Modular Spinal Fusion Cage with Nested Plate and Locking Fasteners
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spinal fusion techniques require invasive placement of hardware deep within the surgical site, leading to prolonged recovery times and rehabilitation due to the need for rigid spacers and immobilization devices that inhibit spacer exit from the intervertebral space.
Innovation Solution
A low-profile implant system comprising a spacer and a fusion plate with fasteners and locking mechanisms that minimize profile while ensuring immobilization, featuring snap-lock engagement and threaded connectors to secure the fusion plate to the spacer, preventing reverse threading and promoting bone fusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional rigid spacers and immobilization hardware are placed deep within the surgical site, then vertebral stabilization and fusion are achieved, but the hardware profile is large and recovery time is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The implant is divided into two functional segments: a spacer component that maintains intervertebral disc space and promotes fusion, and a separate fusion plate that provides stabilization. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing the overall hardware profile while maintaining stabilization reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The fusion plate is designed to nest over the posterior aspect of the spacer, with the plate's main body portion conforming to the rear portion of the spacer. This nested configuration minimizes the overall hardware profile by allowing components to occupy overlapping spatial volumes rather than additive volumes.
2Reliability
If conventional immobilization hardware is used, then vertebral fusion is secured, but the hardware inhibits spacer exit from the intervertebral space
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static conventional hardware configuration to a dynamic staged configuration. The spacer is first inserted into the intervertebral space to maintain disc height and promote fusion. Once fusion begins, the fusion plate is attached to the spacer's rear portion, providing stabilization while allowing the spacer to be removed if needed, as it is no longer constrained by the hardware.
3Reliability
If invasive placement techniques are used, then secure immobilization is achieved, but recovery time and rehabilitation duration increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fusion plate is designed as a thin-profile device with a main body portion that conforms to the rear portion of the spacer. This thin-film approach provides sufficient immobilization security while minimizing tissue disruption during placement, thereby reducing recovery time and rehabilitation duration compared to bulkier conventional hardware.
Data Source
AI summary
A modular anchor bone fusion cage is provided. The cage includes a spacer configured to fit into a space between the faces of two bones that are to be fused together. A fusion plate having at least a main body portion is coupled to the spacer. Fasteners extend through the fusion plate to engage the bone. At least some of the fasteners also extend through the spacer to engage the opposed faces of the bone. A cover plate is coupled to the fusion plate to inhibit the fasteners from backing out prior to fusion of the bones