Intervertebral Implant with Integrated Sliding Anchors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal surgery techniques face challenges in providing stable and efficient fixation of intervertebral prostheses to bone, particularly in maintaining anatomically appropriate angles and promoting bony fusion while minimizing surgical complexity and post-operative complications.
Innovation Solution
The development of intervertebral prostheses comprising a spacer and a jacket with sliding anchors that securely attach to vertebral bodies, distributing loads and promoting bony fusion, with features such as dovetail slots and locking mechanisms to prevent migration and enhance fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional spinal fixation methods are used, then surgical procedures can be performed, but surgical time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the intervertebral prosthesis and fixation anchors into a single integrated device. The prosthesis body includes integrated fixation elements that can engage with bone structures, eliminating the need for separate fixation devices and reducing surgical steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The prosthesis is designed with multi-functional capabilities: it provides spinal spacing, load distribution, and fixation functions simultaneously. The device can adapt to different spinal levels and fixation requirements through its modular anchor system, reducing the need for multiple specialized devices.
2Reliability
If complex fixation mechanisms are used, then stable fixation is achieved, but surgical time and complications increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fixation anchors are pre-integrated into the prosthesis structure, with fixation features already positioned and configured before implantation. This preliminary arrangement eliminates the need for complex intraoperative assembly and positioning steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixation mechanism employs self-aligning and self-retaining features that automatically engage with bone structures upon implantation. The design includes self-locking elements and automatic positioning features that reduce the need for complex manual adjustment and secure fixation without additional surgical steps.
3Reliability
If separate fixation devices are used, then fixation can be achieved, but device complexity and surgical steps increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates fixation anchors and fixation features directly into the prosthesis body structure. The fixation elements are formed as integral parts of the prosthesis rather than separate components, reducing the total number of parts while maintaining fixation security.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for spinal surgery includes a prosthesis comprising a plurality of bone anchors which engage an intervertebral construct for fusion or motion preservation. The fusion construct comprises a spacer optionally encircled by a jacket. The motion preservation construct may comprise an articulating disc assembly or an elastomeric disc assembly. Any of the constructs may occupy the intervertebral disc space between adjacent vertebrae after removal of an intervertebral disc. The anchors slidingly engage the construct to securely fix the prosthesis to the vertebrae. The anchors and jacket of the fusion construct provide a continuous load path across opposite sides of the prosthesis so as to resist antagonistic motions of the spine.