Intervertebral Cage with Variable Volume Pouch for Anatomical Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current intervertebral devices are limited by their static nature, failing to optimally adapt to anatomical variations and provide stable contact with vertebral end plates, which hampers bone graft volume and surface contact optimization.
Innovation Solution
An intervertebral cage system that includes a deployment cable and a variable volume pouch, allowing the cage to expand and change dimensions along multiple axes, facilitating stable deployment and bone graft accommodation through a memory material and flexible connectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If current intervertebral devices are designed to be static, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability to anatomical variations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The intervertebral device incorporates a deployable structure that transitions from a compressed delivery configuration to an expanded deployed configuration. The body includes a first portion and second portion that can move relative to each other, allowing the device to adapt its dimensions to match anatomical variations in the intervertebral space while maintaining manufacturing precision through controlled deployment mechanisms.
2Adaptability or versatility
If intervertebral devices are made expandable, then adaptability is improved, but stability of contact with vertebral end plates deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs a controlled deployment mechanism where the first portion and second portion move relative to each other to achieve expansion. This dynamic structure allows the device to expand to the optimal size for anatomical fit while the deployment cable and locking mechanism ensure stable contact with the vertebral end plates by securing the device in its deployed configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
A deployment cable serves as an intermediary element that controls the relative movement between the first portion and second portion of the device body. The cable transmits force to deploy the device and can be locked to maintain the expanded configuration, ensuring both adaptability during deployment and stability once deployed.
3Ease of operation
If intervertebral devices lack rigid components, then ease of deployment is improved, but reliability of contact deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device body is designed with movable portions that can be deployed through the application of force via the deployment cable. The structure transitions from a flexible compressed state during delivery to a rigid expanded state upon deployment, ensuring ease of insertion while maintaining reliability of contact with the vertebral end plates through the locked deployed configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
An intervertebral cage and intervertebral cage apparatus and a method for using the intervertebral cage and/or the intervertebral cage apparatus. The intervertebral cage can be any desired material including a memory material. The intervertebral cage apparatus can include the intervertebral cage and one or both of a variable volume pouch and a deployment cable. The variable volume pouch can be inserted into an internal volume of the intervertebral cage and affixed to the intervertebral cage. The variable volume pouch can be filled with material to achieve an expanded state. The variable volume pouch can assist in the deployment of the intervertebral cage. The deployment cable can be attached to the intervertebral cage and can include features to facilitate that attachment. The deployment cable can apply a force to the intervertebral cage to deploy the intervertebral cage, and can include features to lock the intervertebral cage in the deployed configuration. An implantation tool can be used to apply force to the intervertebral cage to deploy the intervertebral cage.