Cartilage Bearing Spinal Implants for Mobility and Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for degenerative disc disease, such as spinal fusion, result in loss of spinal mobility and can lead to early degeneration in adjacent segments, while non-biological disc replacement prosthetics face challenges like wear debris and inflammatory responses.

Innovation Solution

The use of cartilage-bearing graft material derived from human or non-human sources for dynamic spinal implants, which mimic the natural disc's shock absorption and stability, incorporating articular cartilage as a bearing interface between bone surfaces and utilizing textured features for fixation and prevention of migration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If spinal fusion is used to stabilize the spinal motion segment, then pain is alleviated and stability is improved, but spinal mobility is lost and adjacent segments may undergo early degeneration

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestabilityVSAvoidspinal mobility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the spinal stabilization problem into two separate functions: the dynamic disc replacement prosthesis maintains mobility at the disc level, while the facet joint arthroplasty with cartilage bearing graft material provides stability at the facet joint level. This segmentation allows each component to address its specific function without compromising the other, resolving the contradiction between stability and mobility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cartilage bearing graft material changes the friction and wear parameters of the facet joint interface, transforming it from a high-friction articulation to a low-friction, wear-resistant bearing surface. This parameter change enables the facet joint to provide stable support while maintaining smooth motion, addressing both stability and mobility requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If non-biological disc replacement prosthetics are used, then disc replacement is achieved, but wear debris is generated and inflammatory responses occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisc replacement functionalityVSAvoidwear debris and inflammatory responses

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses composite material construction for the dynamic disc replacement prosthesis, combining biocompatible materials such as metal endplates with polymer or cartilage bearing cores. This composite approach reduces wear debris generation compared to single-material prosthetics while maintaining structural integrity and disc replacement functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The cartilage bearing graft material in the facet joint arthroplasty serves as a wear-resistant bearing surface that can be replaced if needed, functioning as a consumable component that protects the permanent implant structures from wear and inflammatory responses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If cartilage bearing graft material is used in facet joint arthroplasty, then wear resistance and biocompatibility are improved, but implant complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewear resistanceVSAvoidimplant structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the facet joint arthroplasty components into an integrated assembly where the cartilage bearing graft material is combined with the facet joint prosthesis as a unified implant unit. This merging simplifies the implantation procedure and reduces the number of separate components that need to be managed, offsetting the increased material complexity with procedural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Preserves spinal mobility and reduces the risk of wear debris and inflammatory responses, providing a biocompatible solution that mimics the natural disc's mechanical properties and stability.

Implementation Method 1

mimic the natural disc's shock absorption and stability

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShock absorption: Viscoelasticity

Implementation Method 2

utilizing textured features for fixation and prevention of migration

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS8603174B2Dynamic spinal implants incorporating cartilage bearing graft material

Publication Date: 2013.12.10 ZIMMER BIOMET SPINE INC

AI summary

A dynamic spinal implant utilizes cartilage bearing graft material in dynamic disc replacement and/or facet arthroplasty. Methods and apparatus for dynamic spinal implants incorporate bulk articular graft tissues derived from donor joint sources in human (allograft or autograft) or non-human (xenograft) tissue. The donor joint is preferably prepared as a biological dynamic spinal implant with articular cartilage as a bearing interface between adjacent bone surfaces that naturally articulate with respect to one another.