Nested Expandable Sleeve Implant for Osteoporotic Bone Augmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bone augmentation devices lack the ability to center a load-bearing element and provide structural support through concentric expansion, which is essential for effectively strengthening osteoporotic bones prone to fractures.
Innovation Solution
An expandable implant system comprising a core element and nestable, radially expandable sleeves that can be sequentially inserted to provide radial expansion and structural support, allowing for customizable size and shape to fit specific bone conditions, using a minimally invasive surgical method.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional inflatable bone augmentation devices are used, then bone augmentation can be achieved, but the devices lack the ability to center a load-bearing element and provide structural support through concentric expansion
Solution Approach 1:
The implant system employs multiple expandable sleeves nested within each other around a central load-bearing element. Each sleeve can be independently expanded to provide concentric structural support, with the nested configuration allowing progressive expansion from the innermost to outermost sleeves, thereby achieving centralized load-bearing capability while maintaining device manageability
Solution Approach 2:
The implant is divided into multiple discrete expandable sleeves that can be independently controlled and expanded. This segmentation allows each sleeve to provide localized structural support while collectively achieving concentric expansion around the load-bearing element, resolving the contradiction between providing comprehensive structural support and maintaining device simplicity
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed-size implants are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to various bone conditions and sizes is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The implant system transitions from a fixed configuration to a dynamic, adjustable structure through the expandable sleeves. Each sleeve can be expanded to different degrees and combinations, allowing the implant to adapt to various bone conditions, sizes, and anatomical requirements while providing the necessary structural support for each specific case
3Strength
If multiple expandable sleeves are sequentially inserted, then radial expansion and structural support are achieved, but the insertion process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The multiple expandable sleeves are configured to nest within each other during insertion, allowing them to be introduced through a single access point in a sequential manner. This nested insertion approach simplifies the surgical procedure compared to introducing multiple separate implants, while still achieving the desired radial expansion and concentric structural support when the sleeves are deployed
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
The system effectively strengthens osteoporotic bones by providing structural support and radial expansion, capable of restoring bone height and shape, and can be used for various bone conditions, including vertebral compression fractures, through incremental expansion and customizable sizing.
Implementation Method 1
one or more of sleeves, preferably a plurality of sleeves, placed radially about the core element. The sleeves may be nestable and expandable. The plurality of sleeves may be sequentially insertable over the core element in such a manner that a first sleeve is inserted over the core element and each subsequently inserted sleeve is received between the core element and the previously inserted sleeve such that the insertion of each additional sleeve causes each previously inserted sleeve to outwardly expand.
Data Source
AI summary
An expandable implant for treating bone preferably in a minimally invasive manner includes a preferably cylindrical core element extending along a longitudinal axis and preferably a plurality of nestable, expandable sleeves extending along a longitudinal axis for placement radially about the core element. The plurality of nestable sleeves are sequentially insertable over the core element in such a manner that a first nestable sleeve is inserted over the core element and each subsequently inserted nestable sleeve is received between the core element and the previously inserted nestable sleeve such that the insertion of each additional sleeve causes each previously inserted sleeve to outwardly expand.