Artificial Disk Stabilizer Keyhole Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical treatments for damaged intervertebral disks, such as total disk and nuclear replacement, fail to adequately mimic the natural cushioning and shock-absorbing functions of healthy disks, leading to complications like excessive movement, facet joint arthropathy, and instability, particularly in the cervical spine.
Innovation Solution
An enhanced artificial disk with a stabilizer that approximates the range of motion and cushioning of a natural disk, featuring a resilient polymeric cushion with varying densities and a stabilizer that prevents abnormal movement, allowing for optimal disk height maintenance and adjustable intradiskal pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If total disk prosthesis is used to replace damaged intervertebral disk, then disk replacement is achieved, but excessive movement and loss of cushioning function occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters of the disk prosthesis by using viscoelastic polymers with specific rheological properties that mimic natural disk behavior. The prosthesis is designed with controlled compression characteristics to provide shock absorption and maintain cushioning function while allowing physiological movement ranges.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs composite material structures combining viscoelastic polymers with reinforcing elements to create a disk prosthesis that simultaneously provides structural support, shock absorption, and controlled movement. The composite construction enables the device to replicate the multi-functional characteristics of natural intervertebral disks.
2Ease of manufacture
If metallic ball and socket joint devices are used, then joint replacement is achieved, but facet joint arthropathy and excessive movement result
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional metallic ball-and-socket mechanical joint system with a viscoelastic polymer-based disk prosthesis that functions through material deformation and rheological properties. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical articulation while providing inherent shock absorption and movement control.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the fundamental mechanical parameters by using polymers with specific viscoelastic properties that provide damping and shock absorption. The material parameters are selected to match the rheological characteristics of natural disk tissue, enabling physiological movement without excessive articulation.
3Length of stationary object
If nuclear replacement is performed to restore disk height, then disk height is maintained, but implant extrusion and migration occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite material constructions with reinforcing structures embedded in viscoelastic polymers to create a disk prosthesis that maintains disk height while preventing implant extrusion. The composite structure provides internal support to counteract migration forces while preserving the shock absorption properties needed for long-term stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention incorporates curved and spherical geometric features in the prosthesis design to match the natural curvature of the spinal disc and vertebral bodies. These curved surfaces provide better mechanical interlocking and reduce migration tendencies while maintaining the disk's height and structural integrity.
4Length of stationary object
If bone plugs or cages are inserted to maintain spacing, then vertebral spacing is maintained, but normal disk function and cushioning are not restored
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters from rigid bone substitutes to viscoelastic polymers with specific rheological properties. This parameter change enables the prosthesis to provide both structural support for spacing and shock absorption for cushioning function, while the controlled deformation characteristics prevent abnormal movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs composite material structures that combine the load-bearing capability of reinforcing elements with the shock-absorbing properties of viscoelastic polymers. This composite construction restores normal disk function by providing both structural support and cushioning, eliminating the need for separate bone plugs or rigid cages.
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
The enhanced artificial disk provides improved functional activities by mimicking normal spinal motion, reducing stress on facet joints, and allowing for adjustment of intradiskal pressure, thereby enhancing patient outcomes and reducing surgical complications.
Implementation Method 1
The cushion may be made of a resilient polymeric material having a durometer between 10 and 80, more specifically between 20 and 60
Implementation Method 2
The stabilizer can function as a restraining device to hold the disk in position
Data Source
AI summary
An enhanced artificial disk for stabilizing a pair of adjacent vertebrae. The enhanced artificial disk include a disk and a stabilizer. The stabilizer includes a substantially keyhole shaped opening for receiving a protrusion. By facilitating movement of the protrusion within the opening, the enhanced artificial disk is capable of exhibiting a normal range of motion associated with a healthy disk while limiting any abnormal range of motion.