Cervical Disc Implant Stacking and Bone Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for cervical intervertebral disc degeneration often result in immobilization of the spine, leading to adjacent level degeneration and the need for multiple surgical procedures, which is undesirable for patient quality of life.
Innovation Solution
The development of a cervical intervertebral disc implant with saddle-shaped articulating surfaces and a design that allows for the offsetting of projections between successive implants, minimizing the risk of vertebral bone cracking and enabling the stacking of multiple implants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional cervical disc treatments are used, then the spine is immobilized to treat degeneration, but adjacent level degeneration occurs and multiple surgical procedures are required
Solution Approach 1:
The implant is divided into separate upper and lower articulating surfaces that can independently articulate with adjacent vertebrae, allowing each segment to move independently while maintaining overall spinal stability and preventing adjacent level degeneration
Solution Approach 2:
The implant incorporates dynamic articulating surfaces with saddle-shaped geometry that allow controlled motion between vertebrae, replacing static fusion with dynamic movement that preserves spinal mobility and reduces stress on adjacent levels
2Ease of operation
If multiple implants are stacked to treat multiple disc levels, then mobility is improved, but vertebral bone cracking may occur due to misaligned projections
Solution Approach 1:
The implant features asymmetric projection positioning where the projection on one implant is deliberately offset from the projections on adjacent implants, creating a staggered configuration that prevents alignment of stress pathways and reduces the risk of vertebral bone cracking when multiple implants are stacked
Solution Approach 2:
The offset projection design introduces a spatial dimension to the stacking configuration, where projections are arranged in an offset pattern across multiple implant levels, transforming a potentially problematic one-dimensional alignment issue into a three-dimensional distributed configuration that disperses stress
Data Source
AI summary
A kit for preparing an intervertebral disc space for receiving an implant (100) includes a plurality of trials (152) having different sizes. Each trial (152) includes a body (154) insertible into an intervertebral disc space, the body (154) having a leading end (162), a trailing end (164), a top surface (156) and a bottom surface (160), the top surface of the body having a first groove (176) formed therein. Each implant also includes a flange (166) secured to the trailing end (164) of the body (154), the flange (166) having a first channel (180) aligned with the first groove (176), wherein each of the different sized trials has a different flange thickness. The flange thickness controls advancement of a cutting tool such as a chisel (192) into the first groove at the top surface of the trial body, which controls the depth of the cut into vertebral bone.