Spinal Cage Deployable Member for Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal cages used in spinal fusion surgeries often require additional fixation methods to prevent movement, which can complicate the procedure and may not adequately address the need for adjustable positioning and bone ingrowth.
Innovation Solution
A spinal cage design featuring a deployable member, such as a rotatable spin-plate, that can be engaged with the spinal cage to provide additional stability and facilitate bone ingrowth, with a geometry that allows for adjustable positioning and integration with various surgical approaches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If additional fixation methods (such as separate plates) are used to prevent spinal cage movement, then stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The deployable member is integrated directly into the spinal cage structure, combining the cage and fixation elements into a single unified device. This eliminates the need for separate plates and reduces the number of components while maintaining stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The deployable member transitions from a retracted state during insertion to a deployed state after implantation. This dynamic transformation allows the device to adapt its stability characteristics based on the surgical phase, providing ease of insertion initially and then robust fixation afterward.
2Stability of the object's composition
If fixed positioning structures are used in spinal cages, then stability is improved, but adaptability to different surgical approaches and patient anatomies deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The deployable member can be adjusted between retracted and deployed states, allowing the same device to adapt to different surgical approaches and patient anatomies while maintaining stability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The device allows changes in geometric parameters (deployment state) to accommodate different surgical requirements and anatomical variations, providing both adaptability and stability as needed.
3Ease of manufacture
If simple spinal cage designs are used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but reliability in preventing cage movement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The fixation elements are integrated into the cage as a single monolithic structure or pre-assembled unit, simplifying manufacturing while providing reliable fixation. The deployable member is formed as part of the cage structure rather than requiring separate components.
4Reliability
If deployable members are added to spinal cages, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The deployable member is integrated into the spinal cage structure, combining multiple functions into a single device. This reduces the number of separate components while maintaining the reliability benefits of the deployable fixation mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The deployable member is designed to be deployed through simple manual manipulation or basic surgical tools, allowing the surgeon to activate the fixation mechanism without complex deployment procedures or specialized instrumentation.
Data Source
AI summary
A spinal cage with a wall extending in a longitudinal direction defining an interior space is disclosed. There is also provided a deployable element in movable relation to the spinal cage.