Telescoping Interbody Implant for Vertebral Distraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current interbody fusion devices require significant bone removal and tissue retraction, and often necessitate vertebral distraction during implantation, which can be invasive and complicated, especially due to their size and profile requirements.
Innovation Solution
The development of an interbody implant with elongate members that can transition through multiple configurations, allowing for a smaller delivery profile and a larger expanded profile within the intervertebral space, utilizing spanning components that deform and telescope to increase width, thereby minimizing distraction and facilitating easier insertion and expansion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the implant is designed with a larger profile to provide adequate support and fusion surface area, then the support and fusion capability is improved, but the delivery complexity and bone removal required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The implant transitions from a compressed delivery configuration to an expanded deployed configuration. The body changes shape dynamically during implantation, allowing it to be delivered in a compact form and then expand to provide the necessary support surface area within the intervertebral disc space.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant body is designed with nested or telescoping structures that allow it to be compressed into a smaller delivery profile. The various components and structural elements can be nested within each other during delivery, then deployed to achieve the larger final configuration that provides adequate support.
2Ease of operation
If the implant profile is reduced for easier delivery, then the delivery ease is improved, but the support and fusion capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The implant is designed to be dynamic rather than static, transitioning from a compressed state during delivery to an expanded state after implantation. This allows the same structure to provide both easy delivery and adequate support strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant body is divided into segments or sections that can be compressed relative to each other during delivery, then locked or expanded to provide the necessary structural support for fusion.
3Volume of stationary object
If bone removal is increased to create adequate space for the implant, then the implantation space is improved, but the surgical invasiveness and complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The implant's ability to expand after delivery allows it to fill the available intervertebral disc space more effectively without requiring extensive bone removal. The dynamic expansion occurs within the existing anatomical boundaries.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant changes its physical parameters (size, volume, shape) after delivery. By compressing the implant before delivery and then allowing it to expand in situ, the procedure minimizes the initial space requirement and reduces the need for aggressive bone removal.
4Ease of operation
If vertebral distraction is performed to facilitate implant insertion, then the implantation ease is improved, but the procedural complexity and risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The implant itself provides the distraction function through its expansion mechanism. As the implant expands from its compressed to expanded configuration, it naturally distracts the vertebral bodies, eliminating the need for separate distraction maneuvers.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant combines multiple functions into a single device: structural support, space occupation, and vertebral distraction. The expansion of the implant body simultaneously achieves all three objectives, simplifying the overall procedure.
Data Source
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AI summary
An interbody implant comprises one or more elongate members that have superior and inferior surfaces with a height, and medial and lateral surfaces having a width. The height is set so the implant fits into the intervertebral space. The width is less than the height. The interbody implant has a first configuration, a second configuration, and a third configuration. The interbody implant is inserted into the intervertebral space in the first configuration such that medial and lateral surfaces contact the vertebral bodies, and the interbody implant is then actuated into the second configuration such that superior and inferior surfaces engage the vertebral bodies. Actuation of the implant from the first configuration to the second configuration distracts the vertebral bodies. The implant is actuated into the third configuration where the width of the implant is greater than width of the implant in the first or the second configuration.