Artificial Disc Recess Arrays for Spinal Stiffness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing artificial discs for spinal replacement lack the ability to effectively replicate the mechanical characteristics of natural discs due to limitations in size and geometry, leading to suboptimal performance in replicating the natural stiffness and stability of human spinal discs.
Innovation Solution
The artificial disc design features a resilient core with upper and lower plates that include arrays of recesses on their inner sides, which increase the surface area contact and provide mechanical locking, allowing for a larger resilient core size while minimizing plate thickness, thus enhancing rotational stability and replicating human disc characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the resilient core size is increased to replicate natural disc characteristics, then the mechanical properties (stiffness, stability) are improved, but the plate thickness must be increased which increases device complexity and reduces ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The plate inner surface is segmented into multiple recesses that penetrate the plate thickness, creating a modular structure that increases resilient core contact area without requiring increased plate thickness. The recesses divide the contact interface into discrete regions that collectively provide enhanced mechanical properties replication.
Solution Approach 2:
The recesses are formed as nested structures within the plate, with the resilient core material extending into these recesses to create a nested configuration. This allows the resilient core to be effectively embedded within the plate structure, maximizing contact area while maintaining compact plate dimensions.
2Ease of operation
If the plate thickness is reduced to improve ease of operation, then the ease of installation is improved, but the resilient core size is reduced which worsens mechanical properties replication
Solution Approach 1:
The contact area between the plate and resilient core is extended from a two-dimensional surface contact to a three-dimensional volumetric contact by creating recesses that penetrate the plate thickness. This dimensional transition allows the resilient core to contact the plate at multiple depths, effectively increasing contact area without increasing plate thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The plate inner surface is divided into multiple recess regions that collectively provide enhanced contact area. This segmentation allows the limited plate thickness to be utilized more efficiently by creating multiple contact zones rather than relying on a single large contact surface.
3Reliability
If arrays of recesses are added to the plate inner surface, then the resilient core contact area is increased improving mechanical properties, but the manufacturing complexity is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The recesses are pre-formed in the plate during plate manufacturing, before the resilient core is installed. This preliminary creation of the recess structure allows for optimized manufacturing processes where the recess geometry can be established using standard forming techniques, reducing the complexity of subsequent assembly operations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design maximizes the size of the resilient core, improving the artificial disc's ability to replicate the mechanical properties of natural spinal discs, such as stiffness, while maintaining stability and preventing expulsion from the spinal column.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient core which is disposed between first and second plates
Implementation Method 2
The array of recesses includes a plurality of recesses. Each of the recesses of the plurality of recesses has surfaces which are integrally formed as one piece with the one plate
Data Source
AI summary
An artificial disc to replace a damaged spinal disc in a spinal column includes a resilient core which is fixedly connected to first and second plates. The first and second plates engage upper and lower vertebra in the patient's spine. The inner side of at least one of the first and second plates has an array of recesses into which said resilient core extends. The array of recesses includes a plurality of recesses. Each of the recesses of the plurality of recesses has surfaces which are integrally formed as one piece with the plate.