Modular Spinal Fixation Device for Lateral Disc Fusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal fixation devices require a large range of pre-manufactured sizes and configurations to accommodate anatomical variations, leading to suboptimal fits and increased costs due to the need for multiple sizes, and often necessitate multiple surgical approaches for effective vertebral fusion.
Innovation Solution
The use of placement instruments that allow for the subdivision of load-bearing superstructures and positioning of bone graft material within an internal space or external to the spacers, enabling flexible delivery and configuration of spacers and bone graft material during minimally invasive surgical procedures, such as the lateral approach, to achieve optimal fit and load distribution across the intervertebral disc space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a large range of pre-manufactured sizes and configurations are used to accommodate anatomical variations, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spinal fixation device is divided into modular components including vertebral body anchors, rod segments, and connection elements that can be independently selected and assembled. This segmentation allows customization for different anatomical configurations without requiring completely different device designs, thereby maintaining adaptability while reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates adjustable and flexible elements such as controllable rod curvature, variable angle anchors, and modular connection mechanisms that can be adapted intraoperatively to match patient-specific anatomy. This dynamic adaptability reduces the need for multiple pre-manufactured size variants.
2Reliability
If multiple surgical approaches are used for effective vertebral fusion, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but surgical complexity and patient trauma increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spinal fixation device is designed with multi-functional capabilities that allow it to be effectively deployed through different surgical approaches (anterior, posterior, lateral). The anchors and rods can accommodate various insertion trajectories and positioning requirements, enabling a single device type to achieve reliable fusion regardless of the surgical approach used.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates adjustable parameters such as anchor orientation angles, rod curvature, and connection point positions that can be modified to optimize performance for different surgical approaches. This parameter flexibility allows the same basic device design to adapt to anterior, posterior, or lateral approaches without compromising fusion effectiveness.
Data Source
AI summary
Placement apparatus and methods of use for impanation of spacers within an inter-vertebral disc space. In one embodiment, the load-bearing superstructure of the implant is subdivided and the bone forming material is positioned within an internal space of the placement instrument but external to the load bearing elements themselves. At least a portion of the bone graft material is freely contained within the disc space. A method of using the device is also described. In one embodiment, the placement device is used to place the implantable spacers at opposing ends of the disc space using a directly lateral surgical approach.