Variable Lordotic Expanding Implant with Centralized Graft Channel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional PEEK spacers used in spine surgery are too large for minimally invasive or percutaneous insertion and lack adequate cavities for fill material, leading to potential migration and inadequate contact with vertebral endplates.
Innovation Solution
A variable lordotic expanding implant with a centralized graft deployment channel and expandable mesh component, allowing for percutaneous insertion in a collapsed state and expansion post-implantation to contain fill material and stabilize the intervertebral space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional PEEK spacers are made small enough for minimally invasive insertion, then ease of insertion is improved, but fill material containment capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nesting by placing the expandable mesh container with fill material inside the PEEK spacer structure. The collapsed container fits within the spacer's internal cavity, allowing the entire assembly to be inserted through a minimally invasive approach. After insertion, the container is expanded in situ to provide adequate fill material containment while maintaining the compact insertion profile.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by using an expandable mesh container that transitions from a collapsed state during insertion to an expanded state after implantation. This dynamic transformation allows the device to adapt its size and containment capacity based on the operational phase, enabling minimally invasive insertion while providing adequate fill material containment once deployed.
2Ease of operation
If traditional PEEK spacers are made small for percutaneous approach, then ease of insertion is improved, but fill material contact with vertebral endplates deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The expandable mesh container is nested within the PEEK spacer, allowing the collapsed assembly to be inserted percutaneously. Once in position, the container expands to ensure adequate contact between the fill material and vertebral endplates, achieving both minimally invasive insertion and proper anatomical contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic expansion of the mesh container after percutaneous insertion enables the fill material to achieve adequate contact with the vertebral endplates. The container transitions from a compact insertion size to an expanded functional size that ensures proper positioning and contact.
3Volume of moving object
If PEEK spacers lack adequate cavities for fill material, then spacer size is reduced, but fill material containment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent nests the expandable mesh container within the PEEK spacer structure. The collapsed container occupies minimal space within the spacer, allowing the spacer to maintain a compact size suitable for minimally invasive insertion. Upon expansion, the container provides adequate volume and containment for the fill material.
Solution Approach 2:
The mesh container dynamically changes volume from a collapsed state during insertion to an expanded state after implantation. This dynamic volume change allows the spacer to remain small during insertion while providing adequate fill material containment capacity once deployed.
4Volume of moving object
If fill material is packed around the spacer, then spacer size is minimized, but fill material migration risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The expandable mesh container is nested within the PEEK spacer, providing a contained structure for the fill material. This nested configuration prevents fill material from being loosely packed around the spacer, thereby eliminating migration risk while maintaining compact spacer dimensions suitable for minimally invasive insertion.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic expansion of the mesh container creates a secure containment structure for the fill material after insertion. The expanded mesh provides physical barriers that prevent fill material migration, while the collapsed state during insertion maintains compact spacer size.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a variable lordotic expanding implant with a centralized graft deployment delivery channel (tube) with (or without) an expanding footprint mesh component which is deployed by graft material injection.