Intervertebral Fusion Device Segmented Core Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intervertebral fusion devices face challenges in deploying larger sizes due to limited access and risk of blood vessel damage, especially in regions like L4/5 and L3/4, which restricts the scope for deformity correction and stability.
Innovation Solution
The design of an intervertebral fusion device comprising a superior component, an inferior component, and a core component, where the core component determines the height and allows oblique insertion, reducing the need for extensive blood vessel retraction and enabling a larger footprint for better bone contact and deformity correction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If an oblique lateral interbody fusion device is deployed with larger footprint to improve stability and deformity correction, then bone contact area and correction scope are improved, but insertion difficulty and risk of blood vessel damage increase due to limited access in L4/5 and L3/4 joints
Solution Approach 1:
The fusion device is divided into three separate components: superior component, inferior component, and core component. The superior and inferior components are inserted first to define the intervertebral space, followed by insertion of the core component between them. This segmentation allows each component to be smaller and easier to insert while achieving a larger overall footprint when assembled in situ.
Solution Approach 2:
The core component is inserted between the already-positioned superior and inferior components, effectively nesting the core within the space defined by the outer components. This nesting approach allows the core component to be inserted through a smaller access path while the final assembled device achieves a larger footprint for improved stability and deformity correction.
2Ease of operation
If anterior lumbar interbody fusion device is deployed in L4/5 or L3/4 joints, then access to intervertebral space is obtained, but extensive blood vessel retraction is required increasing damage risk
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of inserting a single large device that requires extensive blood vessel retraction, the invention inserts the superior and inferior components first to define the space, then inserts the core component between them. This inverted insertion sequence allows blood vessels to remain in their natural position during initial component placement, reducing retraction requirements and damage risk.
Solution Approach 2:
By segmenting the device into multiple smaller components that are inserted separately, the overall insertion trajectory can be optimized to avoid blood vessels. The superior and inferior components can be positioned with minimal retraction, and the core component is inserted through the already-defined space between them, reducing the need for extensive blood vessel manipulation.
3Reliability
If oblique lateral interbody fusion device size is limited for easier insertion, then blood vessel damage risk is reduced, but scope for deformity correction is limited due to insufficient room for higher correction angles
Solution Approach 1:
The invention resolves the size limitation by transitioning from a single-component approach to a multi-component assembly approach. The superior, inferior, and core components are inserted separately through limited access, but when assembled together they create a larger footprint device capable of greater deformity correction. This dimensional change in the insertion strategy allows both safety and versatility to be achieved.
Solution Approach 2:
The superior and inferior components are inserted first to preliminarily define the intervertebral space and achieve stable positioning with minimal blood vessel retraction. This preliminary action creates a safe framework that then allows the core component to be inserted between them, enabling the final assembled device to achieve larger footprint and greater deformity correction capability without compromising safety during insertion.
Data Source
AI summary
The intervertebral fusion device (200) comprises a superior component (220), an inferior component (240) and a core component (260). The superior and inferior components (220, 240) are received in an intervertebral space between first and second vertebrae whereby the superior component top side abuts against the first vertebra, the inferior component bottom side abuts against the second vertebra, and the superior component bottom side and the inferior component top side oppose each other. A height of the intervertebral fusion device is determined upon insertion of the core component (260) between the superior and inferior components (220, 240). Each of the superior component top side and the inferior component bottom side is one of: oblong having a major axis; and square, being bounded by four edges. During insertion of the core component (260) a first core profile of the core component cooperates with a superior component profile at the superior component bottom side and a second core profile of the core component cooperates with an inferior component profile at the inferior component top side whereby the core component moves in a direction oblique to the major axis where the superior component top side or the inferior component bottom side is oblong or to an edge of the superior component top side or the inferior component bottom side where the superior component top side or the inferior component bottom side is square.