Vertebral Implant End Device Gate Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vertebral implants face challenges in securely interposing between vertebral members to resist axial, torsional, and shear loading without causing anterior displacement, posterior retropulsion, or subsidence, often resulting in undesirable consequences like instrumentation pull-out or erosion of vascular and soft tissue structures due to high profile design.
Innovation Solution
The end device, attachable to the implant, features a base with a receiving area and a selectively positionable gate that opens to allow insertion and closes to prevent escape, utilizing a combination of pivoting and locking mechanisms to secure the implant in place, including spikes and ridges for bone ingrowth and vascularization, and a sliding or removable gate configuration for enhanced stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If existing vertebral implants use high profile design to resist axial, torsional, and shear loading, then the implant can provide structural support, but it causes anterior displacement (kick-out), posterior retropulsion, or subsidence
Solution Approach 1:
The implant is divided into multiple segments or sections along its length, with each segment capable of independent adjustment or locking. This segmentation allows the implant to distribute mechanical loads more effectively across different vertebral levels, reducing the risk of anterior displacement, posterior retropulsion, or subsidence while maintaining overall structural support.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant incorporates dynamic elements such as adjustable screws, movable interbody spacers, or flexible connection mechanisms that allow real-time adjustment of positioning and load distribution. This dynamic capability enables the implant to adapt to physiological movements and loading conditions, preventing displacement and subsidence while maintaining structural integrity.
2Stability of the object's composition
If existing vertebral implants are designed with high profile structure to prevent displacement, then the implant can resist loading forces, but it causes erosion of nearby vascular and soft tissue structures
Solution Approach 1:
The implant features localized functional zones with different properties: smooth low-profile surfaces in contact with soft tissues and vasculature to prevent erosion, while maintaining higher structural profiles only where mechanically necessary for load bearing. This localized differentiation reduces tissue irritation while preserving implant stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant transitions from a traditional high-profile three-dimensional structure to a more flattened or distributed configuration that spreads mechanical interaction across a larger surface area. This dimensional change reduces peak pressures on adjacent tissues, preventing erosion while maintaining positioning stability through distributed contact.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If existing vertebral implants use minimal profile design to avoid tissue erosion, then the implant can reduce soft tissue damage, but it results in instrumentation pull-out
Solution Approach 1:
The implant incorporates pre-formed bone engagement features such as integrated screws, hooks, or anchoring elements that are prepared and positioned during implantation to secure the device to vertebral bone before final positioning. This preliminary anchoring prevents instrumentation pull-out while maintaining a low overall profile that minimizes soft tissue erosion.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant utilizes composite material construction combining biocompatible polymers or metals with bone-integrating surfaces or coatings. This composite structure provides sufficient mechanical strength for instrumentation retention while the outer surface maintains a soft, low-profile characteristic that reduces tissue erosion and irritation.
Data Source
AI summary
An end device attached to an implant and methods of use. The end device comprises a base having a receiving area, an opening, and at least one gate that is selectively positionable between open and closed orientations. The implant is sized to fit through the opening and into the receiving area when the gate is in the open orientation. Once inserted, the gate is sized to extend across at least a section of the opening and prevent the implant from escaping.