Pivoting End Cap Intervertebral Implant for Spinal Curvature
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Solution Overview
Problem
The curvature and shape of vertebral members in the spine make it difficult for existing intervertebral implants to securely contact adjacent vertebral members, leading to inadequate stabilization and distraction of the spine.
Innovation Solution
The development of intervertebral implants with a body and end cap configuration that allows for angular adjustment and locking, utilizing tooth sets and biasing members to ensure secure contact with vertebral members, accommodating the spinal anatomy for improved stability and alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing intervertebral implants are used, then the implant structure is simple, but the implant cannot securely contact adjacent vertebral members due to spinal curvature
Solution Approach 1:
The end cap is designed to pivot relative to the body, allowing the implant to dynamically adjust its angular position to match the curvature of the spine. This dynamic adjustment enables secure contact with adjacent vertebral members while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant is divided into separate components including a body and an end cap that can move independently. This segmentation allows the end cap to pivot and adjust angularly while the body remains stable, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and secure contact capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the end cap is fixed to the body, then the implant structure is simple, but the angular position cannot be adjusted to match spinal curvature
Solution Approach 1:
The connection mechanism between the end cap and body is designed to allow pivoting motion, providing angular position adjustment capability. This dynamic connection enables the implant to adapt to different spinal curvatures while keeping the mechanism relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivoting capability is provided only where needed at the end cap interface, rather than making the entire implant adjustable. This partial action approach provides the necessary adaptability while minimizing overall device complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the end cap can pivot for adjustment, then adaptability to spinal anatomy is improved, but the stability of the implant may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The implant transitions from a static fixed structure to a dynamic adjustable structure, allowing angular adjustment during implantation to match spinal curvature, then stabilizing once positioned. This dynamic design provides both adaptability and stability at different stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The angular position is adjusted preliminarily during the implantation process to match the patient's specific spinal anatomy, after which the implant stabilizes in that optimized position. This preliminary adjustment ensures both adaptability and long-term stability.
Data Source
AI summary
Implants sized to be inserted into an intervertebral space between first and second vertebral members. The implants may include a body with opposing first and second ends. An end cap may be connected to the body and include a first side with a contact surface that faces away from the body and is configured to contact against one of the first and second vertebral members when the implant is positioned in the intervertebral space. The end cap may also include a second side that faces towards the body. A connection mechanism may connect the end cap and the body for the end cap to pivot to adjust an angular position of the end cap relative to the body. The body and the end cap may each include locking features that engage together to lock an angular position of the end cap. The locking features may be configured to overlap at each of the angular positions to engage together and maintain the angular position of the end cap relative to the body when the implant is positioned in the intervertebral space.