Segmented Vertebral Support Member for Osteoporotic Fracture Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for vertebral compression fractures, such as osteoporosis-induced fractures, face challenges including screws loosening in osteoporosis patients, inadequate support from single fillers, and risk of nerve injury during implantation, leading to prolonged surgery and complications like spinal instability and deformity.
Innovation Solution
A combinable supporting member system comprising hollow-cored portions with guide and engaging features, allowing for the implantation of single or multiple members that can be slidably coupled and engaged within the vertebra, enabling safe penetration and adjustable support without enlarging the wound, made from materials like metal, polymer plastic, or biodegradable materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single filler is implanted into a collapsed vertebra, then the surgery is simpler and quicker, but the filler cannot provide adequate support to the vertebra
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting structure is divided into multiple segments (first supporting member and second supporting member) that can be implanted separately through the same pedicle. Each segment provides partial support, and when combined, they deliver adequate overall support to the collapsed vertebra, resolving the contradiction between surgical simplicity and support adequacy.
Solution Approach 2:
The first supporting member and second supporting member are nested within the same pedicle pathway. The second supporting member is inserted through the outer guide pipe after the first member is in place, allowing both members to occupy the same implantation route while providing cumulative support strength.
2Strength
If a required filler is made large to provide adequate support, then vertebral support is sufficient, but it is likely to injure peripheral nerves while passing through the pedicle
Solution Approach 1:
The large filler is segmented into two smaller supporting members (first and second members). Each smaller member can safely pass through the narrow pedicle without compressing or injuring peripheral nerves, while their combined volume and support capacity equal or exceed that of a single large filler.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of implanting one large filler that exactly fills the void, two smaller fillers are implanted sequentially. The first member provides initial support and creates space, allowing the second member to be inserted safely without excessive compression of surrounding neural structures.
3Reliability
If multiple screws are driven into more vertebrae of an osteoporosis patient, then screw loosening is prevented, but surgery time is prolonged and bleeding increases leading to more complications
Solution Approach 1:
The first and second supporting members are combined within the same pedicle pathway, effectively merging two support elements into a single implantation site. This provides enhanced fixation stability similar to multiple screws across multiple vertebrae, but achieves it through a minimally invasive single-site approach that reduces surgery time and bleeding.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of extending the fixation horizontally across multiple vertebrae (adding more screw sites), the solution adds vertical dimension by implanting two supporting members sequentially through the same pedicle. This provides cumulative support and stability without increasing the number of surgical access points or overall procedure complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a supporting member for implanting into a vertebra of a subject, including: a hollow body including an upper surface and a lower surface opposite the upper surface; a first guiding part formed on the upper surface; a second guiding part corresponding to the first guiding part and formed on the lower surface; a first engaging part formed on the upper surface; and a second engaging part corresponding to the first engaging part and formed on the lower surface; wherein the second guiding part extends out an extending part from a side of the hollow body, and the extending part is configured to be slidably coupled to a first guiding part of another supporting member sliding to the lower surface of the supporting member, as a result two supporting members are slidably coupled to each other and engaged to each other. According to the invention, one single supporting member can be implanted into a vertebra of a subject, or two or more supporting members can be in sequence introduced into a vertebra of a subject and combined together therein.