween. The insert body includes a leading edge that is tapered to allow ease of insertion. A trailing edge that extends beyond a front edge of the upper support body will cause the insert body to be locked into position. A trailing edge engages the rear of the upper support body to prevent over insertion. A lower surface of the insert body may include locking surfaces.