Spinal Implant Extender with Expandable Capture Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical systems for treating spinal disorders, such as scoliosis and degenerative disc disease, face challenges in providing stable and efficient implant delivery and fixation, particularly in maintaining proper alignment and supporting vertebral members during healing.
Innovation Solution
The spinal implant system includes an extender with expandable capture members and a bone fastener that can be axially translated to capture and release vertebral constructs, allowing for secure fixation and adjustment to accommodate different vertebral sizes and orientations, facilitating minimally invasive procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional spinal implant systems are used, then implant delivery and fixation can be performed, but stability and efficiency during implant delivery are insufficient, particularly in maintaining proper alignment and supporting vertebral members during healing
Solution Approach 1:
The implant system is divided into multiple functional components: an extender with expandable capture members, a separate actuator mechanism, and modular bone fasteners. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall system stability during implant delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The capture members are designed to be dynamically expandable and collapsible through the actuator mechanism. This dynamic capability enables the system to adapt its configuration during different stages of implant delivery, providing enhanced stability when needed and facilitating easier manipulation when required.
2Stability of the object's composition
If expandable capture members are used to secure bone fasteners, then fixation stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The capture members are designed to automatically engage and secure the bone fastener through their expandable geometry. When actuated, the capture members self-adjust to encompass the bone fastener securely without requiring additional fastening mechanisms or complex locking systems, thereby achieving stable fixation with relatively simple mechanics.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the extender is designed to accommodate different vertebral sizes and orientations, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The axial slots in the extender are designed with non-uniform cross-sectional dimensions, being wider at certain locations and narrower at others. This local variation in geometry allows the slots to accommodate bone fasteners of different sizes and orientations while maintaining manufacturability, as each section of the slot is optimized for its specific functional requirement rather than requiring uniform high precision throughout.
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
This system enables secure and adjustable fixation of vertebral constructs, enhancing stability and alignment during spinal surgery, while allowing for easy implantation and removal, thus improving surgical efficiency and patient outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
The intermediate portion has at least one ramp and the projection is slidably engageable with the at least one ramp for movement to a second position
Data Source
AI summary
An extender comprises a first extension including a first wall and extending between a proximal end and a distal end. The first wall defines an axial cavity including a distal portion, at least one ramp and a proximal portion. A second extension includes a projection. The projection is disposable in a first position with the distal portion of the axial cavity and the distal end of the first extension is disposed in a non-expanded orientation. The projection is slidably engageable with the at least one ramp for movement to a second position such that the projection is disposed with the proximal portion of the axial cavity and the distal end of the first extension is disposed in an expanded orientation. Methods of use are disclosed.