Spinal Implant With Distinct Surface Topographies
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional spinal implants face challenges such as improper seating, subsidence, poor biomechanical integrity, damage to critical bone structures, and limited integration with vertebral bone, among others, during anterior spinal fusion procedures.
Innovation Solution
The development of interbody spinal implants with three distinct surfaces: an integration surface with macro, micro, and nano features for bone integration; a graft contact surface with micro and nano features to promote bone remodeling; and a soft tissue surface with nano features for low friction and tissue protection, designed to enhance stability and fusion while minimizing tissue damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional spinal implants are used, then the procedure can be performed, but improper seating and subsidence occur
Solution Approach 1:
The implant surface is divided into distinct zones with different properties: a roughened integration surface for bone engagement, a smooth soft tissue surface for low friction, and a graft contact surface for bone remodeling. This local differentiation allows each surface to perform its specific function optimally, preventing both improper seating and subsidence while maintaining ease of installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant is segmented into multiple functional surfaces (integration surface, graft contact surface, soft tissue surface) with distinct topographies. Each surface is independently optimized for its specific purpose, allowing the implant to achieve stable seating without requiring excessive installation force that could cause subsidence.
2Strength
If traditional implants are used, then basic fusion can be achieved, but poor biomechanical integrity of endplates occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The integration surface features a roughened topography with controlled macro, micro, and nano features that specifically engage with endplate bone structures. This localized optimization provides enhanced biomechanical integrity at the endplate interface while maintaining overall fusion reliability through the combined effect of all three surfaces.
3Productivity
If traditional implants are used, then implantation can proceed, but critical bone structures are damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The soft tissue surface is specifically designed with a smooth topography to minimize friction and prevent damage to soft tissues and critical bone structures during implantation. This localized smooth surface reduces harmful mechanical interactions while the roughened integration surface maintains efficient bone engagement, thus preserving bone structure integrity without compromising implantation efficiency.
4Stability of the object's composition
If traditional implants are used, then basic stability can be achieved, but insufficient room for bone graft occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The implant incorporates a substantially hollow center that segments the internal volume, creating dedicated space for bone graft containment. This hollow structure provides stability through the implant body while simultaneously offering sufficient volume for bone graft placement, resolving the contradiction between stability and graft containment space.
5Ease of operation
If traditional implants are used, then insertion can be performed, but implant expulsion occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The integration surface features a roughened topography that creates strong frictional engagement with bone structures, preventing implant expulsion. This localized rough surface provides retention without requiring excessive insertion force, thus maintaining ease of operation while ensuring reliable implant retention through the combined effect of all three surfaces.
Data Source
AI summary
An interbody spinal implant (1) having at least three distinct surfaces (10, 60a, 70a) including at least one integration surface having a roughened surface topography (80) including macro features, micro features, and nano features, without sharp teeth that risk damage to bone structures; at least one graft contact surface having a coarse surface topography including micro features and nano features; and at least one soft tissue surface having a substantially smooth surface including nano features. Also disclosed are processes of fabricating the different surface topographies, which may include separate macro processing, micro processing, and nano processing steps.