Implant Web Structure for Bone Growth and Load Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spinal implants with large rims impede bone growth, reduce the size of the bone column, and create stress risers in vertebral endplates, while their open channel designs hinder the securement of bone graft material.
Innovation Solution
An implant with a web structure featuring a space truss and an external truss, composed of planar truss units with struts joined at nodes, which provides support along multiple planes to bear tensile, compressive, and shear forces, and includes features such as lordosis to enhance bone integration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If large rims with solid material are used to provide contact area between implant and vertebral endplates, then contact area is improved, but bone growth is impeded and bone column size is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The implant rim is designed with a porous structure instead of solid material. This porous rim provides sufficient contact area with the vertebral endplates while allowing bone growth through the rim structure, eliminating the harmful effect of bone growth impediment that occurs with solid rims.
2Strength
If open channel design is used to provide support between vertebrae, then structural support is improved, but bone graft material securement is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The open channel is designed with a porous inner surface that provides structural support while creating mechanical interlocking features. This porous surface allows bone graft material to secure itself effectively within the channel, preventing the loosening and migration issues that occur with smooth open channels.
3Reliability
If high-pressure state is applied to bone graft material to prevent loosening, then bone graft material stability is improved, but difficulty in creating and maintaining high-pressure environment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The porous structure of the implant provides mechanical interlocking with the bone graft material, eliminating the need for high-pressure environments. The porous walls physically secure the bone graft material in place, preventing loosening and migration without requiring complex pressure maintenance systems.
4Force
If solid rim structure is used to bear compressive forces, then force bearing capacity is improved, but stress risers are created in vertebral endplates
Solution Approach 1:
The porous rim structure distributes compressive forces more evenly across the contact area with the vertebral endplates. This distributed load bearing prevents stress concentration and eliminates the stress risers that occur with solid rim structures, while maintaining adequate force bearing capacity.
Data Source
AI summary
In various embodiments, an implant for interfacing with a bone structure includes a web structure including a space truss. The space truss may have a plurality of struts joined at nodes and the web structure is configured to interface with human bone tissue. At least some struts may form an irregular pattern in the web structure. The space truss may include two or more planar truss units having a plurality of struts joined at nodes.