Intervertebral Fusion Implant With Integrated Screw Backout Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spine stabilization systems face complications such as loosening and failure of hardware, including breakage of plates and screw backout into soft tissues, due to insufficient bone purchase and rigidity, which complicates spinal fusion and stabilization.
Innovation Solution
An intervertebral implant system that integrates a spacer portion with a plate portion, featuring screw holes and a screw backout prevention mechanism, allowing for secure attachment to vertebrae with angled screws and a coupling mechanism to enhance stability and fusion, while being made from biocompatible materials like PEEK and titanium to promote bony ingrowth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate plating systems are used with spacers for spinal stabilization, then additional stabilization is provided, but hardware loosening and failure occur due to insufficient bone purchase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the spacer and plate into a single integrated intervertebral implant unit. The spacer body includes integrated screw holes that allow screws to pass through the spacer and engage the vertebral bodies, eliminating the need for separate plating systems while providing both spacing and stabilization functions in one component.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated implant serves multiple functions simultaneously: the spacer body maintains intervertebral disc space and promotes fusion, while the integrated plate structure provides additional stabilization. The screw holes in the spacer body enable direct bone anchorage, making the single device capable of both spacing and fixation functions that previously required separate components.
2Reliability
If screws are used for vertebral fixation, then spinal alignment is achieved, but screws back out into soft tissues due to insufficient purchase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from surface-level screw engagement to three-dimensional bone purchase. The screw holes are positioned to allow screws to pass through the spacer body and engage deep within the vertebral bodies, creating anchorage in multiple dimensions within the bone structure rather than relying on superficial attachment, thereby preventing screw backout.
3Strength
If rigid plating systems are used for spinal stabilization, then structural support is improved, but plate breakage occurs due to excessive rigidity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the structural parameters of the implant by integrating the plate directly into the spacer body with optimized thickness and material distribution. The integrated design allows for controlled flexibility while maintaining sufficient strength, preventing the plate from being overly rigid and prone to breakage while still providing adequate structural support for spinal stabilization.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides an intervertebral implant for implantation in a treated area of an intervertebral space between vertebral bodies of a spine. The implant includes a spacer portion having an inferior and superior surface, wherein the inferior and superior surfaces each have a contact area capable of engaging with anatomy in the treated area, and the inferior and superior surfaces define a through-hole extending through the spacer body. The present invention further provides screw holes extending from a side portion to the inferior and superior surfaces of the spacer portion and a plate portion coupled to the spacer portion through a coupling means, wherein the plate portion contains screw holes for receiving screws. A screw backout prevention mechanism adapted on the plate portion and prevents the back out of screws from the screw holes.