Spinal Implant Telescoping Locking Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current implants for treating Thoracic Insufficiency Syndrome associated with thoracic spine and rib cage deformities face issues such as migration, implant prominence, soft tissue breakdown, and infection, lacking a standard treatment that optimizes thoracic growth and lung development.
Innovation Solution
A modular implant system comprising proximal and distal extensions with a locking mechanism and distractor instrument, utilizing ratchet teeth and clamping elements for secure attachment to anatomical regions, allowing for controlled distraction and expansion to address deformities and promote thoracic growth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current implants are used for treating Thoracic Insufficiency Syndrome, then thoracic expansion can be maintained, but migration and soft tissue breakdown occur
Solution Approach 1:
The implant utilizes a mesh structure that provides flexibility and conformability to the thoracic cage, distributing forces across a larger surface area to prevent soft tissue breakdown while maintaining structural integrity for thoracic expansion
Solution Approach 2:
The implant is designed as a modular system with multiple segments that can be adjusted and secured at different positions, preventing migration while allowing customization to fit the patient's anatomy and reduce localized pressure on soft tissues
2Duration of action of moving object
If implants are expanded every 4 to 6 months to maintain thoracic expansion, then lung growth is supported, but implant prominence and infection risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The implant incorporates an expandable mechanism that allows controlled enlargement over time to accommodate thoracic growth, reducing the need for frequent surgical interventions while maintaining proper fit and minimizing infection risk through reduced surgical exposure
Solution Approach 2:
The implant uses a telescoping or nested structure where inner components can be adjusted or expanded within the outer shell, allowing for growth accommodation through minimal access procedures that reduce infection risk compared to complete implant replacement or major surgery
3Reliability
If a modular implant system with locking mechanism is used, then secure attachment is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The implant is divided into modular components that can be independently positioned and locked, allowing for precise attachment security while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through standardized connection interfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is pre-configured or pre-loaded during implantation, allowing for secure attachment to be achieved through a single surgical procedure rather than requiring complex multi-step locking operations, thereby reducing surgical time and complexity
Data Source
AI summary
An implant system for correcting deformities is provided. The implant system includes A proximal extension having a hollow interior and a distal extension configured to be received within the hollow interior of the proximal extension. The implant system also includes a locking element configured to lock the distal extension from moving with respect to the proximal extension. The distal extension is configured with ratchet teeth on a top surface for interacting with a distractor instrument for contacting or distracting the distal extension with respect to the proximal extension. The proximal extension and distal extension are configured to receive clamping elements for coupling to the implant to anatomical regions of the body.