Intervertebral Implant Radial Teeth Expulsion Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spinal implants fail to effectively stabilize vertebral members and prevent expulsion after insertion, leading to pain and loss of motion due to damage from trauma, degenerative conditions, or infection.
Innovation Solution
Intervertebral implants with radial teeth on inferior and superior surfaces that resist expulsion by being arranged in a radial pattern, potentially in an annular or wedge-shaped design with a central opening, and a tapered section to distract vertebral members during insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional spinal implants are used, then the procedure can be performed, but the implants fail to effectively stabilize vertebral members and prevent expulsion
Solution Approach 1:
The implant surface is segmented into multiple radial teeth arranged in concentric circles, with each tooth acting as an independent anchoring element. This segmentation allows the implant to resist expulsion forces from multiple directions simultaneously, improving overall stability without increasing the risk of expulsion.
Solution Approach 2:
The teeth are arranged radially in concentric circular patterns on the implant surface, utilizing angular and radial dimensions to create anchoring points distributed across the entire surface. This two-dimensional radial arrangement provides multi-directional resistance to expulsion forces, transforming a simple planar surface into a multi-functional anchoring structure.
2Reliability
If the implant is designed to prevent expulsion, then stability is improved, but the complexity of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex expulsion prevention function is achieved through segmentation into multiple simple radial teeth. Each tooth is a simple protruding element, but the collective arrangement of multiple teeth in concentric circles creates comprehensive multi-directional anchoring, distributing the complexity across many simple, manufacturable components.
Solution Approach 2:
The radial arrangement utilizes the angular dimension to create multiple anchoring points without adding significant structural complexity. The concentric circular pattern allows teeth to be positioned at various radii and angles, providing comprehensive coverage with a systematic, repeatable manufacturing process that does not substantially increase device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The present application is directed to intervertebral implants including teeth arranged in a radial pattern to resist expulsion in multiple directions. The teeth may include a variety of shapes and orientations. In one embodiment, the implant includes an annular shape with a central opening. The implant may further be tapered along a section or entirety of an insertion edge to distract the adjacent vertebral members upon insertion of the implant into the intervertebral space.