Steerable Interbody Fusion Cage with Central Hinge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current intervertebral fusion cage techniques, such as PLIF and TLIF, often require large dissections and weaken posterior elements, leading to increased morbidity and inadequate anatomic correction, especially during anterior in-situ cage placement.
Innovation Solution
A steerable interbody fusion cage with a streamlined, slender design and a central hinge or articulating apparatus that allows for minimally invasive placement, enabling direct posterior lumbar interbody approach with preservation of critical bone elements, and can be steered anterior-medially within the disc space to an anterior-central position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional PLIF and TLIF approaches are used with standard cages, then spinal fusion can be achieved, but large dissections are required and posterior elements are weakened, leading to increased morbidity
Solution Approach 1:
The cage is divided into multiple segments or sections that can be independently manipulated. The articulating mechanism allows different portions of the cage to move relative to each other, enabling the cage to navigate through confined surgical pathways without requiring large dissections of surrounding tissues and bone structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The cage incorporates an articulating mechanism that transforms it from a static structure to a dynamic one. This articulating cage can change its configuration and orientation during insertion, allowing it to be placed through minimally invasive approaches while maintaining stability once positioned, thereby reducing morbidity associated with traditional open approaches.
2Stability of the object's composition
If standard interbody fusion cages are used, then vertebral stabilization can be achieved, but adequate anatomic correction is difficult during anterior in-situ cage placement
Solution Approach 1:
The articulating cage allows for dynamic adjustment of its position and orientation after initial insertion. The articulating mechanism enables real-time steering and positioning adjustments, allowing surgeons to achieve precise anatomic correction and optimal vertebral alignment without requiring complex pre-planning or multiple insertion attempts.
Solution Approach 2:
The cage design incorporates parameters that can be changed during insertion, such as articulation angle, orientation, and position. These adjustable parameters allow the cage to be precisely positioned to achieve the desired anatomic correction and vertebral alignment, improving upon the fixed-geometry limitations of standard cages.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If minimally invasive approaches are used with steerable cages, then tissue damage is reduced, but device complexity increases due to articulating mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The articulating mechanism is segmented into discrete, modular components that can be independently manufactured and assembled. This segmentation simplifies the manufacturing process and allows for easier sterilization and handling, reducing the practical complexity despite the enhanced functionality for minimally invasive placement.
4Ease of operation
If conventional cage designs are used, then placement is straightforward, but precise steering within the disc space is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The articulating cage maintains ease of operation through its dynamic design. The articulating mechanism responds intuitively to surgical manipulation, allowing the cage to be steered and positioned with simple manual control. This dynamic responsiveness combines the simplicity of conventional cage placement with the precision of steerable navigation, eliminating the need for complex control systems.
Data Source
AI summary
Intervertebral spacers, such as interbody vertebral cages, that facilitate minimally-invasive corrective restoration surgeries, and related methods. In some implementations, an introducer may be used introduce an intervertebral spacer in a first, straightened shape into an intervertebral disc space. The introducer may engage a plurality of adjacent recesses of the intervertebral spacer to maintain the intervertebral spacer in the first, straightened shape during introduction. An introducer, in some cases the same introducer, may be used to articulate the intervertebral spacer by actuating at least one hinge of the intervertebral spacer such that the intervertebral spacer assumes a second, curved shape once within the intervertebral disc space.