Enhanced Expandable Implant Assembly with Advanced Features
Legal Citation
Summary of the Inventive Concept
An improved expandable implant assembly with innovative features, including self-locking mechanisms, real-time monitoring, modular design, and dynamic tensioning, enhancing spinal support and stability while minimizing tissue disruption.
Background and Problem Solved
The original expandable implant assembly patent has limitations in ensuring stable and controlled expansion, potentially leading to unintended consequences during spinal placement. The new inventive concept addresses these limitations by introducing advanced features that improve the safety, efficiency, and customization of the implant assembly.
Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept
The enhanced expandable implant assembly features a self-locking mechanism that prevents unintentional expansion or contraction during spinal placement, ensuring a secure and controlled deployment. The implant assembly can be expanded using a control member that minimizes tissue disruption, reducing the risk of complications. Additionally, the assembly incorporates an integrated sensor for real-time monitoring and adjustment of the degree of expansion, optimizing spinal support and stability. The modular design allows for customized length and shape to accommodate varying patient anatomies, and the dynamic tensioning system maintains a consistent force across the implant to promote optimal bone growth and fusion.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The new inventive concept introduces a self-locking mechanism, real-time monitoring, modular design, and dynamic tensioning, which are not present in the original patent. These features provide a significant improvement in safety, efficiency, and customization, making the new inventive concept novel and non-obvious compared to the original patent.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Alternative embodiments of the enhanced expandable implant assembly could include varying self-locking mechanisms, different sensor technologies for real-time monitoring, or alternative materials for the modular design. Additionally, the dynamic tensioning system could be adapted for use in other implant assemblies or medical devices.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
The enhanced expandable implant assembly has significant commercial potential in the spinal implant market, offering improved safety, efficiency, and customization for patients. The target industries include spinal implant manufacturers, hospitals, and orthopedic clinics, with potential for expansion into other medical device markets.
CPC Classifications
| Section | Class | Group |
|---|---|---|
| A | A61 | A61F2/4425 |
| A | A61 | A61F2002/30578 |
| A | A61 | A61F2002/443 |
Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)
Field of Art
Medical Device Engineering, specifically spinal implant technologies involving expandable surgical devices with mechanical articulation and structural support mechanisms
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
A biomedical engineer with expertise in orthopedic implant design, mechanical engineering background, understanding of surgical biomechanics, and knowledge of medical device fabrication techniques
Obviousness Rationale
A PHOSITA would recognize that the proposed variations represent predictable engineering improvements to the foundational expandable implant design, utilizing known techniques in medical device innovation to address inherent limitations in the original patent's mechanical configuration. The self-locking mechanism, real-time monitoring, and modular design represent logical extensions of the source patent's core expandable implant concept, applying standard engineering problem-solving approaches to enhance functional performance and patient safety.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,857,432 |
|---|---|
| Title | Expandable implant assembly |
| Assignee(s) | Life Spine, Inc. |