Spinal Implant Cap Alignment via Guide Wire
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spinal implants that hold filler material, such as bone graft, often fail to ensure sufficient contact between the filler and vertebral bodies due to difficulties in aligning and securing the implant's two-piece construct.
Innovation Solution
A spinal implant system comprising a main body with a cavity for holding filler and a cap that connects via an elongated member, allowing the cap to be slid onto the main body after insertion between vertebral bodies and secured using securement members for permanent attachment, facilitating consistent alignment and securement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a two-piece spinal implant construct is used to ensure filler contact with vertebral bodies, then the filler material contact with vertebral bodies is improved, but the alignment and securement difficulty between first and second portions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spinal implant is divided into two separate portions: a first portion that can be inserted into the disc space and packed with filler, and a second portion (cap) that is subsequently inserted and coupled to enclose the filler. This segmentation allows the filler to be properly positioned and contacted with vertebral bodies while maintaining the ability to assemble the components separately.
Solution Approach 2:
An elongated member (guide wire) serves as an intermediary element that extends from the first portion and facilitates the alignment and securement of the second portion. The guide wire provides a physical reference and mechanical guide for coupling the cap to the main body, solving the alignment difficulty inherent in two-piece constructs.
2Ease of operation
If the cap is inserted before the filler to enclose it, then the alignment of implant portions is improved, but the filler insertion and contact with vertebral bodies becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The first portion of the implant is inserted into the disc space and packed with filler material before the second portion (cap) is inserted. This preliminary action of filling the cavity before closure ensures that the filler is properly positioned and can contact the vertebral bodies, while the cap is subsequently coupled to enclose the filler.
3Ease of operation
If a two-piece construct is used to allow filler insertion after positioning, then the filler insertion ease is improved, but the securement reliability of the first and second portions decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The elongated member (guide wire) acts as a mediator that provides both alignment guidance and securement function. It extends from the first portion and facilitates the coupling of the second portion, ensuring reliable connection while allowing the filler to be inserted after the main body is positioned in the disc space.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for implanting a spinal implant between two vertebral bodies are provided. The spinal implant may include a main body adapted to rest between and adjacent to the two vertebral bodies, the main body having a cavity therein adapted to hold a filler and a cap adapted to connect to the main body where the cap is connectable after the main body has been inserted between the vertebral bodies and after the filler has been inserted into the cavity of the main body. The cap is securable to the main body by means of a securement member providing for a permanent connection between the main body and the cap.