Spinal Cage Lattice for Bone Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal fusion implants lack effective integration with bone tissue, leading to suboptimal fusion and stability between vertebrae, as they do not adequately facilitate bone growth and stabilization.
Innovation Solution
A spinal implant featuring a lattice structure exposed on its sides to promote bone growth, combined with a bone plate and fastener system for secure attachment, made from materials like titanium and PEEK, which includes alignment features for proper positioning and support material within the lattice to enhance stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a traditional solid cage structure is used, then structural strength is maintained, but bone growth and integration are hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The cage incorporates a lattice structure with interconnected pores that allow bone ingrowth while maintaining structural integrity. The porous architecture provides mechanical strength through geometric optimization while creating pathways for bone cells to penetrate and integrate with the implant, resolving the contradiction between strength and bone integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant combines different materials with complementary properties - typically a metal framework (titanium or cobalt-chromium) providing structural strength, combined with porous coatings or biocompatible materials that promote bone growth. This composite approach allows simultaneous achievement of mechanical reliability and biological integration.
2Ease of manufacture
If the cage is made from a single material, then manufacturing is simplified, but functional performance is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The cage uses composite material construction where a metal framework provides structural support and can be manufactured using established techniques, while porous coatings or biocompatible material layers are applied to promote bone growth. This multi-material approach enhances functional performance while remaining manufacturable through sequential processing steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The cage is divided into functional zones with different material properties - the outer framework uses high-strength material for structural support, while internal surfaces or specific regions incorporate porous or biocompatible materials for bone integration. This segmentation allows optimization of different regions for their specific functions while maintaining overall manufacturability.
3Measurement precision
If alignment features are added to the bone plate, then positioning precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bone plate incorporates asymmetric alignment features such as non-symmetric hole patterns, shaped cutouts, or directional protrusions that engage with corresponding features on the cage and vertebrae. These asymmetric geometries provide self-aligning capabilities that guide precise positioning during implantation, improving positioning precision while adding minimal complexity through geometric design rather than additional components.
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 implant effectively integrates with bone tissue, facilitating fusion and stability between vertebrae by allowing bone growth into the lattice structure and providing secure fixation through the bone plate and fastener system, ensuring proper alignment and multi-level fusion capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a lattice structure disposed at least partially within the frame and exposed on at least one side of the frame to permit bone growth into the lattice structure
Data Source
AI summary
Various exemplary embodiments relate to a spinal implant for insertion between two adjacent vertebrae, the spinal implant including one or more of the following: a cage comprising: a frame sized to be inserted between the vertebrae, the frame comprising a fastener hole and a cage alignment structure, the cage alignment structure comprising at least one of: a cage groove and a cage ridge; a bone plate comprising a bone plate alignment structure a through hole, wherein the bone plate alignment structure comprises at least one of a bone plate groove and a bone plate ridge, and wherein the bone plate alignment structure and the cage alignment structure are configured to interact with each other to provide an indication when the bone plate is properly aligned with the cage; and a fastener to attach the bone plate to the cage when inserted through the through hole and into the fastener hole.