Enhanced Intervertebral Disc Prosthesis Insertion System with Real-time Feedback and Improved Accuracy

Publication ID: 24-11857438_0001_PTD

Published: October 28, 2025

Category:Direct Improvements & Enhancements

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Enhanced Intervertebral Disc Prosthesis Insertion System with Real-time Feedback and Improved Accuracy,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857438_0001_PTD, Published October 28, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857438_0001_PTD

This technical disclosure describes improvements that would be readily apparent to a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art (PHOSITA) when considered in combination with the foundational architecture disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 11,857,438.

Summary of the Inventive Concept

An improved system for inserting intervertebral disc prostheses with enhanced safety, accuracy, and efficiency, featuring real-time feedback, mechanical stops, and robotic-assisted insertion.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent disclosed a system for inserting intervertebral disc prostheses, but it had limitations in terms of safety, accuracy, and efficiency. The new inventive concept addresses these limitations by introducing real-time feedback, mechanical stops, and robotic-assisted insertion, ensuring precise and safe prosthesis insertion.

Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept

The enhanced system comprises an intervertebral prosthesis with two endplates movable with respect to one another, a sensor for detecting the proximity of the prosthesis to the adjacent vertebrae, and a mechanical stop for limiting the depth of insertion. The system also utilizes a robotic-assisted insertion device to improve accuracy and precision. The method of insertion involves inserting the prosthesis partway into the space while constrained, and then releasing the prosthesis from constraint to allow the endplates to articulate about the core. The system provides real-time feedback to the user during the insertion process, ensuring precise and safe prosthesis insertion.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new claims introduce the concept of real-time feedback, mechanical stops, and robotic-assisted insertion, which are not present in the original patent. These features provide a significant improvement in safety, accuracy, and efficiency, making the new inventive concept novel and non-obvious.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept could include different types of sensors, mechanical stops, and robotic-assisted insertion devices. Additionally, the system could be adapted for use in other types of spinal surgeries or orthopedic procedures.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The enhanced intervertebral disc prosthesis insertion system has significant commercial potential in the spinal surgery and orthopedic markets. The system's improved safety, accuracy, and efficiency make it an attractive solution for surgeons and hospitals, and its potential to reduce post-operative pain and scarring makes it a valuable option for patients.

CPC Classifications

Section	Class	Group
A	A61	A61F2/4611
A	A61	A61F2/442
A	A61	A61F2/4425
A	A61	A61F2/4455
A	A61	A61F2/4465
A	A61	A61B17/025
A	A61	A61B2017/0256
A	A61	A61F2/4603
A	A61	A61F2002/30518
A	A61	A61F2002/30649
A	A61	A61F2002/443
A	A61	A61F2002/4615
A	A61	A61F2002/4622
A	A61	A61F2002/4627
A	A61	A61F2002/4628

Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)

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Field of Art

Medical device design and surgical techniques for spinal interventions, specifically intervertebral disc prosthesis insertion, requiring advanced knowledge of orthopedic surgical techniques, biomechanical engineering, and minimally invasive medical device design

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A biomedical engineer or orthopedic surgical device designer with expertise in spinal implant technologies, advanced medical instrumentation, and minimally invasive surgical techniques, holding advanced degrees and practical experience in developing medical device solutions

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize that the published technical disclosure represents predictable variations of the source patent's core invention by introducing incremental improvements in insertion technique, feedback mechanisms, and device control that naturally extend the existing technological framework for intervertebral disc prosthesis systems. The proposed modifications represent logical engineering solutions to known challenges in surgical device deployment, utilizing standard design optimization strategies. These variations would be considered obvious combinations of known techniques within the established technological domain of spinal surgical instrumentation.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element

Intervertebral prosthesis with movable endplates and insertion system

PTD Variation

Adding real-time sensor feedback during prosthesis insertion

Obviousness Reasoning

Integrating sensor technology for procedural monitoring is a predictable enhancement in medical device design, representing a known technique for improving surgical precision and safety

Source Patent Element

Prosthesis insertion using grasping and pushing mechanisms

PTD Variation

Implementing mechanical stops to limit insertion depth

Obviousness Reasoning

Mechanical depth limitation is a standard safety feature in surgical instrumentation, representing an obvious design choice to prevent potential surgical complications

Source Patent Element

Manual prosthesis insertion technique

PTD Variation

Robotic-assisted insertion device to improve accuracy

Obviousness Reasoning

Robotic assistance represents a natural technological progression in surgical techniques, applying known robotic control principles to enhance precision in medical device deployment

Source Patent Element

Basic intervertebral prosthesis insertion method

PTD Variation

Fluoroscopic guidance to minimize tissue damage

Obviousness Reasoning

Incorporating imaging guidance is a standard optimization technique in minimally invasive surgical approaches, representing a predictable enhancement to existing insertion methods

Source Patent Element

Constrained prosthesis insertion approach

PTD Variation

Minimally invasive incision technique to reduce post-operative complications

Obviousness Reasoning

Minimizing surgical trauma through reduced incision size is a well-established design optimization in surgical techniques, representing an obvious extension of existing insertion methodologies

35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on a comprehensive analysis of US Patent 11857438 and the corresponding published technical disclosure, a person having ordinary skill in the art would find the claimed variations obvious and anticipated, as the proposed modifications represent predictable engineering solutions that would be readily conceived by a skilled practitioner without requiring inventive insight. The disclosed improvements constitute routine optimization of known surgical device insertion techniques, thereby rendering potential derivative claims obvious under 35 U.S.C. § 103.

Original Patent Information

Patent Number	US 11,857,438
Title	Methods and apparatus for intervertebral disc prosthesis insertion
Assignee(s)	Simplify Medical Pty Ltd.