Asymmetrical Artificial Disc for Spinal Deformity Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current artificial cervical disc replacement systems fail to effectively correct spinal deformities such as kyphosis, lordosis, and scoliosis, leading to post-operative alignment issues and increased risk of adjacent segment disease due to lack of sufficient off-center load bearing support and structure to maintain deformity correction.
Innovation Solution
An artificial disc with an asymmetrical nucleus having a non-central maximum vertical axis, allowing for lordotic or kyphotic adjustments, and end plates with adjustable geometry to provide mechanical stops and promote bony ingrowth for stability, while maintaining natural spinal kinematics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional symmetrical artificial disc designs are used, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the device cannot effectively correct spinal deformities such as kyphosis, lordosis, and scoliosis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by designing the nucleus with a non-central maximum vertical axis, creating an asymmetrical geometry that enables deformity correction. The nucleus has a preferred orientation that promotes off-center load bearing support, allowing correction of spinal deformities while maintaining a relatively simple single-piece structure that is manufacturable
2Reliability
If fixed geometry end plates are used, then the device structure is stable and easy to manufacture, but the device cannot provide adequate mechanical stops and bony ingrowth promotion for long-term stability
Solution Approach 1:
The end plates incorporate local quality variations through asymmetrical features including non-circular geometries, varying thickness distributions, and differentiated surface characteristics. These local variations provide mechanical stops in specific directions, promote bony ingrowth at particular locations, and enable deformity correction while maintaining overall structural stability
3Reliability
If symmetrical load bearing is provided, then the device structure is simple, but adjacent segment disease occurs due to insufficient off-center load bearing support
Solution Approach 1:
The nucleus is designed with asymmetry to provide off-center load bearing support, with the maximum vertical axis positioned non-centrally. This asymmetrical configuration creates preferred orientation and load bearing characteristics that reduce adjacent segment disease by more naturally distributing forces across the spinal segment, mimicking physiological load patterns
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an implantable joint prosthesis configured to replace a natural joint, and methods for implantation. The prosthesis may include a first component implantable in a first bone, having a first bearing surface, and a second component implantable in a second bone, having a second bearing surface which corresponds to the first bearing surface. Each bearing surface may include a flattened section such that when the bearing surfaces are placed in cooperation with one another in a preferred orientation, the flattened sections are aligned. Alternatively, the bearing surfaces may have and asymmetric configuration, with non-congruent surfaces that may enable correction of deformity. Several types of implantable joint prostheses are disclosed, including: carpometacarpal, metacarpophalangeal, metatarsophalangeal, distal interphalangeal, proximal interphalangeal, ankle, knee, shoulder, and hip.