Spinal Interbody Implant Nose Profile for Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional interbody implants for spinal fusion require substantial manipulation forces during implantation, leading to high stresses on the vertebrae and difficulties in accurate placement due to their design, which includes flats and transition corners that inhibit rotational manipulation.
Innovation Solution
The interbody implant features a nose portion with a small cross-sectional area at the distal end and a gradually sloping outer surface, reducing torsional manipulation forces, along with a guide wire system for precise alignment and insertion, facilitating easier rotation and reduced force requirements during implantation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional interbody implants with flats and transition corners are used, then structural strength is maintained, but rotational manipulation is inhibited and high stresses are applied to vertebrae during insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The nose portion is designed with a rounded, curved cross-section instead of flats and transition corners. This curvature eliminates the mechanical interlocking that would resist rotation, allowing the implant to rotate easily during insertion while the overall structural integrity is maintained through the curved geometry and material properties.
2Force
If conventional interbody implants are used, then implantation is achieved, but substantial manipulation forces are required causing high stresses on vertebrae
Solution Approach 1:
The implant is segmented into a cage portion and a separate nose portion. The nose portion acts as a dedicated insertion aid with a rounded cross-section that facilitates easy rotation and insertion, while the cage portion maintains the structural function. This segmentation allows the insertion forces to be minimized without compromising the overall strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The cross-sectional geometry of the nose portion is changed from conventional shapes with flats and corners to a rounded profile. This parameter change in geometry reduces the manipulation forces required during insertion, thereby reducing the stresses transmitted to the vertebrae while maintaining adequate structural strength for implantation.
3Measurement precision
If conventional interbody implant designs are used, then insertion is achieved, but accurate placement is difficult due to inhibited rotational manipulation
Solution Approach 1:
The rounded cross-section of the nose portion eliminates the mechanical resistance to rotation that characterizes conventional designs with flats and corners. This allows the surgeon to easily rotate the implant during insertion to achieve the desired orientation and accurate placement, directly improving placement precision through enhanced rotational maneuverability.
Data Source
AI summary
An interbody implant and inserter tool for spinal fusion. The interbody implant includes a cage portion and a nose portion. In some embodiments, an outer surface of the nose portion defines at least a first concave profile in a first direction, and may define a second concave profile in a second direction, the second direction being perpendicular to the first direction. The outer surface may also define an oblong cross-section normal to a nose axis. The oblong cross-section may be axisymmetric or continuously curved (or both) about the nose axis. The concave profile(s) enable easier initial insertion of for more precisely locating the interbody implant, so that the greater insertion forces required during implantation do not occur until the interbody implant is securely and accurately placed.