Spinal Implant Web Structure for Bone Growth and Load Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spinal implants with large rims impede bone growth, reduce the size of the bone column, and fail to distribute loads evenly, leading to regional resorption and potential stress risers in vertebral endplates.
Innovation Solution
The use of a web structure with a micro truss design in spinal implants, which extends throughout the implant to reinforce it along multiple planes, provide increased area for bone graft fusion, and distribute forces to reduce stress concentration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If large rims are used in implants to provide contact area with vertebral endplates, then the implant stability is improved, but bone growth is impeded and the size of the bone column is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The implant structure is segmented into multiple components: a central body with open channels, web structures with micro trusses, and rims. This segmentation allows the rims to provide necessary contact area for stability while the open channels and web structures permit bone growth through the implant, effectively resolving the contradiction between implant stability and bone column size preservation
Solution Approach 2:
The implant incorporates porous structures including open channels through the central body and micro truss web structures. These porous elements allow bone ingrowth and through-growth, enabling the implant to maintain stability through biological integration rather than relying solely on large rim contact areas, thus preserving bone column size
2Stability of the object's composition
If large rims are used in implants to provide contact area with vertebral endplates, then the implant stability is improved, but load distribution is prevented and regional resorption is activated
Solution Approach 1:
The load-bearing function is segmented from the rims to the central body and web structures. The open channels and micro trusses allow loads to be distributed through multiple pathways, preventing concentration at the rim-endplate interface and eliminating the harmful regional resorption effect while maintaining overall implant stability
Solution Approach 2:
The implant design transitions from a two-dimensional rim contact model to a three-dimensional load distribution system with open channels and web structures extending through the implant volume. This dimensional change enables loads to be distributed throughout the entire implant-bone interface rather than concentrated at the rim edges
3Reliability
If open channels are used in implant design to allow bone growth, then bone integration is improved, but compressive forces cannot be absorbed and stress risers are created in vertebral endplates
Solution Approach 1:
The implant employs a composite structural approach combining solid rim and body materials with open channel voids and micro truss web structures. This composite design allows the solid portions to bear compressive loads while the open channels facilitate bone integration, resolving the contradiction between bone integration and compressive force absorption by distributing both functions across different structural elements
Solution Approach 2:
The central body and web structures serve multiple functions simultaneously: providing structural support for compressive loads, enabling bone growth through open channels, and distributing forces evenly. This multi-functionality eliminates the need to choose between bone integration and compressive strength, as both are achieved through the same integrated structure
4Strength
If bone graft material is packed at high pressure to prevent loosening, then fusion strength is improved, but the high-pressure state is difficult to create and maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The implant structure is designed with open channels and web structures that inherently maintain a compression environment on the bone graft material throughout the fusion process. This preliminary structural design eliminates the need for complex high-pressure packing devices and maintenance mechanisms, while still achieving strong fusion through sustained compression and enhanced bone ingrowth pathways
Data Source
AI summary
Various examples of implant systems and related apparatus, and methods of operating the same are described herein. In various embodiments, a securing device is coupled to an implant. The securing device may be used to secure the implant to human tissue (e.g., bone tissue) after the implant is positioned on the tissue. The securing device may include anchor devices that move through the body of the implant and penetrate the human tissue. With the anchor devices moved through the implant, first ends of the anchor devices may engage with the human tissue while second ends of the anchor devices engage the implant body, thereby securing the implant to the human tissue.