Spinal Implant With Independent Expansion for Angular Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional expandable spinal implants are constrained to expand either the trailing or leading end portions together, or both simultaneously, limiting their ability to independently adjust lordotic, kyphotic, and coronal angulation.

Innovation Solution

An expandable spinal implant with independently expandable portions, facilitated by a design that allows for independent expansion of the trailing and leading ends using screws that translate moveable portions along channels, enabling independent adjustment of lordosis/kyphosis and/or coronal angulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional expandable spinal implants are designed with unified expansion features, then the structure is simpler and easier to manufacture, but the ability to independently adjust lordotic, kyphotic, and coronal angulation is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent adjustment capabilityVSAvoidexpansion feature configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The implant is divided into a first expandable portion and a second expandable portion, each with independent expansion capabilities. The first portion includes first expansion features while the second portion includes second expansion features, allowing separate control of expansion in different regions to achieve independent adjustment of angulation parameters

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The implant incorporates moveable portions that can be independently positioned within channels of the expandable portions. These moveable portions allow dynamic adjustment of the implant's configuration, enabling independent control over lordotic, kyphotic, and coronal angulation through selective expansion of different portions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If conventional expandable implants expand trailing and leading end portions together, then the expansion mechanism is simpler, but the precision of angular adjustment is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveangular adjustment precisionVSAvoidexpansion operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The expansion mechanism is segmented into first and second expansion features that can be activated independently. This allows precise control over which portion (trailing or leading end) expands and by how much, enabling fine-tuned angular adjustments without requiring complex coordinated expansion of both portions simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

Enables independent expansion of spinal implant portions to adjust lordosis/kyphosis and/or coronal angulation, providing greater flexibility and adjustment capabilities compared to conventional implants.

Implementation Method 1

screws that translate moveable portions along channels

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectScrew mechanism: Screw

Data Source

PatentEP4210639B1Spinal implant with features facilitating independent expansion of portions thereof

Publication Date: 2025.09.10 WARSAW ORTHOPEDIC INC

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AI summary

An expandable spinal implant having a first portion and a second portion is provided. The expandable implant includes a first moveable portion and a second moveable portion attached to the first portion. The first moveable portion and the second moveable portion are moveable independently of one another. The movement of the first moveable portion and the second moveable portion facilitate independent expansion of a trailing end portion and a leading end portion of the expandable implant.