Intervertebral Fusion Device Segmented Fingers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intervertebral fusion devices are complex, which can lead to difficulties in assembly, installation, and disassembly, compromising ease of use and long-term reliability, and posing risks to patients due to material wear and loss of spinal correction.
Innovation Solution
An intervertebral fusion device comprising at least one endplate, a core component, and first and second fingers with recesses, designed for easy assembly and retention within the intervertebral space, utilizing a spring bias mechanism to secure the core component relative to the endplate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If known intervertebral devices are designed with complex structures to address differing extents of disc removal, anatomy, and spinal deformity, then adaptability and versatility are improved, but device complexity increases which compromises ease of assembly, installation, and disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The intervertebral device is divided into separate components including endplates, core components, and fingers that can be assembled and disassembled independently. This segmentation allows for easier assembly and disassembly while maintaining the ability to address different spinal conditions through component selection and configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The fingers are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing them to flex and adapt during insertion and to different positions during operation. This dynamic design simplifies assembly and installation procedures while maintaining the device's ability to accommodate varying spinal anatomies and deformities.
2Adaptability or versatility
If known intervertebral devices are designed with complex structures to provide adjustment of height and functional spine unit angle, then adaptability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses separable components (endplates, core components, fingers) that can be independently assembled and adjusted. This segmentation enables height and angle adjustments through simple component arrangement rather than complex mechanisms, improving ease of operation while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The fingers are designed to self-align and self-retain the core component through their flexible nature and geometric configuration, eliminating the need for complex adjustment mechanisms. The fingers automatically adapt to different heights and angles through their flexibility, simplifying operation while maintaining versatility.
3Reliability
If known intervertebral devices use complex retention mechanisms, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases which compromises long-term reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The fingers provide retention through their inherent flexibility and geometric configuration, creating a self-retaining mechanism that secures the core component without requiring additional complex retention structures. The fingers naturally maintain position through their elastic properties, improving reliability while keeping the mechanism simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The fingers utilize elastic deformation and flexibility as key parameters to provide retention. By changing their shape and configuration through elastic deformation during insertion and operation, the fingers maintain secure retention of the core component without complex mechanisms, improving reliability while minimizing complexity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If known intervertebral devices have complex structures, then adaptability to different spinal conditions is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device is manufactured as separate components (endplates, core components, fingers) that can be produced using standard manufacturing processes. This segmentation simplifies manufacturing compared to monolithic complex structures, while still allowing the device to address different spinal conditions through various component configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The fingers are designed as flexible, simple structures that can be manufactured using straightforward processes, rather than complex rigid mechanisms. This dynamic finger design maintains adaptability to different spinal anatomies while significantly improving ease of manufacture through simpler manufacturing requirements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device facilitates easier assembly and installation, enhances long-term reliability, and reduces the risk of material wear and spinal correction loss, while providing a secure retention mechanism for the core component.
Implementation Method 1
under spring bias exerted by the first and second fingers to thereby retain the core component relative to the endplate
Implementation Method 2
each of the first and second fingers extends in the direction of insertion of the core component towards a posterior end of the endplate and is unattached along its length except at its proximal end whereby the finger flexes along its length
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an intervertebral fusion device. The intervertebral fusion device comprises at least one endplate configured to be received in an intervertebral space defined between first and second vertebrae and a core component configured to engage with the at least one endplate when the at least one endplate is in the intervertebral space and the core component is inserted into the intervertebral space. The intervertebral fusion device also comprises first and second fingers and first and second recesses. A proximal end of each of the first and second fingers is attached to the endplate at or adjacent an anterior end of the endplate that first receives the core component when the core component is inserted into the intervertebral space. Each of the first and second fingers extends in the direction of insertion of the core component towards a posterior end of the endplate and is unattached along its length except at its proximal end whereby the finger flexes along its length. The first and second fingers are spaced apart from each other in a transverse direction which is orthogonal to a direction of insertion of the core component and to a direction of separation of the first and second vertebrae. The first finger defines a first protrusion at a distal end thereof and the second finger defines a second protrusion at a distal end thereof, each protrusion protruding from the respective finger in the transverse direction. The core component defines the first and second recesses near a posterior end of the core component, the first and second recesses spaced apart from each other in the transverse direction. The core component bears against the first and second protrusions during a first stage of insertion to flex the first and second fingers in the transverse direction, and during a second stage of insertion after the first stage of insertion the first and second protrusions are received in the first and second recesses respectively and under spring bias exerted by the first and second fingers to thereby retain the core component relative to the endplate.