Artificial Spinal Joint Replacing Disc and Facet Functions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal arthroplasty devices and surgical techniques fail to effectively address degenerative changes in the lumbar spine, such as disc and facet joint degeneration, while maintaining spinal motion, as they either lead to solid fusion or do not provide adequate replacement of both disc and facet functions.
Innovation Solution
An artificial spinal joint system comprising an anterior joint replacement component, a bridge component extending posteriorly, and a posterior joint replacement component with a posterior protrusion engaged in a socket, which allows for limited movement between vertebrae while providing stability and facilitating bone ingrowth for secure fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional spinal arthroplasty devices are used to replace degenerated discs, then disc function is restored, but facet joint degeneration is not addressed and spinal stability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines disc replacement and facet joint replacement into a single integrated artificial spinal joint system. The device includes anterior joint replacement components that replace the disc and posterior joint replacement components that replace the facet joints, all connected by bridge components. This merging allows simultaneous restoration of both disc and facet functions in one procedure, addressing the limitation of traditional devices that only addressed disc degeneration.
Solution Approach 2:
The artificial spinal joint is divided into multiple functional segments: anterior joint replacement components (including superior and inferior articulating surfaces), posterior joint replacement components (including superior and inferior articulating surfaces), and bridge components that connect them. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while working together as an integrated system to provide both stability and motion.
2Stability of the object's composition
If solid spinal fusion is performed to ensure stability, then spinal stability is improved, but spinal motion is completely lost
Solution Approach 1:
The artificial spinal joint incorporates dynamic articulating surfaces that allow controlled motion between vertebrae. The superior and inferior articulating surfaces of both the anterior and posterior joint replacement components are designed to permit flexion, extension, and lateral movement while maintaining stability. This dynamic design enables the spine to move naturally while providing the stability needed to support physiological loads.
Data Source
AI summary
An artificial spinal joint creates at least a portion of a coupling between a superior vertebra and an inferior vertebra. The artificial spinal joint comprises an anterior joint replacement component extending into an intervertebral disc space between the superior and inferior vertebrae. The artificial spinal joint further comprises a bridge component coupled to the anterior joint replacement and extending posteriorly from the anterior joint replacement beyond the intervertebral disc space and a posterior joint replacement component coupled to the bridge, wherein the posterior joint replacement component includes a posterior protrusion engaged with a posterior socket.