Expandable Vertebral Implant Locking for Spinal Space Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vertebral body implants fail to effectively maintain the space between vertebral bodies post-corpectomy, leading to pressure on the spinal cord due to trauma or disease.
Innovation Solution
An expandable vertebral body replacement device with a rotating member, extension member, and locking mechanism that allows for adjustable expansion and secure fixation between vertebral bodies, utilizing a rotating member with notches for deployment and a locking member for stabilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing vertebral body implants are used to replace removed vertebral bodies, then the space between vertebral bodies should be maintained, but the implants fail to effectively maintain the space leading to spinal cord pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The implant incorporates an expandable structure with extension members that can be deployed from a compressed delivery state to an expanded implanted state. This dynamic expansion allows the implant to achieve and maintain adequate vertebral body height, effectively preventing spinal cord pressure while being inserted through a minimally invasive approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant is divided into multiple extension members (first extension member and second extension member) that can be independently deployed and locked. This segmentation allows for controlled expansion to achieve the desired vertebral space maintenance while providing modular adjustment capabilities.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the implant structure is made complex with rotating members and locking mechanisms to achieve adjustable expansion and secure fixation, then the device provides customizable implant size and stable anchoring, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating member enables dynamic adjustment of the extension members to different angular positions, allowing customization of the implant's expanded dimensions. The rotation mechanism transforms a single insertion action into multiple positioning possibilities, achieving adaptability without requiring multiple separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple functions are merged into single components: the rotating member simultaneously enables expansion control, angular positioning, and potential locking when combined with the locking member. This consolidation reduces the number of separate parts while maintaining versatile functionality.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the locking member is positioned on the interior surface to prevent rotation of the extension member, then secure fixation is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking member utilizes the existing rotating member and extension member geometry to achieve self-locking. The engagement protrusion on the locking member interfaces with features already present on the rotating member, creating a passive locking mechanism that maintains stability without requiring additional active components or complex assembly steps.
Data Source
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AI summary
An expandable vertebral body implant, and methods of assembly and using the implant. The vertebral body implant includes a body with a first end and a second end, a rotating member rotatably coupled to the first end of the body, wherein an end includes a plurality of first notches inset into the rotating member, an extension member moveably coupled to the rotating member, and a locking member positioned on an interior of the body. Methods for assembling and using the vertebral body implant are also disclosed.