Elastic Sidewall Spinal Cage Structure to Prevent Subsidence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spinal cages inserted between vertebrae often suffer from subsidence due to inadequate pressure absorption, leading to surface subsidence into the vertebrae.
Innovation Solution
A spinal cage design featuring a bone support portion, a base portion, and a sidewall portion with elastic and inelastic bands that absorb and distribute pressure, including an elastic band with varying elasticity and inelastic bands with lower elasticity, and a structure that allows for elastic deformation to support the vertebrae.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a solid metal cage structure is used to maintain spinal height, then structural strength is improved, but pressure absorption capability deteriorates causing subsidence
Solution Approach 1:
The cage sidewalls are segmented into multiple bands (first band, second band, third band) with different elasticity characteristics. Each band acts as an independent pressure absorption unit, allowing the structure to maintain strength while distributing and absorbing pressure through multiple discrete elements rather than a solid continuous wall.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the cage have different elastic properties. The first band has higher elasticity for initial pressure absorption, the second band has medium elasticity for intermediate pressure levels, and the third band has lower elasticity for sustained load bearing. This local differentiation of material properties enables the cage to absorb pressure effectively while maintaining overall structural integrity.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid cage structure is used to support vertebrae, then spinal stability is improved, but adaptability to pressure changes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cage transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic adaptive structure through the inclusion of elastic bands. These bands can deform in response to varying pressure conditions, allowing the cage to adapt its stiffness and shape according to the mechanical environment while maintaining spinal stability through controlled elastic deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The cage utilizes bands with different elasticity parameters to respond to changing pressure conditions. When pressure increases, the elastic bands deform, changing the effective stiffness parameter of the cage structure. This parameter change allows the cage to adapt to different loading conditions while maintaining overall spinal stability.
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 design effectively relieves pressure between vertebrae, preventing subsidence and maintaining the integrity of the spinal cage.
Implementation Method 1
a sidewall portion which has an upper side end connected to an edge of the bone support portion and a lower side end connected to an edge of the base portion to support the bone support portion relative to the base portion and which includes an elastic band having elasticity
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3A
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a spinal cage. According to the present disclosure, a spinal cage includes a bone support portion disposed between a first vertebra at an upper side and a second vertebra at a lower side to support the first vertebra, a base portion positioned at a lower side of the bone support portion to come in contact with the second vertebra, and a sidewall portion which has an upper side end connected to an edge of the bone support portion and a lower side end connected to an edge of the base portion and includes an elastic band having elasticity and inelastic bands having relatively lower elasticity or no elasticity. Therefore, subsidence of the spinal cage into vertebrae can be suppressed.