Wedge-Shaped Spinal Osteotomy Implants for Predictable Lordosis
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spinal osteotomy procedures face challenges in achieving precise spinal curvature correction due to difficulties in cutting a wedge-shaped aperture with a precise slope and maintaining bony structure integrity post-osteotomy, leading to unpredictable shifts and subsidence.
Innovation Solution
A wedge-shaped intrabody implant with an acute angle design is used to correct spinal curvature by placing it between separated vertebral body portions, secured with a rod and pedicle screw construct, and optionally packed with bone growth promotion material, ensuring predictable correction angles and maintaining vertebral body height.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a wedge-shaped aperture is cut in the spinal anatomy to achieve precise spinal curvature correction, then the desired spinal curvature can be obtained, but the difficulty of cutting with precise slope and maintaining bony structure integrity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vertebral body is divided into two or more separated portions through osteotomy, creating distinct segments that can be independently positioned and stabilized with implants, allowing precise control over spinal curvature correction while simplifying the overall procedure
Solution Approach 2:
A wedge-shaped intrabody implant is introduced as an intermediary element between the separated vertebral portions. This implant provides a predetermined wedge angle that directly determines the correction angle, eliminating the need for complex precise cutting and providing predictable spinal curvature correction
2Manufacturing precision
If osteotomy is performed to remove bony structures for reorienting spine bones, then abnormal spinal curvature can be corrected, but breakdown or subsidence of remaining bony portions occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The wedge-shaped intrabody implant is placed between the separated vertebral portions before final closure and stabilization. This preliminary placement provides immediate structural support and maintains the desired correction angle, preventing breakdown or subsidence of the remaining bony portions during the healing process
Solution Approach 2:
The solution combines the intrabody implant material with bone graft material in a composite construct. The implant provides immediate mechanical stability while the bone graft promotes biological integration, creating a reliable composite structure that prevents subsidence and ensures long-term stability
3Ease of operation
If traditional osteotomy methods are used without intrabody implant, then surgical procedure is simpler, but accurate kyphotic and lordotic angle achievement becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The wedge-shaped intrabody implant is designed with a predetermined wedge angle that directly corresponds to the desired correction angle. By changing the implant parameter (wedge angle), surgeons can achieve precise kyphotic and lordotic angle corrections without complex measurement and calculation procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The intrabody implant serves as a physical copy or template of the desired spinal curvature correction. The implant's wedge angle is a direct replication of the target correction angle, allowing surgeons to achieve accurate spinal alignment by simply placing the pre-designed implant rather than performing complex measurements and calculations during surgery
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
An intrabody implant disclosed and methods of use are disclosed. The implant has an inclined surface, forming a wedge shape having an acute angle adapted to be placed between at least 2 separated portions of a single bony structure (such as a vertebral body). In some embodiments, the implant may be used to support portions of a vertebral body that have been separated surgically as part of a pedicle subtraction osteotomy and to orient the portions at a more predictable lordotic angle.