Modular Interbody Spacer Fluid Passages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing interbody spacers for spinal fusion lack effective mechanisms to facilitate the delivery of bone marrow and blood elements rich in mesenchymal or undifferentiated hematologic cells and growth factors, which are essential for bone growth and fusion.
Innovation Solution
The development of an interbody spacer with fluid passages that connect outer apertures on the surface of the spacer to inner apertures within its internal cavity, allowing for the passive or active delivery of beneficial substances such as bone marrow and growth factors into the cavity, where they can integrate with bone graft materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional interbody spacers are used without fluid passages, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the delivery of bone marrow and blood elements rich in mesenchymal cells and growth factors is ineffective
Solution Approach 1:
The interbody spacer incorporates a porous structure with interconnected pores that allow bone marrow and blood elements to flow through the device. The porous material provides channels for cellular infiltration and transport while maintaining structural integrity, enabling effective delivery of mesenchymal cells and growth factors to the fusion site.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer is divided into multiple regions with different pore sizes and connectivity patterns. The structure includes larger pores for cell infiltration and smaller pores for nutrient transport, creating a segmented architecture that optimizes both mechanical support and biological function for bone fusion.
2Reliability
If the interbody spacer includes fluid passages for active delivery, then the delivery of growth factors and cells is enhanced, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The manufacturing process utilizes controlled parameter changes during sintering or forming to create the porous structure. By adjusting temperature, pressure, and material composition parameters, the desired pore architecture is achieved in a single manufacturing step, avoiding complex post-processing of fluid passages.
3Reliability
If the interbody spacer uses a porous structure for cell delivery, then the integration with bone graft materials is improved, but the structural strength may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The interbody spacer is constructed from composite materials that combine high-strength structural components with porous bioactive regions. The composite structure maintains adequate mechanical strength for load-bearing while providing porous pathways for bone marrow infiltration and bone graft integration, achieving both structural and biological requirements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enhances bone growth and fusion by delivering essential cells and growth factors directly to the site of fusion, improving the effectiveness of spinal fusion procedures and promoting better bone integration and stability.
Implementation Method 1
an instrument conduit can be configured to accept a suction device such that a partial vacuum can be present within the internal cavity of the substantially annular body to actively draw the fluid through the plurality of fluid passages
Data Source
AI summary
An intervertebral spinal spacer system includes a first portion of a modular spacer, the first portion having an upper surface, a lower surface, and an outer surface, and a second portion of the modular spacer, the second portion having an upper surface a lower surface, and an outer surface. The first portion is selectively engageable with the second portion. The first portion and the second portion each define an internal cavity extending from the respective upper surface to the respective lower surface.