Movable-Arm Intervertebral Prosthetic for Stable Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intervertebral implants do not fully address the need for preserving spinal motion while providing stable fixation between vertebral bodies, and existing methods for implantation often require complex approaches that come with risks and limitations.
Innovation Solution
The development of an intervertebral prosthetic system comprising upper and lower components with elongated central portions and movable arms that engage vertebral sidewalls, allowing for secure anchoring and motion preservation through a dovetail interface and adjustable mechanisms, facilitating direct lateral insertion and secure engagement with both lateral sides of the vertebrae.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If traditional intervertebral implants are used to provide stable fixation between vertebral bodies, then fixation stability is improved, but spinal motion preservation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The prosthetic device incorporates movable arms with articulation joints that allow dynamic adjustment between insertion and anchoring configurations. The arms can pivot and rotate to adapt to vertebral anatomy while maintaining stable fixation, enabling the device to preserve spinal motion through controlled articulation while providing rigid support when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is divided into modular components including upper and lower components with separate movable arms that can independently engage vertebral sidewalls. This segmentation allows each arm to be optimally positioned for both stable fixation and motion preservation, resolving the contradiction between rigidity and adaptability.
2Reliability
If complex surgical approaches are used for implantation, then secure anchoring is improved, but surgical risk and complexity worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The movable arms are pre-configured in a compact insertion position that facilitates straightforward surgical implantation through minimal access. Once implanted, the arms are actuated to the anchoring configuration to provide secure fixation. This preliminary configuration reduces surgical complexity while maintaining anchoring reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic transformation of the arms from insertion to anchoring configuration allows the device to simplify the surgical approach while ensuring secure fixation. The actuation mechanism enables the transition within the vertebral body without requiring complex external manipulation or extensive surgical exposure.
3Ease of manufacture
If fixed configuration implants are used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but adaptability to various vertebral sizes worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses movable arms with articulation joints that can be positioned at various angles and orientations to accommodate different vertebral anatomies and sizes. The arms can be adjusted intraoperatively to optimize engagement with the vertebral sidewalls, providing adaptability without requiring multiple fixed-configuratio n device variants.
Solution Approach 2:
The universal design of the movable arms allows a single device configuration to serve multiple vertebral sizes and anatomies. The arms can be positioned to engage with vertebral sidewalls of varying dimensions, making the device universally applicable while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through a standardized modular design.
Data Source
AI summary
Intervertebral prosthetic systems, devices, and associated methods are provided. The present disclosure provides top and bottom endplates that engage the lateral walls of the vertebral bodies for stability and incorporate a compliant core, ball-and-socket core, fusion-cage core, or any other suitable type of motion-preserving or fusion cores. The endplate designs allow insertion through a unilateral approach yet still have engagement on both sides of the vertebral body to provide stability and reduce the risk of subsidence. In some instances, saddle style endplates are inserted and then rotated to engage the lateral walls of the vertebral bodies. In other instances, hinged style endplates are inserted in a first orientation and then at least one end portion is pivoted to a second orientation so that the endplates engage the lateral walls of the vertebral bodies.