Intervertebral Implant Inserter Offset Impact Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional inserter tools for intervertebral implants, especially those made using additive manufacturing, often fail to withstand the impact forces required to position implants between vertebrae due to their lower tensile properties, leading to potential disconnection during the insertion process.

Innovation Solution

The design of an inserter tool with an offset member and impact surface support portion that aligns the impact force along the implant's longitudinal axis, minimizing the moment applied to the proximal end and allowing for compressive loading, thereby stabilizing the implant during insertion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If traditional inserter tools are used with implants made using additive manufacturing, then the implant can be inserted into the intervertebral space, but the implant may disconnect from the inserter tool due to lower tensile properties when subjected to impact forces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplant manufacturabilityVSAvoidconnection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of applying impact force in a direction that creates tensile loading on the implant-inserter connection (conventional approach), the patent inverts the approach by aligning the impact force with the longitudinal axis of the implant to create compressive loading. This inversion of the loading direction resolves the contradiction by making the connection more reliable while still enabling additive manufacturing of the implant.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of impact force direction from an oblique angle (creating tensile and shear components) to alignment with the longitudinal axis (creating purely compressive loading). This parameter change allows additive manufactured implants with lower tensile properties to withstand impact forces reliably, while maintaining ease of manufacture through additive processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the impact surface is positioned offset from the implant longitudinal axis, then the inserter tool can be operated, but a moment is applied to the implant that creates tensile and shear loading at the connection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinserter tool operabilityVSAvoidconnection strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces asymmetry in the inserter tool design by providing an offset member that is specifically configured to align the impact surface with the implant longitudinal axis. This asymmetric positioning of the impact surface relative to the inserter tool body eliminates the moment arm that would otherwise create tensile and shear loading, thereby preserving connection strength while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

3Strength

If a taller implant is used to improve vertebral construct strength and encourage bone growth, then more force is required to advance the implant into the intervertebral space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevertebral construct strengthVSAvoidinsertion force

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of force application by aligning the impact force with the longitudinal axis of the implant. This creates efficient compressive loading that advances the taller implant into the intervertebral space with minimal required force, while the compressive loading mode also maximizes the benefit of the increased implant height for vertebral construct strength and bone growth encouragement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This design enables the successful insertion of intervertebral implants by transferring impact forces compressively, reducing the risk of disconnection and improving control over the implant's placement within the intervertebral space.

Implementation Method 1

The impact surface support portion is configured to position an impact surface in alignment with the implant longitudinal axis to permit the impact surface to receive an impact force directed in the predetermined direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImpact force: Impact Force

Implementation Method 2

This positions the implant, especially implants made using additive manufacturing techniques, to absorb the impact forces without disconnecting from the inserter tool

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompressive loading: Compression

Data Source

PatentUS11517450B2Intervertebral implant inserter tool

Publication Date: 2022.12.06 XTANT MEDICAL HOLDINGS INC

AI summary

In accordance with one aspect of disclosure, an inserter tool is provided for an elongate intervertebral implant. The inserter tool includes a body and a distal end portion of the body configured to be connected to the elongate intervertebral implant to orient the elongate intervertebral implant so that a longitudinal axis thereof extends in a predetermined direction. The inserter tool includes an offset member extending from the body. The offset member has an impact surface support portion spaced apart from the body and configured to position an impact surface in alignment with the implant longitudinal axis to permit the impact surface to receive an impact force directed in the predetermined direction.