Lumbar Cage With Multiple Insertion Routes And Screw Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spinal implants lack flexibility in insertion routes, being limited to either anterior or anterolateral approaches, which may not accommodate varying anatomical conditions effectively.
Innovation Solution
A lumbar cage design with peripheral arrangements for cooperative insertion via anterior, anterolateral, or lateral routes, featuring multiple screw holes oriented for secure fixation in different directions, and complementary retaining mechanisms to prevent screw loosening, allowing for adaptable placement and anchorage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the cage is designed with multiple insertion arrangements and screw holes for different approaches, then the adaptability to various anatomical conditions is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lumbar cage is designed with multiple insertion arrangements (first and second arrangements) and multiple screw holes (central, first lateral, first anterior, second lateral, second anterior) that enable the same device to be inserted and fixed through different surgical approaches (anterior, anterolateral, lateral) depending on the patient's anatomy and surgical preferences, making the device universal and adaptable to various clinical scenarios
2Reliability
If the cage includes complementary retaining arrangements to prevent screw loosening, then the reliability of fixation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lumbar cage incorporates complementary retaining arrangements (collars on screw heads and shoulders inside holes) that are designed in advance to prevent screw loosening before it can occur during normal physiological loading, thereby enhancing the reliability of fixation without requiring complex additional mechanisms
Data Source
Figure 1~6
Figure 4~9
AI summary
The cage (1) has arrangements (1f, 1g) e.g. notches, separately cooperating with a gripper device to allow insertion of the gripping device via anterior, anterolateral path or lateral paths. A central hole (1h) is oriented for engagement with a first clamping screw guided in the adjacent vertebra. Lateral holes (1i, 1j) are oriented for engagement with second and third clamping screws guided in the adjacent vertebra, when the cage is inserted via the anterior path and the anterolateral path, where the cage is fixed in the vertebra via one of the screws.