Modular Intervertebral Fusion Device with Standardized Endplates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intervertebral fusion devices are complex, which can lead to difficulties in assembly, installation, and disassembly, compromising ease of use and long-term reliability, and may result in material wear and loss of spinal correction.
Innovation Solution
A kit of parts comprising a plurality of different endplates and a core component, where each endplate has a bone graft aperture and the core component has a bone graft material holding space, allowing for selection and assembly of components to form an intervertebral fusion device that facilitates ease of movement and distribution of bone graft material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If known intervertebral devices are designed to provide adjustment of height and functional spine unit angle, then adaptability to differing anatomy and spinal deformity is improved, but device complexity increases leading to difficulties in assembly, installation, and disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The intervertebral device is divided into separate components: a body portion and an endplate. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the body portion provides height and angle adjustment capabilities while the endplate provides a standardized interface for assembly and bone graft insertion, thereby maintaining adaptability while reducing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The endplate is designed as a universal component that can be used with different body portions to address various spinal conditions and anatomies. The standardized bone graft aperture and engagement features allow the same endplate design to work across multiple device configurations, reducing the need for multiple specialized components
2Adaptability or versatility
If known intervertebral devices are designed with complex structures, then functional capabilities are improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulties in assembly, installation, and disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the device into modular components with standardized interfaces, the assembly process is simplified. The endplate engages with the body portion through defined engagement features that guide proper alignment, reducing the skill level and time required for assembly while maintaining functional capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The bone graft aperture is pre-formed in the endplate during manufacturing, eliminating the need for complex intraoperative bone graft insertion procedures. This preliminary preparation simplifies the surgical installation process while ensuring proper bone graft placement
3Reliability
If known intervertebral devices are designed to accommodate bone graft material, then fusion effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional structural requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The bone graft aperture is integrated directly into the endplate structure, combining the functions of structural support and bone graft delivery into a single component. This merging eliminates the need for separate bone graft containers or delivery mechanisms, maintaining fusion effectiveness while reducing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The endplate is designed with a specific local feature - the bone graft aperture - that concentrates the bone graft delivery function at the critical interface between the device and vertebral body. This localized approach ensures effective fusion while keeping the rest of the device structure simple
Data Source
AI summary
A kit of parts from which selection is made to form an intervertebral fusion device. The kit of parts comprises a plurality of different endplates and a core component. Each of the plurality of different endplates is configured to be received in an intervertebral space defined between first and second vertebrae. The core component is configured to engage with each of the plurality of endplates and a selected one of the plurality of endplates when the selected endplate and the core component are received in the intervertebral space. Each of the plurality of endplates defines a bone graft aperture which is open at top and bottom surfaces of the endplate and extends between the top and bottom surfaces, the thus defined bone graft apertures being of substantially the same dimensions as one another when the plurality of endplates are in plan view. The core component defines a bone graft material holding space having a holding space opening in one of a core component top surface and a core component bottom surface of the core component. The holding space opening is of substantially the same dimensions as each of the bone graft apertures when the core component is in plan view. The holding space opening is substantially coextensive with the bone graft aperture of the selected endplate in plan view and when the core component is engaged with and in registration with the selected endplate.