Intervertebral Implant Anchoring Sections for Stable Core Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The permanent connection between a soft hydrogel core and rigid endplates in intervertebral implants is challenging due to the difficulty in achieving a stable interface, with existing solutions like porous structures being filled by the swellable material, which can impede bone ingrowth.
Innovation Solution
The use of elongated thread-like or rod-like anchoring sections that are freely accessible and completely embedded in the softer material, forming an intermediate link between the carrier and the core, providing a firm and permanent connection by surrounding the anchoring sections on all sides.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If porous structure is used to connect soft core material to rigid endplates, then connection is achieved, but the porous structure is filled by swellable material which impedes bone ingrowth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces thread-like or rod-shaped anchoring sections as intermediary elements between the soft core material and rigid endplates. These anchoring sections are freely accessible from all sides, allowing the soft material to surround and embed them completely, forming an intermediate link that connects the two materials permanently and firmly without blocking bone ingrowth pathways.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection interface is segmented into discrete anchoring sections distributed across the contact surface. Instead of a continuous porous structure, multiple separate thread-like or rod-shaped elements are used, which can be individually surrounded by the soft material while collectively providing stable connection and allowing bone ingrowth between and around them.
2Ease of manufacture
If partial area connection is used between core material and endplates, then some connection is achieved, but contact is not optimized across the entire surface
Solution Approach 1:
The anchoring sections are designed to be distributed over essentially the entire surface of the carrier, enabling the connection structure to function uniformly across the whole contact area rather than just in partial regions. This universal distribution optimizes contact between the core material and endplates while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
3Strength
If rigid connection structure is used between soft core and rigid endplates, then structural stability is achieved, but the soft material cannot fully surround the connection elements
Solution Approach 1:
The anchoring sections are designed as thin, flexible thread-like or rod-shaped elements that can be completely surrounded and embedded by the soft core material. Despite their flexibility and small cross-section, they provide rigid structural connection when anchored to the endplates, achieving both structural stability and full material integration.
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
This solution ensures a stable and secure connection between the core and endplates, allowing for bone ingrowth and maintaining structural integrity as the core absorbs water, enhancing the overall stability and integration of the implant.
Implementation Method 1
The hydrogel core consists of a swellable material that can increase in volume when it absorbs water
Implementation Method 2
The soft material surrounds these thread-like or rod-shaped sections on all sides because they are freely accessible from all sides, so the anchoring sections are completely embedded in the softer material and thus form an intermediate link between the carrier and the core material, which permanently and very firmly connects these materials to one another
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The implant has a core (7) and an installation unit with an installation surface (8), where the core is connected with the installation unit on a side that faces the surface. The installation unit has an end plate (5) that supports a projection on a side of the end plate, where the surface is arranged on another side of the end plate, and the projection is surrounded from a material of the core. The projection has an oblong, thread- or bar shaped anchorage section that runs in a distance from the end plate and is freely accessible.