Unilateral Intervertebral Insert with Curved Lower Edge

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional lumbar interbody fusion techniques result in significant bleeding, slow patient recovery, and high risks due to the need for extensive incisions and manipulation of major spinal structures.

Innovation Solution

An intervertebral insert designed to be inserted between vertebral bodies by removing the vertebral joint of only one side, featuring a gently sloped lower edge for rotation and a coupling mechanism for secure placement, along with expansion parts for enhanced support.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional posterior lumbar interbody fusion is performed by removing vertebral joints and incising muscles of both vertebrae, then the spine insert can be securely inserted, but significant bleeding and slow patient recovery occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure insertion of spine insertVSAvoidbleeding and muscle damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the insertion approach into unilateral (one side only) rather than bilateral (both sides), reducing the total incision area and muscle damage while maintaining secure insertion through the coupling mechanism that engages with the vertebral joint on the remaining side

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling part acts as an intermediary mechanism between the spine insert and the vertebral joint, allowing secure anchoring without requiring extensive muscle incisions on both sides, thereby reducing bleeding and tissue damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If anterior lumbar interbody fusion is performed to insert spine insert from the front, then the vertebral joint can be preserved, but high risk occurs due to proximity of major structures such as aorta and inferior vena cava

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepreservation of vertebral jointVSAvoidrisk from major structures

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of approaching from the front (anterior) as in conventional ALIF, the invention uses a lateral approach from the side, effectively inverting the traditional insertion direction to avoid the aorta and inferior vena cava while still preserving the vertebral joint through unilateral insertion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If lateral lumbar interbody fusion is performed to insert cage suitable for disc size, then the vertebral joint can be preserved, but lumbar plexus injury and psoas muscle damage occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepreservation of vertebral jointVSAvoidlumbar plexus injury and psoas muscle damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies local quality by creating a gently formed lower edge specifically at the insertion front end to facilitate rotation and positioning, while the coupling part is designed to engage with the vertebral joint in a location that avoids the lumbar plexus and psoas muscle, reducing harm in specific critical areas

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Ease of operation

If the lower edge of the spine insert is formed to be gentle for rotation, then easier insertion and positioning occur, but the structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotation and positioningVSAvoidshape complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies curvature by forming the lower edge as a gentle slope rather than a sharp angle, allowing the insert to rotate and position itself more easily within the vertebral interbody space. This curved geometry facilitates smooth movement while the coupling part provides structural anchoring, balancing ease of operation with structural integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentUS20250161071A1Intervertebral insert

Publication Date: 2025.05.22 SPINE DOCTORS CO LTD

AI summary

An intervertebral insert includes a lower edge formed in a rounded shape, thereby facilitating rotation, the lower edge entering an interbody space first to come in contact with the inside of the interbody space, and can be inserted with only one side of a vertebral joint removed, thereby reducing bleeding and increasing a patient's satisfaction.