Shape Memory Cavity Creation Device for Vertebral Fracture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for vertebral compression fractures and related spinal deformities are limited in their ability to effectively create or enlarge cavities in bone tissue, particularly in a minimally invasive manner, which hinders the restoration of vertebral body height and correction of spinal curvature.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a cannula and a cavity creation device with a friction reduction covering and a cavity creation member that can move from a retracted to a deployed position, allowing for the creation or enlargement of a cavity in the vertebral body, utilizing a guidewire and cannula to facilitate minimally invasive procedures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a cannula or bone needle is used to insert bone cement into the vertebral body, then the procedure can be performed minimally invasively, but the ability to create or enlarge cavities in the bone tissue is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveminimally invasive procedureVSAvoidcavity creation capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cavity creation device is divided into separate functional components: a cavity creation member for generating the cavity, a friction reduction covering to facilitate movement, and a retention mechanism to hold the components together. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function effectively while maintaining overall minimally invasive capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cavity creation member is designed to be movable between a retracted position (for insertion through the cannula) and a deployed position (for cavity creation). This dynamic transformation enables the device to transition from a simple minimally invasive instrument to an effective cavity creation tool at the target site.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If a mechanical device or balloon expansion is used to create space in the compressed vertebral body, then cavity creation is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecavity creation capabilityVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The friction reduction covering is extracted as a separate component that can be easily attached to and removed from the cavity creation member. This extraction simplifies the overall device structure by allowing the cavity creation member to be the primary functional element, with the covering serving as an optional additive component only when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The cavity creation member is designed to nest within the friction reduction covering when not in use, and the entire assembly nests within the cannula during insertion. This nested configuration reduces device complexity by allowing multiple components to occupy the same space when not actively functioning, simplifying storage and handling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Reliability

If the cavity creation member is moved from retracted to deployed position, then cavity creation effectiveness is improved, but friction resistance increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecavity creation effectivenessVSAvoidfriction resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The friction reduction covering acts as an intermediary element between the cavity creation member and the surrounding tissue/cannula. By introducing this intermediate layer with reduced friction properties, the device can move more smoothly from the retracted to deployed position, overcoming the friction resistance that would otherwise hinder cavity creation effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enables the creation or enlargement of cavities in bone tissue with reduced friction, allowing for effective vertebral body height restoration and spinal curvature correction, thereby improving treatment outcomes for vertebral compression fractures.

Implementation Method 1

a friction reduction covering that includes a covering body sized to be received in a cannula opening

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction reduction: Lubrication

Implementation Method 2

The cavity creation member can include a portion that is biased to move from a first shape when in the retracted position to a second shape when in the deployed position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShape memory: Shape Memory Alloy

Data Source

PatentUS10159497B2Device to aid in the deployment of a shape memory instrument

Publication Date: 2018.12.25 DEPUY SYNTHES PROD INC

AI summary

A system is configured to create or enlarge a cavity in a tissue body and generally includes a cannula, a friction reduction covering, and a cavity creation member. The cavity creation member includes an end portion that is configured to transition between a first shape and a second shape that is different from the first shape. In operation, retracting the friction reduction covering relative to end portion causes the end portion to change shape from the first shape to the second shape such that the cavity creation member is configured to create or enlarge a cavity in the tissue body as the second end portion exits the friction reduction member.