Lockable Interbody Fusion Implant for Spinal Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current interbody fusion implants for spinal surgery face challenges in safely accessing the lumbar spine due to the risk of neural and vascular structure injury, and inefficiencies in preparing the disc space and packing fusion promoting materials, particularly during lateral access surgery.
Innovation Solution
A novel interbody fusion implant system comprising two lockable members - a base member and a closure member - where the base member is inserted first, allowing for aggressive endplate preparation and packing of fusion materials within the interbody space, reducing the risk of injury and improving fusion efficiency by providing structural support and optimal sizing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single-piece interbody implant is used, then the implant provides structural support, but the risk of injury to neural and vascular structures increases during insertion and the efficiency of endplate preparation and fusion material packing decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The implant is divided into two separate members: a base member that remains in the interbody space and a closure member that is inserted first and removed later. This segmentation allows the base member to be pre-filled with fusion materials while the closure member provides a protected pathway for safe insertion and efficient endplate preparation, resolving the contradiction between safety and productivity
2Ease of manufacture
If fusion promoting substances are packed into the implant before insertion, then the implant is ready for fusion, but the substances can become loosened or dislodged during introduction requiring more time to achieve fusion
Solution Approach 1:
The base member is pre-filled with fusion promoting substances before insertion into the interbody space. The closure member is then inserted over the base member, protecting the pre-packed materials during insertion. This preliminary action ensures the implant is ready for fusion while preventing material displacement, eliminating the time loss associated with re-packing
3Ease of operation
If the closure member is selected before implantation, then the sizing process is simplified, but the optimal sizing for restoration of disc height and vertebral alignment cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The closure member is designed to be selectable in multiple sizes and is chosen after the base member is implanted and the optimal disc height restoration is determined. This dynamic selection process allows the surgeon to adjust the closure member size based on actual intraoperative findings, ensuring precise restoration of disc height and vertebral alignment while maintaining surgical efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
An implant for spinal fusion includes a base member, a closure member, pins, and recesses. The base member includes a U-shaped configuration with an open end defined by first and second free ends of first and second side walls extending away from an end wall. The closure member is configured to form an enclosed interior when coupled with the base member. The closure member includes first and second overlapping portions configured to engage the first and second free ends. First and second pins are embedded in a respective one of the first and second free ends. First and second recesses are formed in a respective one of the first and second overlapping portions. The pins cooperate with the recesses to align and frictionally couple the base member with the closure member.