Articular Disc Prosthesis with Offset Projection Recess
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Solution Overview
Problem
Spinal fusion procedures often lead to rapid deterioration of adjacent spinal motion segments due to bio-mechanical rigidity, resulting in conditions like disc degeneration, instability, and facet joint arthritis, necessitating additional surgeries, thus alternatives to fusion are desirable.
Innovation Solution
A prosthetic device with articulating components, including a first component with a projection and a second component with a recess, designed for longitudinal insertion between spondylosed vertebrae, allowing for pivotal and rotational motion, and an artificial ligament for stabilization, to mimic natural intervertebral disc function.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If spinal fusion is performed to stabilize spondylosed vertebrae, then stability of the affected segment is improved, but bio-mechanical rigidity increases causing rapid deterioration of adjacent spinal motion segments
Solution Approach 1:
The prosthesis divides the spinal stabilization function into two separate components: one component engages the upper vertebra while the other engages the lower vertebra, with each component independently providing stability to its respective vertebra. This segmentation allows stabilization of the affected segment without creating rigid fusion that would harm adjacent segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The prosthesis incorporates an articulating mechanism with a projection and recess that enables relative motion between the two components. This dynamic design allows the prosthesis to accommodate natural spinal movement and spondylotic displacement while maintaining stability, preventing the bio-mechanical rigidity that would otherwise cause adjacent segment deterioration.
2Ease of operation
If a prosthetic device allows articulating motion to maintain natural spine movement, then bio-mechanical motion is restored, but device complexity increases compared to fixed fusion devices
Solution Approach 1:
The prosthesis employs an asymmetric design where one component features a projection and the other features a corresponding recess. This asymmetric configuration enables articulating motion between components while maintaining structural simplicity, avoiding the need for complex mechanical joints or multiple moving parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The articulating function is achieved through separate, simple components (projection on one component, recess on the other) rather than a complex integrated joint mechanism. This segmentation of the articulating function into simple geometric features reduces overall device complexity while still enabling natural spinal motion.
Data Source
AI summary
A prosthetic device for insertion into a spondylosed intervertebral space is provided. The prosthetic device includes a first component having a first flange for longitudinally engaging a first vertebra during longitudinal insertion therein, and a second component having a second flange for longitudinally engaging a second vertebra during longitudinal insertion therein. One of the first and second components comprises a projection and the other of the first and second components comprises a recess, the projection and recess being adapted to engage one another. One of the projection and the recess are offset relative to the other of the projection and the recess to accommodate the spondylosed relationship between the first and second vertebrae.