Trial Cage Guided Bone Cement Reinforcement for Disc Implant Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional artificial intervertebral disc implantation surgery risks endplate fracture and settling due to osteoporosis, making it difficult to maintain the intervertebral space height and often requiring revision surgery.
Innovation Solution
A treatment device comprising a trial cage with guide holes for bone drill needle and bone cement filling tube, allowing bone tunnels to be formed and filled with cement to reinforce vertebrae before inserting the artificial intervertebral disc.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional artificial intervertebral disc implantation surgery is performed, then the intervertebral disc can be replaced, but the artificial intervertebral disc may dig into the endplates causing fracture and settling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing bone cement reinforcement of the vertebral bodies before inserting the artificial intervertebral disc. The trial cage is first inserted to determine the appropriate size, then bone cement is injected into the vertebral bodies through guide holes to strengthen them before the final implantation. This preventive measure addresses the underlying osteoporosis issue and prevents endplate fracture and settling before they can occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses bone cement as an intermediary substance to transfer and distribute mechanical loads away from the artificial intervertebral disc to the reinforced vertebral bodies. The bone cement acts as a mediator that strengthens the connection between the vertebrae and the implant, preventing direct contact and dig into the endplates while maintaining the stability of the artificial disc.
2Strength
If bone cement is injected to reinforce vertebrae, then the vertebrae strength is improved, but the operation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the bone cement injection process into discrete, controlled steps through multiple guide holes positioned at specific locations in the vertebral bodies. Each guide hole allows targeted injection into specific regions, enabling efficient distribution of bone cement without requiring excessive time for comprehensive reinforcement. The segmented approach allows parallel processing of multiple vertebral bodies.
Solution Approach 2:
The trial cage serves multiple functions: it acts as a guide for bone cement injection, a template for positioning guide holes, and a temporary spacer during the reinforcement process. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized instruments and procedures, thereby minimizing the overall operation time while still achieving comprehensive vertebral reinforcement.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple instruments are used for bone cement injection and guide hole formation, then the bone cement injection accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of guide hole formation and bone cement injection by using the same trial cage structure to serve as both a guide template and an injection device. The guide holes are formed through the trial cage head, and the same structure provides the pathway for bone cement delivery. This integration eliminates the need for separate guide wires and injection devices, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining injection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The trial cage performs self-service by providing its own guide holes for bone cement injection without requiring additional specialized instruments. The structure of the trial cage itself is utilized to create the necessary pathways and delivery mechanisms, eliminating the need for separate surgical tools and simplifying the overall procedure while maintaining precision in bone cement placement.
Data Source
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AI summary
A treatment device comprising a trial cage, a bone drill needle, and a bone cement filling tube, wherein the trial cage has a head of a predetermined thickness, width, and length, and a support rod that supports the head at the longitudinal end of the head. the head has a flat surface that defines the predetermined thickness and at least one guide hole, the guide hole penetrates the head in the thickness direction from the distal side of the head toward one of a flat surfaces and allows passage of respective tip sections of the bone drill needle and the bone cement filling tube. A treatment device used in procedures prior to the insertion of an artificial intervertebral disc into an intervertebral disc space that is capable of forming bone tunnels in vertebrae above and below the artificial intervertebral disc, filling bone cement through those tunnels while the same device is inserted, and reinforcing the vertebrae above and below a cage can be provided.