Polyaxial Vertebral Endplate Assembly for In-Situ Angle Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vertebral implants struggle with subsidence and sagittal imbalance due to disparities between the angles of the endplates and adjacent vertebral bodies after implantation, limiting the ability to make in-situ adjustments.

Innovation Solution

The development of polyaxial endplate assemblies with articulable plate members and wedge members that allow for pivotable adjustment of angles after assembly and implantation, using locking and securing elements to stabilize the orientation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional fixed-angle endplates are used, then the implant structure is simple and stable, but the endplates cannot be adjusted to match the patient's anatomy, causing subsidence and sagittal imbalance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to patient anatomyVSAvoidcomplexity of endplate assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The endplate assembly is divided into multiple independent components: a receiving member with a locked articulable plate member, a locking member with a rounded head portion and neck portion, and a securing element. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while enabling overall adjustability to match patient anatomy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The locked articulable plate member is designed to be pivotable within the receiving member before final locking, allowing dynamic adjustment of the endplate angle to match the patient's lordosis and kyphosis. After positioning, the locking member and securing element stabilize the orientation, transitioning from dynamic adjustment to static fixation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If fixed-angle endplates are used, then the implantation process is quick and simple, but in-situ adjustments cannot be made, leading to poor surgical outcomes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of implantationVSAvoidsurgical outcome reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The locked articulable plate member is pre-configured within the receiving member with the locking mechanism ready for engagement. This preliminary arrangement allows the surgeon to quickly implant the device while retaining the ability to make in-situ adjustments by manipulating the plate member before final securing, thus maintaining both ease of operation and reliability of outcome.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the endplate angle cannot be adjusted after implantation, then the implant structure is simpler, but subsidence and sagittal imbalance occur due to angle disparities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of subsidence and sagittal imbalanceVSAvoidcomplexity of locking and securing mechanisms

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking member with the rounded head portion is nested within the cavity of the articulable plate member, which itself is nested within the receiving member. The securing element is received within a receptacle of the receiving member. This nested configuration allows multiple functional components to be integrated in a compact manner, providing angle adjustment and stabilization capabilities without excessive external complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS20260053636A1Vertebral implants and methods for installation thereof

Publication Date: 2026.02.26 GLOBUS MEDICAL INC

AI summary

Embodiments herein are generally directed to vertebral implants and implant trials for use with vertebral implant assemblies. In some embodiments, these implants and implant trials may be used in conjunction with corpectomy procedures.