Spinal Interbody Cage Plate Key Keyway Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal interbody devices require multiple steps and instruments for placement, increasing surgery time, and lack a unified solution for efficient attachment and locking of cage and plate components, especially in the cervical region (C3 through C7) for spinal fusion and stability.
Innovation Solution
A spinal interbody device with a cage and plate configuration featuring a key and keyway system that allows for precise locking, where the plate can be moved linearly and rotated to secure the cage, providing consistent and quick attachment, and includes features for restoration of disc height and vertebral fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If separate components (cage and plate) are used with serial placement, then each component can be optimized independently, but the surgery time increases and multiple instruments are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cage and plate into a single integrated interbody device where the plate is formed as an integral part of the cage structure. This merging eliminates the need for separate placement steps and reduces the number of instruments required, directly addressing the surgery time issue while maintaining the ability to optimize the overall design
2Ease of manufacture
If separate components (cage and plate) are used with serial placement, then each component can be optimized independently, but the number of instruments required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated design allows a single instrument to perform both cage insertion and plate attachment functions. The plate is pre-formed as part of the cage structure, eliminating the need for separate plate placement instruments and reducing overall device complexity in the surgical setting
3Productivity
If a unified cage-plate device is used, then the number of implantation steps and instruments is reduced, but achieving consistent locking at precise position becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates a self-aligning and self-locking mechanism where the plate's position relative to the cage is automatically determined by the integrated geometry. The locking position is precisely controlled by the structural design of the integrated components, eliminating the need for manual alignment while maintaining high precision
Solution Approach 2:
The plate and cage feature asymmetric interfaces with specific geometric configurations that ensure only one correct locking position is possible. This asymmetric design provides consistent and precise locking while simplifying the implantation process
4Volume of moving object
If a low profile device is used, then patient comfort and surgical access are improved, but attachment structures for secure locking may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment structures are nested within the integrated cage-plate geometry, with the plate's locking features incorporated into the cage wall structure. This nesting approach maintains a low overall profile while providing secure attachment points that rely on the structural integrity of the integrated design rather than protruding elements
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A spinal interbody device, system and method can include use of an interbody cage and plate. The interbody cage can include at least one of a key and a keyway configured to mate with at least one of a mating keyway and key located on the plate. The key and keyway can be configured such that the cage and plate are quickly and easily attached and detached from each other, and such that positional relationship between the cage and plate can be arrived at quickly, accurately, and with tactile and/or audile notice to the practitioner.