Sequential Balloon Bone Tamp for Vertebral Endplate Realignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wedge fractures in vertebral bodies cause misalignment of adjacent vertebrae due to displacement of endplate portions, necessitating a device to restore anatomically-correct relationships between vertebrae.
Innovation Solution
An inflatable bone tamp with sequentially inflatable first and second balloon portions, controlled by a valve system, is used to expand and contract to restore the anatomically-correct relationship between adjacent vertebrae.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single balloon portion is inflated to restore vertebral alignment, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate complex displaced endplate configurations requiring multi-directional support
Solution Approach 1:
The inflatable bone tamp is divided into multiple balloon portions (first balloon portion and second balloon portion) that can be independently inflated. Each balloon portion can accommodate different displaced endplate configurations, providing versatile support while maintaining a modular structure that manages complexity through functional segmentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The first balloon portion and second balloon portion are nested within the same tubular housing structure, with each balloon contained within its own chamber. This nesting approach allows multiple functional elements to coexist in a compact arrangement, increasing adaptability without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
2Reliability
If liquid is pumped into the first balloon portion to expand it, then the displaced endplate is supported, but the liquid pressure must be precisely controlled to avoid damaging surrounding tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The valve system provides feedback control for liquid injection into the balloon portions. The valve responds to pressure conditions within the first balloon portion and automatically regulates liquid flow, ensuring that the displaced endplate receives reliable support while the system self-regulates to prevent excessive pressure that could damage surrounding tissue.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve system operates autonomously to control liquid pressure based on internal conditions within the balloon portions. Once liquid is introduced, the valve self-regulates the pressure and flow without requiring continuous manual intervention, making the device both reliable in providing support and easy to operate.
3Productivity
If the valve allows immediate passage of liquid from the first cavity to the second cavity, then the inflation process is fast, but the sequential inflation control is lost and anatomical precision is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is designed to require a threshold pressure to be reached in the first balloon portion before allowing liquid to pass to the second balloon portion. This preliminary action ensures that the first balloon is adequately inflated to provide precise anatomical support before the second balloon begins to inflate, maintaining alignment precision while still enabling a relatively efficient two-stage inflation process.
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 inflatable bone tamp effectively restores the anatomically-correct alignment of vertebrae by sequentially inflating balloon portions to accommodate displaced endplate portions, facilitating surgical correction of spinal deformities.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid pumped through the first passageway can enter the first cavity via the at least one aperture of the inner first tubular portion and can expand the first balloon portion from a first contracted position to a first expanded position
Implementation Method 2
the valve limits passage of the liquid from the first cavity to the second cavity through the various perforations until a threshold pressure of the liquid is reached in the first cavity
Implementation Method 3
the fluid entering the second cavity via the various perforations in the valve can expand the second balloon portion from a second contracted position to a second expanded position
Data Source
AI summary
An inflatable bone tamp including a first balloon portion and a second balloon portion is provided. Each of the first balloon portion and the second balloon portion include interior cavities that can be filled with liquid, and these interior cavities communicate with one another via a valve. The valve can limit or restrict flow of the liquid between the cavities. As such, the first balloon portion and the second balloon portion can be sequentially inflated with the liquid through use of the valve.