Spinal Construct With Segmented Rods And Spacer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current spinal implant technologies often fail to effectively address spinal disorders such as degenerative disc disease, disc herniation, and osteoporosis, as they may not provide sufficient mechanical support and can compromise nerve preservation during surgical procedures.

Innovation Solution

A spinal construct comprising horseshoe-shaped endplates with rod recesses and a spacer nut system, allowing for precise alignment and spacing between vertebral bodies, which can be easily maneuvered around nerve roots to restore mechanical support while preserving peripheral nerves, using a minimally invasive approach.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If traditional spinal implants are used to provide mechanical support, then structural support is improved, but nerve damage risk increases due to limited maneuverability around nerve roots

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical supportVSAvoidnerve damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The spinal implant is divided into separate components including endplates and rods that can be independently positioned and secured, allowing surgeons to maneuver each component around nerve roots separately rather than as a single rigid unit

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The rod acts as an intermediary element that connects the endplates while allowing for adjustment and positioning that accommodates nerve root locations, providing mechanical support without direct contact with or damage to the nerves

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If complex spinal implant systems are used to enhance stability, then mechanical support is improved, but device complexity increases making the procedure more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespinal stabilityVSAvoidimplant system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The endplates and rods are designed to work together as an integrated system where the combined structure provides enhanced stability while maintaining relative simplicity in individual component design and assembly procedure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If traditional implant designs are used, then ease of manufacture is maintained, but graft pocket area is reduced limiting bone growth potential

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidgraft pocket area

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The rod design incorporates three-dimensional surface features and contours that create additional graft pocket area without increasing the overall footprint or complicating the manufacturing process significantly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3021772B1Spinal construct

Publication Date: 2020.03.18 WARSAW ORTHOPEDIC INC

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AI summary

A spinal construct includes a first member including a surface that defines a first cavity and a second cavity. The first member is configured to engage a first vertebral surface. A second member includes a surface that defines a first cavity and a second cavity. The second member is configured to engage a second vertebral surface. The members are spaced and the first cavities are disposed in substantial alignment such that at least one first rod is disposed in the first cavities and the second cavities are disposed in substantial alignment such that a plurality of second rods are disposed in the second cavities and spaced via at least one spacer disposed between the second rods within at least one of the second cavities. Systems and methods are disclosed.