Self-Affixing Interbody Fusion Devices for Low-Profile Spinal Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing interbody fusion devices often require additional fixation elements that protrude anteriorly, obstructing anatomy and necessitating invasive dissection, and lack efficient mechanisms for direct attachment to adjacent vertebrae.

Innovation Solution

Interbody fusion devices with self-affixing mechanisms, including spacers and fixation members such as screws, nails, shims, and deployable fins or blades, that securely attach to adjacent vertebrae without significant anterior protrusion, allowing for direct anterior approach.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If additional fixation elements are used to stabilize the spinal segment, then spinal stability is improved, but anterior anatomical obstruction increases and surgical invasiveness worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespinal stabilityVSAvoidanatomical obstruction

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The spacer and fixation elements are merged into a single integrated device. The fixation elements are built-in to the spacer body, eliminating the need for separate fixation components. This integration allows the device to provide both spacing and fixation functions while minimizing anterior protrusion and anatomical obstruction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The fixation elements are oriented at specific angles relative to the spacer body, utilizing three-dimensional spatial arrangement. The angled fixation elements extend through the spacer at orientations that provide spinal stability while retracting posteriorly rather than protruding anteriorly, thus avoiding anatomical obstruction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Stability of the object's composition

If a plate is positioned on the anterior portions of adjacent vertebral bodies for fixation, then spinal stability is improved, but the profile becomes obstructive to the anatomy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespinal stabilityVSAvoidanterior profile

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of having fixation elements protrude anteriorly from the spacer, the fixation elements are designed to extend posteriorly or laterally. This inverted configuration provides the necessary fixation stability while creating a streamlined anterior profile that does not obstruct spinal anatomy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of operation

If a direct anterior approach is used to access the spine, then surgical access is simplified, but vascular anatomy dissection is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical accessVSAvoiddissection requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device design extracts the fixation function from separate components and integrates it into the spacer itself. This allows the spacer to provide both spacing and fixation capabilities through a single anterior approach, eliminating the need for additional posterior fixation hardware and reducing the overall complexity of surgical dissection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS12370059B2Interbody fusion devices with self-affixing mechanisms

Publication Date: 2025.07.29 GLOBUS MEDICAL INC

AI summary

Interbody fusion devices including deployable fixation members. The implant may include a spacer, optionally, an end member coupled to the spacer, and one or more fixation members configured to extend into adjacent vertebrae. The fixation members may include screws, nails, shims, tangs, spikes, staples, pins, blades, fins, or the like, and combinations thereof.