Spinal Implant Oblique Fastener Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal implant systems face challenges in accessing and stabilizing intervertebral spaces due to the location of musculature and neural structures, particularly during surgical procedures for spinal disorders like degenerative disc disease and spondylolisthesis, where traditional methods may fail to provide adequate fixation and lordotic correction.
Innovation Solution
A spinal implant system with an oblique opening and cavity design allows for the oblique insertion of bone fasteners and includes a slidable inserter aperture, enabling fixation through an oblique pathway, facilitating lordotic correction and stabilization of vertebral bodies using interbody implants and posterior fixation devices like pedicle screws and spinal rods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional spinal implant methods are used to access intervertebral spaces, then surgical procedures can be performed, but tissue damage increases and fixation stability decreases due to the location of musculature and neural structures
Solution Approach 1:
The implant body provides multiple openings at different orientations (oblique, lateral, anterior, posterior) to allow fastener insertion from various dimensional directions. This enables the surgeon to access the intervertebral space through the most favorable anatomical pathway that avoids musculature and neural structures, thereby reducing tissue damage while maintaining fixation stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant allows changing the insertion angle and direction parameters by selecting different openings based on anatomical constraints. The oblique opening specifically enables fastener insertion at non-traditional angles that navigate around sensitive structures, reducing harmful tissue interaction while achieving reliable vertebral fixation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed opening orientations are used in spinal implants, then manufacturing is simplified, but adaptability to different anatomical configurations and surgical approaches is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The implant body is designed as a universal device with multiple openings (oblique, lateral, anterior, posterior) that can accommodate different surgical approaches and anatomical configurations. This multi-functional design allows the same implant to be used across various surgical scenarios, enhancing adaptability without requiring multiple specialized implant types.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant's opening structure is segmented into multiple distinct openings rather than a single fixed opening. Each opening serves a specific directional function, allowing the surgeon to select the appropriate opening based on the surgical approach and patient anatomy, thereby providing versatility while maintaining a relatively simple overall implant structure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If oblique fastener insertion is enabled, then lordotic correction capability is improved, but the implant structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The implant incorporates an oblique opening with a specific asymmetric orientation that is optimized for lordotic correction. This asymmetric design allows fasteners to be inserted at the precise angle needed to achieve lordotic alignment, providing enhanced correction capability. The asymmetric opening configuration is integrated into the overall implant structure, balancing the added complexity with the significant functional benefit of improved lordotic correction.
Data Source
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AI summary
A spinal implant comprises an implant body extending between an anterior surface and a posterior surface, and including a first vertebral engaging surface and a second vertebral engaging surface. The implant body includes an inner surface that defines at least one opening oriented to implant a fastener oblique relative to a lateral axis of a subject body and adjacent an intervertebral space of the subject body. The implant body defining a cavity such that a surgical instrument is connectable with the implant body adjacent the cavity and movable relative to the implant body. Systems, surgical instruments and methods are disclosed.