Spinal Cage with Movable Staples for Vertebral Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spinal implants for fusing vertebrae often lack rigid attachment to adjacent vertebrae, are difficult to manipulate during surgery, and require external components, leading to complexity and potential loss of parts.
Innovation Solution
A stand-alone spinal implant with a spinal cage and movably attached staples that securely fasten to vertebrae, eliminating the need for external components and simplifying the surgical process by using a design that allows for rotational movement and secure fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional implants are rigidly attached to vertebrae using screws, then the implant stability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to difficult and time-consuming manipulation
Solution Approach 1:
The staple integrates the attachment function and the implant function into a single unified component. The staple comprises a body portion that forms part of the implant structure and a leg portion that penetrates the bone to provide attachment, eliminating the need for separate screws or external components while maintaining secure fixation.
2Reliability
If conventional implants require external components for attachment, then the attachment function is achieved, but the device complexity increases and parts can be lost
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment structure is merged with the implant body to form an integrated staple component. The staple's body portion serves as the implant while its leg portions provide the attachment function, creating a stand-alone device with no separate external components that could be lost during surgery.
Solution Approach 2:
The staple serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the implant body to restore spinal spacing, provides attachment to the vertebrae through its leg portions, and maintains structural integrity as a single component. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate attachment components.
3Ease of operation
If conventional implants are not rigidly attached to vertebrae, then the ease of operation is improved, but the implant may move to a less than optimum location
Solution Approach 1:
The staple incorporates movable leg portions that can be inserted into the bone after the implant is positioned. This dynamic approach allows the implant to be placed first (maintaining ease of operation) and then secured through the insertion of the leg portions (ensuring position stability).
Data Source
AI summary
A spinal implant having a spinal cage and a plurality of staples. The spinal cage is configured to be positioned in an intervertebral space between adjacent vertebrae. The plurality of staples are moveably disposed on the spinal cage and configured to be inserted into the adjacent vertebrae so as to secure the spinal cage in the intervertebral space when the spinal cage is positioned therein. A method of securing the spinal implant within the intervertebral space.