Variable Lordosis Endplate for In-Situ Spinal Angle Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current interbody fusion systems require a large selection of implants with varying lordosis and footprints to meet patient anatomy requirements, increasing inventory needs and limiting surgical flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A variable lordosis endplate with a mechanical drive mechanism that allows independent adjustment of lordotic angles from 0 to 30 degrees on either end of the central column, enabling hyper-lordotic angles and in-situ adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a large selection of implants with varying lordosis and footprint options is offered to meet specific patient anatomy requirements, then patient-specific anatomical needs are satisfied, but the amount of required inventory dramatically increases
Solution Approach 1:
The endplate incorporates a variable lordosis mechanism that allows dynamic adjustment of the lordotic angle after implantation. The drive mechanism enables the endplate to be positioned at different angles (e.g., 0°, 15°, 30°) to match various anatomical requirements, replacing the need for multiple fixed-angle implants in inventory.
Solution Approach 2:
A single endplate design with adjustable lordosis serves multiple functions that previously required different specialized implants. The universal endplate can accommodate various anatomical configurations through its adjustment mechanism, reducing the number of specialized implant variants needed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple implant options are maintained to meet varying patient requirements, then surgical flexibility is improved, but device complexity and inventory management become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable lordosis mechanism provides surgical flexibility during the procedure, allowing the surgeon to fine-tune the implant angle to achieve optimal spinal alignment. This dynamic adjustment capability replaces the need to pre-select from multiple fixed-angle implant options.
Solution Approach 2:
The endplate allows change in the lordotic angle parameter after implantation, enabling surgeons to optimize spinal alignment by adjusting the angle to match the patient's specific anatomy. This parameter variability is achieved through a single implant design rather than multiple fixed-parameter implants.
3Ease of manufacture
If fixed lordosis angle implants are used, then manufacturing and inventory are simplified, but the ability to correct or change lordosis angle is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The endplate transitions from a static fixed-angle design to a dynamic adjustable design. The drive mechanism allows the endplate to be rotated or positioned at different angles after implantation, providing lordosis correction capability while maintaining a standardized manufacturing process for the base component.
Solution Approach 2:
The endplate is divided into functional segments: a standardized base portion that can be manufactured uniformly, and an adjustable lordosis component that provides angle variation. This segmentation allows simplified manufacturing of the base while adding adjustability through the mechanical drive system.
Data Source
AI summary
A variable lordosis endplate that may adjusted from 0 to 30 degrees using a mechanical drive that allows the spine's angle to be physically adjusted in-situ. The variable lordosis endplate may be quickly attached to either end, or both ends, of the central column. The variable lordosis endplate can be attached in orientations of every 15 degrees. The variable lordosis endplates' lordotic angles may be on either end of the column independently from one another. By attaching a variable lordosis endplate to both ends of the column, hyper-lordotic angles may be achieved.