Adjustable Spinal Prostheses with Pivotable Pedicle Screw Mounts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spinal prostheses fail to adequately address the need for adjustable and versatile solutions for damaged vertebral structures, leading to inadequate alignment and mobility, particularly in the posterior spine, resulting in pain and discomfort due to conditions like spinal stenosis and spondylosis.
Innovation Solution
The development of a spinal prosthesis with a first and second spinal prosthetic member forming an articulating assembly, featuring pedicle screw mounting members that are pivotable and translatable, allowing multiple attachment orientations and angles, and an optional kit with pedicle screw mounting members of varying lengths and orientations, along with an elongate link element connecting pedicle screws to non-pedicle structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed spinal prosthesis design is used, then manufacturing and installation are simplified, but adaptability to different spinal conditions and patient anatomies is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The spinal prosthesis is divided into multiple modular components including vertebral body replacements, interbody fusion devices, and connection elements that can be independently selected and combined. This segmentation allows customization for different spinal conditions while maintaining manageable complexity through standardized interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The prosthesis design incorporates universal attachment mechanisms and standardized connection interfaces that allow the same basic components to serve multiple functions and be applied to various spinal conditions. The modular system can be configured for different spinal levels and anatomical requirements, achieving versatility without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Ease of operation
If a non-adjustable spinal prosthesis is implanted, then the surgical procedure is faster and simpler, but the ability to optimize alignment and mobility post-operatively is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The spinal prosthesis incorporates adjustable components that allow modification of alignment and positioning after initial implantation. Connection elements feature movable joints and adjustable fixation mechanisms that enable surgeons to optimize spinal alignment post-operatively while maintaining a relatively simple initial surgical procedure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If pedicle screws are fixed in single orientation, then the attachment structure is simpler, but the ability to accommodate varying spinal anatomy and achieve proper alignment is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting member is segmented into multiple components including the pedicle screw, connector, and orientation-adjustment element. This allows independent optimization of each component's function while maintaining overall system manageability. The segmentation enables multi-orientation capability without requiring a completely complex redesign of the entire attachment system.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus including a first spinal prosthetic member attachable to a first spinal structure, a second spinal prosthetic member attachable to a second spinal structure and articulating with the first spinal prosthetic member to form an articulating assembly, and pedicle screw mounting members extending outwards from the first and second spinal prosthetic members, at least one of the pedicle screw mounting members being movably attached to the first and second spinal prosthetic members such that the at least one pedicle screw mounting member has at least two different attachment orientations with respect to reference axes defined on one of the spinal prosthetic members.