Telescoping Interspinous Fixation Device for Minimally Invasive Spinal Fusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal implants, particularly those for fusion, require invasive surgical procedures and long recovery times due to the need for rigid hardware and extensive tissue manipulation, limiting the effectiveness of minimally invasive techniques.
Innovation Solution
A telescoping spinous process fusion plate with a compact insertion state and expandable configuration, featuring adjustable extensions and fasteners, allows for percutaneous implantation and tissue ingrowth, facilitating less invasive surgery and promoting vertebral fusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional rigid spinal fusion hardware is used, then vertebral stabilization is achieved, but surgical invasiveness increases and recovery time extends
Solution Approach 1:
The fusion plate is divided into multiple segments or modular components that can be assembled in a compact configuration for minimally invasive insertion, then expanded or configured to the final stabilization structure within the body, reducing surgical trauma while maintaining stabilization reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The implant components are designed to nest within each other in a compact state for percutaneous delivery through small incisions, then deployed to their functional configuration inside the interspinous space, enabling minimally invasive access to deep spinal structures
2Reliability
If extensive tissue manipulation is performed for implant placement, then secure fixation is achieved, but tissue trauma increases and recovery is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The implant design incorporates self-aligning features and self-retaining mechanisms that reduce the need for extensive manual tissue manipulation and complex fixation procedures, allowing the device to secure itself with minimal surgical intervention and tissue disruption
Solution Approach 2:
The implant provides localized fixation at specific attachment points rather than requiring broad tissue manipulation across the entire surgical site, concentrating the stabilization function at key interfaces while minimizing overall tissue trauma
3Ease of operation
If compact implant design is used, then minimally invasive implantation is enabled, but expansion to functional size requires additional complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The implant transitions from a static compact delivery configuration to a dynamic expanded functional configuration through a controlled mechanism that can be actuated during or after implantation, allowing the device to adapt its size and shape to the surgical site requirements
4Reliability
If rigid spacers and fusion hardware are implanted, then vertebral spacing is restored, but surgical complexity and recovery time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The implant utilizes material property changes or structural transformations after implantation (such as bone ingrowth through porous structures or gradual integration with surrounding tissue) that enable spacing restoration while reducing the need for prolonged recovery and rehabilitation
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides spinous process implants and associated methods. In one aspect of the invention, the implant includes at least one extension with a first part and a second part where at least one arm is coupled to each of the first part and the second part. The first part and the second part are movable from a compact to a distracted state. In another aspect, the present invention provides a second extension that is slidingly coupled to the first and second arms. The second extension further comprises a third part and a fourth part that move with the first and second part.