Achieving a firm fixation between the implants and the bony structure in case of osteoporotic bone remains a challenge.
For example, the current solution to treat degenerative disc disease and similar symptoms is with fusion. Generally, fusion requires implanting a spacer to restore disc height, lordosis and decompress neural structures. The spacer may either be fixed (held in place) from either a posterior, lateral or anterior direction with fixation elements. Thus, fixation is usually only from one side. A generally reliable fixation approach is a stand alone, anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) using a posterior fixation system that includes pedicle screws and rods.
Despite the effectiveness of the ALIF approach, improvements in fusion times are desired, especially for the aging spine.
USPTO Backgrounds
USPTO Backgrounds