Modular Footprint Cage System for Spinal Fusion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal implant devices lack adjustability and flexibility to accommodate varying vertebral anatomy, which can lead to inadequate support and fusion in cases of spinal curvature disorders and contour issues, potentially causing persistent pain and neurological damage.
Innovation Solution
The development of modular implant devices with adjustable engagement surfaces and components that can be nested or stacked to customize the footprint and angulation between vertebrae, using radiolucent materials like PEEK-OPTIMA polymer for enhanced visibility during imaging and incorporating textured surfaces and locking mechanisms for stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional fixed spinal implant devices are used, then manufacturing and inventory management are simplified, but they cannot accommodate varying vertebral anatomy and curvature disorders, leading to inadequate support and fusion
Solution Approach 1:
The implant device is divided into multiple modular components including cage bodies of different sizes, end caps with varying angulations, and interchangeable engagement surfaces. This segmentation allows surgeons to select and combine specific components to match the patient's unique vertebral anatomy and curvature requirements, thereby achieving high adaptability while keeping individual components relatively simple in design
Solution Approach 2:
Smaller cage bodies are designed to nest within larger cage bodies, and end caps are configured to fit within or attach to the cage bodies. This nesting arrangement allows multiple size and angulation options to be stored in a compact manner, reducing the overall device complexity and inventory requirements while maintaining the ability to provide customized solutions for different anatomical variations
2Adaptability or versatility
If modular components with adjustable footprint are used, then adaptability to anatomical variations is improved, but device complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The modular components are pre-configured with standardized engagement features, locking mechanisms, and pre-determined angulations during manufacturing. Surgeons select the appropriate pre-configured components based on preoperative planning and intraoperative assessment, then assemble them using straightforward connection procedures. This preliminary preparation of components with fixed characteristics simplifies the intraoperative assembly process despite the overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The end caps are designed with universal engagement features that can interface with multiple cage body sizes and configurations. A single end cap design can be used across different cage body dimensions, and the locking mechanisms are standardized throughout the system. This universality reduces the number of unique component variations needed and simplifies assembly procedures while maintaining customizable footprint adjustment capabilities
3Measurement precision
If radiolucent materials like PEEK-OPTIMA polymer are used, then imaging visibility is improved, but structural strength and load-bearing capacity may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The implant device utilizes PEEK-OPTIMA polymer, which is a high-performance composite material combining polyetheretherketone with reinforcing fibers. This composite formulation provides radiolucency for improved imaging visibility while simultaneously achieving sufficient structural strength and load-bearing capacity to support spinal fusion. The composite structure allows the material to exhibit both imaging transparency and mechanical robustness
Solution Approach 2:
The implant device employs varying wall thicknesses and structural densities in different regions to optimize the balance between radiolucency and strength. Areas requiring higher load-bearing capacity have increased material density or structural reinforcement, while maintaining overall radiolucent properties for imaging. This local variation in material quality allows simultaneous achievement of imaging visibility and structural strength
4Reliability
If textured surfaces and locking mechanisms are added, then stability and prevention of vertebral migration are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement surfaces of the cage bodies and end caps incorporate textured patterns and porous structures that promote bone ingrowth and enhance mechanical interlocking with vertebral bone. These textured surfaces are created through manufacturing processes such as laser texturing, plasma spraying, or porous coating techniques applied during production. While these features add some manufacturing complexity, they are integrated into the component fabrication process and provide significant improvements in stability and prevention of vertebral migration
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are devices for the fixation and support of vertebrae, particularly adjustable spinal implant devices.