Interspinous Vertebral Distractor with Segmented Locking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing interspinous vertebral distraction devices are complex, expensive, and suffer from low stability and difficult insertion procedures.

Innovation Solution

A percutaneous interspinous vertebral distractor with a base body designed to fit between spinous processes, featuring expandable locking units and a control mechanism for precise positioning and locking, facilitating easy insertion and high stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If mobile wings with complex locking mechanisms are used, then stability is improved, but device complexity increases and insertion difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoidcontrol kinematics complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The distractor is divided into a base body and separate locking units that can be independently controlled. Each locking unit has its own actuator, allowing independent expansion and locking actions. This segmentation simplifies the overall control mechanism while maintaining stability through modular locking actions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The locking units are designed to be dynamically controllable through actuators that enable expansion and contraction. The mobile wings transition from a contracted state during insertion to an expanded locked state for stability, providing dynamic adaptability throughout the procedure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If expandable locking units are used, then stability is improved, but insertion difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoidinsertion ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The locking units are designed in a contracted state during insertion to minimize profile and facilitate easy placement between spinous processes. After positioning, they expand to provide stable locking, thus resolving the contradiction between easy insertion and stable fixation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If precise positioning mechanisms are used, then positioning accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidcontrol mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The base body includes predefined engagement features and the locking units have corresponding receptacles that guide precise positioning. This segmented design with complementary geometric features achieves accurate positioning without requiring complex active control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4306066B1Interspinous vertebral distractor
Publication Date: 2025.04.09 DIAMETROS MEDICAL SRL
  • EP4306066B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4306066B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~7
  • EP4306066B1 patent drawingFigure 2b~2c

AI summary

An interspinous vertebral distractor (1) is provided, which is designed to be placed between two spinous processes and defining a longitudinal axis (1a), a sagittal plane (1b), and a frontal plane (1c); the distractor (1) comprises a base body (2) designed to be placed between the two spinous processes and defining a first end and a second end; an anchoring unit (3) designed to expand attaching the distractor (1) between two spinous processes; an actuator (5) designed to control the passage of the unit (3) between an expanded position and a contracted one; the base body (2) has a sagittal section with two opposing convexities so as to define a profile with two depressions (2a).