Intervertebral Fusion Device Core Component Bone Graft Delivery
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intervertebral fusion devices face challenges in efficiently filling the space between the endplate of the device and the vertebra with bone graft material, leading to suboptimal fusion results.
Innovation Solution
The intervertebral fusion device comprises a superior component, an inferior component, a core component, and a closure component, with a bone graft conveying aperture defined in at least one of the superior or inferior components. The core component has a bone graft material holding space and a delivery opening, allowing for the ejection of bone graft material through specific apertures while resisting ejection through the side boundary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If bone graft material is injected into the intervertebral device after installation, then the device structure remains simple, but it is difficult to fill the space between the endplate and vertebra with sufficient and properly placed bone graft material
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into multiple functional components: a delivery opening for material injection, a holding space within the core component for material storage, and a conveying aperture for controlled material ejection. This segmentation allows precise control over bone graft material placement while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The core component is pre-configured with a bone graft material holding space and delivery mechanisms before device installation. This preliminary preparation ensures that bone graft material is properly positioned and delivered to the correct location between the endplate and vertebra, eliminating the need for complex post-installation adjustments.
2Manufacturing precision
If bone graft material is packed into the intervertebral device before installation, then bone graft material placement is improved, but it is difficult to provide sufficient and properly placed bone graft material in the space between the endplate and vertebra
Solution Approach 1:
The core component acts as an intermediary structure with an integrated holding space that temporarily stores bone graft material. This intermediary holding space ensures sufficient quantity of material is available and properly positioned for ejection through the conveying aperture to the target location between the endplate and vertebra.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a third dimension to material delivery by creating a vertical holding space within the core component that extends between the superior and inferior components. This dimensional addition allows sufficient material quantity to be stored and delivered precisely to the intervertebral space.
3Strength
If the core component is received between the superior and inferior components to define the side boundary, then device structural integrity is improved, but bone graft material may be ejected through the side boundary instead of through the conveying aperture
Solution Approach 1:
The core component is designed with differentiated local qualities: the side surfaces provide structural integrity and define the device boundary, while the top and bottom surfaces contain openings for material ejection. This local differentiation ensures material is ejected through the intended conveying aperture rather than through the side boundary, preventing material loss while maintaining structural strength.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an intervertebral fusion device 10 comprising a superior component 12, an inferior component 14 and a core component 16. The superior component 12 and the inferior component 14 are receivable in an intervertebral space between first and second vertebrae with the core component 16 insertable between the superior and inferior components to determine a separation between the superior and inferior components. A bone graft conveying aperture is defined in at least one of a superior component top surface 18 of the superior component and an inferior component bottom surface 20 of the inferior component. The core component defines a bone graft material holding space which is enclosed except at at least one of a core component top surface and core component bottom surface of the core component and a bone graft material delivery opening. The bone graft material delivery opening extends from outside the core component side to the bone graft material holding space. The bone graft material delivery opening is closed by a closure component.