Vertebral Implant with Integrated Plate and Cage for Minimally Invasive Spinal Fusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a vertebral implant and method that is easier to use, safer, and more cost-effective for attaching to vertebral members, while minimizing trauma to surrounding tissue and improving surgical efficacy, particularly in minimally invasive procedures for spinal pathologies such as degeneration, trauma, tumor, or infection.
Innovation Solution
The vertebral implant includes a plate with contact sections and legs that fit within the intervertebral space, a cage positioned between the legs, and anchors for secure attachment, designed to be implanted using a minimally invasive approach, such as posterior far lateral access, with features like contoured shapes to avoid nerve roots and adjustable angles for optimal positioning and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional interbody devices (cage and plate) are used, then stabilization and restoration of the spine is achieved, but surgical trauma to surrounding tissue increases and surgical complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cage and plate into a single integrated interbody device. The plate forms the main body with contact surfaces for vertebral bodies, while legs extend from the plate to engage the intervertebral space. This integration eliminates the need for separate cage and plate components, reducing surgical trauma and complexity while maintaining spinal stabilization functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated device is segmented into functional zones: a plate portion with superior and inferior contact surfaces for vertebral body contact, and multiple legs extending into the intervertebral space. This segmentation allows the device to perform multiple functions (stabilization, space maintenance, fusion support) simultaneously while minimizing surgical trauma through a single implantable unit.
2Reliability
If conventional cage and plate devices are implanted, then spinal fusion is achieved, but device complexity and surgical time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cage and plate into one monolithic structure where the plate serves as the main body and legs extend directly from it. This eliminates the need for separate components that would require assembly, reducing device complexity while ensuring reliable spinal fusion through the integrated structure's mechanical interlocking with vertebral bodies and intervertebral space.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If minimally invasive techniques are used, then surgical trauma is reduced, but implantation difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device features locally optimized geometries: contact surfaces on the plate are shaped to match vertebral body contours for stable seating, while legs are configured with specific orientations and spacings to engage the intervertebral space optimally. This local quality optimization allows minimally invasive insertion through small incisions while maintaining ease of implantation through intuitive anatomical fitting.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact surfaces of the plate are contoured with curved geometries that match the natural anatomy of vertebral bodies. This curvature allows the device to self-align and seat properly during minimally invasive insertion, reducing implantation difficulty despite the reduced surgical exposure.
4Ease of operation
If larger incisions are made for implant insertion, then implantation ease increases, but surgical trauma and recovery time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device is designed with localized contact surfaces and leg configurations that engage anatomical landmarks during insertion. This allows the surgeon to guide the device into proper position through small incisions using tactile feedback and anatomical alignment, maintaining insertion ease while minimizing incision size and subsequent recovery time.
Data Source
AI summary
An implant and method for attaching to vertebral members with the implant including a plate and a cage. The plate is configured to be positioned against and anchored to the bodies of the vertebral members. The plate may also extend into the intervertebral space between the vertebral members. The cage extends outward from the plate and is positioned within the intervertebral space. The implant provides a low profile that is positionable between the bodies of the vertebral members and the lamina/pars/facet joint. The implant may be implanted utilizing a lateral access to the spine. The implant and method may further include just the plate without the cage.