Rotatable Spinal Cage for Controlled Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal interbody implant constructs face challenges in maintaining controlled compression and preventing unintended movement post-implantation, which can hinder effective fusion between vertebral bodies and bone growth.
Innovation Solution
A fusion construct comprising a cage portion and an elongate plate, where the cage is designed for insertion and rotation within the intervertebral space to establish compression, and the elongate plate secures the cage in place using fasteners, preventing further rotation or lateral displacement, while allowing for bone growth promotion through material placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the fusion device is inserted into the intervertebral space to establish compression, then compression between vertebral bodies is improved, but the device may unintentionally change position or orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The fusion device incorporates a rotatable component that transitions from a first orientation during insertion to a second orientation after implantation. This dynamic reorientation allows the device to be easily inserted while maintaining compression, then stabilizes in the final position to prevent unintended movement. The rotatable mechanism enables the device to adapt its configuration based on the implantation stage.
2Force
If the cage is designed for rotation within the intervertebral space to establish compression, then compression control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fusion device is divided into distinct components: a cage portion and a rotatable plate portion. This segmentation allows the compression function to be separated from the stabilization function, enabling controlled compression through rotation while keeping each component relatively simple in design. The modular structure reduces overall complexity by assigning specific functions to separate elements.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the elongate plate secures the cage using fasteners to prevent movement, then position stability is improved, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The fusion device is designed to be inserted in a preliminary orientation where the plate is unlocked and can rotate freely, facilitating easy insertion and compression establishment. After implantation, the plate is secured in the final orientation using fasteners to prevent movement. This preliminary ease of operation followed by subsequent stabilization resolves the contradiction between easy implantation and long-term stability.
Data Source
AI summary
A spinal construct and method for implantation is provided which utilizes a spinal implant adapted for insertion within an intervertebral space between an adjacent pair of vertebral bodies, and an elongate member adapted for anchoring to the adjacent vertebral bodies. The spinal implant defines a first transverse dimension and a different second transverse dimension, and is initially inserted into the intervertebral space while in a first operational configuration wherein the first transverse dimension extends along the height of the intervertebral space. The elongate member is anchored to the vertebral bodies to establish and maintain a select height of the intervertebral space. The spinal implant is then rotated to a second operational configuration wherein the second transverse dimension extends along the height of the intervertebral space. The elongate member serves to maintain the select height of the intervertebral space to provide a controlled amount of compression onto the spinal implant and/or a bone growth promoting material contained therein. The elongate member also serves to resist tensile loads during extensional movement of the vertebral bodies to maintain the vertebral endplates in intimate contact with the spinal implant.