Vertebral Implant Containment Device for Curable Substance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Surgical implantation of vertebral body replacements is challenging due to limited access and the need to manage curable substances that are fluid or malleable before hardening, which can migrate without containment.

Innovation Solution

A containment device with an impermeable enclosure member that conforms to the space between vertebral members, allowing a curable substance to cure and maintain vertebral spacing while withstanding biomechanical loading, using biocompatible materials and end members to engage vertebral bodies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a curable substance is used as a rapid vertebral body replacement, then the surgical procedure becomes faster and more cost-effective, but the substance migrates without containment before hardening

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical procedure speedVSAvoidsubstance containment

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flexible containment device with a thin-walled enclosure that can be compressed for insertion and then expanded to contain the curable substance. The flexible shell provides containment while allowing the device to conform to the vertebral space, preventing substance migration during the curing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The containment device is designed to be nested within itself in a compressed state for easy insertion through limited surgical access. After deployment, the device expands to provide full containment volume for the curable substance, effectively nesting the substance within the expanded enclosure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the containment device is made rigid to maintain vertebral spacing, then the desired spacing is maintained, but the device cannot be easily inserted through limited access

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevertebral spacing maintenanceVSAvoidinsertion difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The containment device transitions from a flexible, compressible state during insertion to a rigid, load-bearing state after curing. The device dynamically adapts its mechanical properties: soft and deformable during implantation, then hard and stable after the curable substance sets, maintaining vertebral spacing without compromising insertion ease.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The device utilizes a curable substance that changes its physical parameters from fluid/malleable to solid through a chemical reaction. This parameter change enables the device to be inserted in a compliant state and then transform into a rigid structure capable of sustaining biomechanical loads and maintaining vertebral spacing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the enclosure member is made impermeable to prevent substance migration, then containment is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesubstance containmentVSAvoidenclosure member complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The enclosure member is constructed as a simple flexible shell with thin walls that provides impermeable containment. The simplicity of the shell design, combined with the curable substance, creates an effective barrier against substance migration without requiring complex multi-layer structures or additional containment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Provides a rapid, cost-effective implant solution that maintains desired vertebral spacing and sustains biomechanical loading after the curable substance hardens, reducing the complexity of surgical procedures and minimizing substance migration.

Implementation Method 1

these curing substances tend to be fluid or malleable in nature prior to curing and consequently tend to migrate in the absence of a containment device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCuring: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentUS7875079B2Vertebral implant containment device and methods of use

Publication Date: 2011.01.25 WARSAW ORTHOPEDIC INC

AI summary

A containment device is inserted between vertebral members in a patient and provides a rapid implant solution adapted for use in different applications. The device includes an interior volume to contain a curable substance at substantially atmospheric pressure. Upon filling the enclosure member with a curable substance, the enclosure member is able to conform to and maintain a space between vertebral members. The containment device may include an enclosure member constructed of an impermeable material adapted to constrain migration of the curable substance. The enclosure member may include an exterior wall surrounding the interior volume and an opening in the exterior wall that exposes the interior volume. The containment device may include end members that may be distracted to establish a desired vertebral spacing. Spacer members may be included to further maintain the desired spacing. Upon hardening of the curable substance, the device is capable of maintaining the desired spacing.