Porous Bone Fixation Device with Offset Struts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spinal implants with large rims impede bone growth, increase pressure on vertebral endplates, and reduce the effectiveness of bone graft material integration, leading to suboptimal bone fusion due to their open channel design and high-pressure environments.
Innovation Solution
A multi-layer implant device with offsetting struts connecting layers, featuring a porous structure and relatively small rims, allowing for flexibility and absorption of compressive forces while promoting bone growth by minimizing impediments to bone fusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If large rims are used in the implant, then the contact area between the implant and vertebral endplates is increased, but bone growth is impeded and the size of the bone column fusing the vertebral bodies is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The implant rim is designed with a porous structure that allows bone ingrowth through the rim material itself, eliminating the need for large solid rims to provide contact area. The porous surface area provides adequate contact while simultaneously promoting bone growth through the implant structure.
2Device complexity
If open channel design is used through the center of the supporting rims, then the implant structure is simplified, but the members separating the rims must absorb compressive forces increasing pressure on smaller areas of the vertebral endplates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the open channel design entirely, replacing it with a solid porous rim structure. This extraction of the problematic open channel feature eliminates the need for internal members to absorb compressive forces, thereby reducing pressure concentration on the vertebral endplates.
3Reliability
If high-pressure state is applied to bone graft material during implantation, then bone graft material is prevented from exiting the implant and loosening, but creating and maintaining high-pressure state is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The porous structure of the implant rim provides mechanical interlocking with the bone graft material, preventing it from exiting the implant without requiring high-pressure application during implantation. The porous surfaces create friction and mechanical retention that stabilizes the bone graft material in place.
4Strength
If large rims are used in the implant, then structural strength is increased, but the rim provides impediment to bone growth and reduces bone column size
Solution Approach 1:
The porous rim structure provides structural strength through its three-dimensional interconnected framework while simultaneously creating pathways for bone ingrowth. The porous architecture maintains mechanical integrity while reducing the solid material volume that would otherwise impede bone column formation.
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 device effectively supports bone fusion by reducing rim-induced impediments, distributing compressive forces, and enhancing bone graft integration, thereby facilitating long-term structural support and stability.
Implementation Method 1
A multi-layer implant device with offsetting struts connecting layers, featuring a porous structure and relatively small rims, allowing for flexibility and absorption of compressive forces while promoting bone growth
Implementation Method 2
the offsetting strut alignment allows for the use of a comparatively small rim and yet still provides the device with a strong frame but also provides the device with a degree of flexibility or elasticity that allows it to absorb the compressive forces that are exerted on it
Data Source
AI summary
An internal bone fixation device that includes a support frame that is strong but able to absorb compressive forces and that surrounds a porous architecture that helps facilitate bone fusion.