Intervertebral Spacer Braid Clamping Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current intervertebral spacers require complex surgical procedures to detach and reattach the supra spinous ligament, causing mechanical property loss and prolonging surgery duration, and are not suitable for lateral insertion due to tall projections that lead to vertebral distraction.
Innovation Solution
An intervertebral implant with a braid clamping device featuring a fixed and mobile clamping surface assembly that simplifies the clamping and tightening process, allowing for lateral insertion by moving the mobile assembly between free and clamped positions using displacement means like screws, enabling secure fixation without excessive ligament manipulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional spacers with tall projections (at least 5 mm high) are used, then the spacer can be securely held in place, but vertebral distraction occurs which is unacceptable
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer is divided into a median portion and two end portions that extend orthogonally. The end portions are designed with reduced height (no more than 3 mm) compared to traditional tall projections, allowing lateral insertion without causing vertebral distraction while maintaining fixation reliability through the braid clamping system.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer design transitions from traditional axial access requiring tall projections to lateral insertion with low-profile end portions. The end portions extend orthogonally in a different dimension, enabling the braid to pass through from the lateral side without requiring excessive projection height, thus avoiding vertebral distraction.
2Ease of manufacture
If the supra spinous ligament is detached and re-sutured to fit the spacer, then the spacer can be installed, but the ligament loses its mechanical properties and surgery time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the ligament manipulation step from the installation process by using a lateral approach. The braid can be passed through the end portions without requiring detachment and re-suturing of the supra spinous ligament, thereby preserving ligament mechanical properties while maintaining installation ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The braid is pre-formed and positioned before spacer installation. The end portions are designed with preliminary openings that guide the braid into place, eliminating the need for post-installation ligament manipulation and suture operations.
3Reliability
If a double self-locking system is used to clamp the braid, then effective fastening is achieved, but the surgeon must manually clip the system onto the spacer body
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping device is merged with the spacer body as an integrated unit. The mobile assembly and fixed part form a unified structure where the braid clamping function is combined with the spacer installation, eliminating the need for separate manual clipping operations while maintaining effective fastening.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping device is designed to be self-actuating through the mobile assembly mechanism. Once the braid is inserted, the displacement means automatically engages the clamping surfaces to secure the braid, reducing the need for complex manual clipping operations while ensuring reliable fastening.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If lateral insertion is used to avoid vertebral distraction, then vertebral distraction is avoided, but the projections on either side of the housing must be of small height (no more than 3 mm)
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer is segmented into a median portion and two end portions with different functional characteristics. The end portions have reduced height (no more than 3 mm) to enable lateral insertion without vertebral distraction, while the median portion maintains the necessary structural integrity and braid engagement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the spacer have different projection heights optimized for their specific functions. The end portions have low height (no more than 3 mm) for lateral insertion, while the median portion has appropriate height for braid clamping and spacer stability, achieving local optimization without compromising overall performance.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an intervertebral implant comprising: a spacer (12); a braid (14) for fixing said spacer between the spinous processes of two adjacent vertebrae; and a clamping device for clamping said braid. The clamping device comprises: a fixed part (28) constituted by a portion of said spacer (12) and defining at least one first clamping surface for clamping said braid; a mobile assembly (28) movable relative to said spacer (12) and defining at least one second clamping surface for clamping said braid; and displacement means for moving said moving assembly (30) relative to said fixed part (28) to displace said mobile assembly between a first position in which said first and second clamping surfaces face each other but are apart to define a free passage for a portion of the braid (14), and a second position in which said first and second clamping surfaces are moved towards each other to clamp said portion of braid (14).