Spinal Cage Anchoring System with Expandable Jaws
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical implants, such as spinal cages, face challenges in securely anchoring and retaining position within the spine due to movement during insertion and the complexity of surgical procedures, which can lead to trauma and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A medical implant with a movable/expandable anchoring system featuring vertically expanding jaw portions, operated by spindles or lead screws, allowing for secure positioning and anchoring without the need for additional fasteners, and optionally allowing for further securing with screws.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional spinal cages are used without an integrated anchoring system, then the surgical procedure requires additional fasteners and complex preparation, but the anchoring security is insufficient and procedural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the anchoring function with the cage body by integrating expandable jaw portions directly into the cage structure. The jaw portions are formed as integral parts of the cage body, eliminating the need for separate anchoring devices or additional fasteners. This merging of functions resolves the contradiction by providing reliable anchoring through the integrated jaws while simplifying the surgical procedure.
2Reliability
If the surgical procedure involves extensive preparation and additional fasteners, then anchoring can be achieved, but surgical time increases and trauma to surrounding tissues increases
Solution Approach 1:
The anchoring jaws are pre-formed as integral parts of the cage body during manufacturing, ready for immediate deployment. The jaw portions are designed in advance with the appropriate geometry and expandability features, so that during surgery, the surgeon only needs to activate the expansion mechanism rather than performing extensive preparation or installing separate anchoring components. This preliminary preparation of the anchoring structure reduces surgical time and tissue trauma.
3Ease of manufacture
If fixed height cages are used, then manufacturing is simplified, but adaptability to different spinal configurations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates expandable jaw portions that can be adjusted vertically to different heights and positions after cage insertion. The jaws are designed to be movable relative to the cage body, allowing dynamic adjustment to accommodate varying spinal configurations and patient anatomies. This dynamic capability provides adaptability while the base cage structure maintains manufacturing simplicity through standardized designs.
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 anchoring system enables consistent and convenient securement of the medical implant, reducing surgical complexity and trauma, while allowing for variable height adjustments to accommodate different spinal configurations.
Implementation Method 1
at least one spindle or lead screw that is operable to move between a first position and at least one second position
Data Source
AI summary
An improved cage that has an anchoring system and method of use thereof. The anchoring system has movable/expandable jaw portions that can expand vertically (i.e., upward and downward relative to the respective superior and inferior surfaces of the cage) so that the cage can be more securely implanted in position. The superior and inferior expandable portions of the anchoring system move vertically by the rotation of one or more spindles that is incorporated in the jaw mechanism (and/or by the rotation of a lead screw that is incorporated in the cage). In some embodiments, the medical implant (such as a cage) is itself non-expandable (i.e., the height of the medical implant does not change). In other embodiments, the medical implant (such as a cage) can be expanded independently of the anchoring system.