Segmented Porous Spinal Implant for Adjustable Vertebral Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spinal implant devices fail to effectively address the need for improved treatment of degenerative disc disease by providing customizable and conformable solutions that facilitate optimal vertebral orientation and fusion.
Innovation Solution
A spinal implant with a multi-chamber design featuring different wall configurations and porosity, allowing for variable volumetric expansion ratios in each chamber segment, enabling customizable orientation and enhanced fusion with vertebral endplates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single-chamber implant design is used, then the device structure is simple, but the ability to provide customizable vertebral orientation and segmentation is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The implant is divided into multiple chamber segments (first chamber segment, second chamber segment, third chamber segment) with different wall configurations. Each segment can expand independently with different volumetric expansion ratios, enabling customizable vertebral orientation and segmentation angles while maintaining a unified implant structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Different wall configurations are applied to different chamber segments. The first chamber segment has a first wall configuration with first volumetric expansion ratio, the second chamber segment has a second wall configuration with second volumetric expansion ratio, and the third chamber segment has a third wall configuration with third volumetric expansion ratio. This local differentiation enables precise control over vertebral orientation in different regions.
2Manufacturing precision
If uniform wall configuration is used throughout the implant, then manufacturing is simple, but the ability to achieve variable volumetric expansion and contact area with endplates is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The implant wall is segmented into different configurations corresponding to different chamber segments. Each segment can be manufactured with specific expansion characteristics, allowing precise control over volumetric expansion ratios while using standardized manufacturing processes for each segment type.
Solution Approach 2:
The wall configuration parameters are changed between different chamber segments. By varying the wall thickness, porosity, and structural geometry in different segments, the implant achieves different volumetric expansion ratios in each segment, enabling precise control over final implant geometry and endplate contact area.
3Strength
If the implant wall has low porosity, then structural strength is maintained, but fluid passage and tissue ingrowth are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The implant wall is constructed with porous material that allows fluid passage and tissue ingrowth. The porosity is optimized to balance structural strength with biological functionality, enabling bone ingrowth and fusion while maintaining adequate mechanical support for the implant structure.
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 implant provides improved vertebral separation and fusion by allowing for precise adjustment of segmentation angles and increased contact area with endplates, suitable for both open and minimally invasive surgical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
The wall has a porosity that permits fluid passage through the wall thickness
Implementation Method 2
The wall has a porosity that permits fluid passage through the wall thickness and permits blood vessels and fibrous tissue to extend through the wall thickness
Data Source
AI summary
A spinal implant is provided that is configured to receive a fill material is provided that includes a wall that defines an interior chamber. The wall has an interior side, an exterior side, and a wall thickness that extends between the interior side and the exterior side. The wall has a porosity that permits fluid passage through the wall thickness and permits blood vessels and fibrous tissue to extend through the wall thickness. The interior chamber has a first chamber segment and a second chamber segment. In the first chamber segment, the wall has a first wall configuration. In the second chamber segment, the wall has a second wall configuration. The first chamber segment has a first volumetric expansion ratio and the second chamber segment has a second volumetric expansion ratio. The second volumetric expansion ratio is greater than the first volumetric expansion ratio.