Cervical Spine Interspinous Stabilization Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for cervical spine instability lack effective dynamic and rigid stabilization options due to anatomical constraints and biomechanical considerations, limiting the availability of convertible devices that can provide either dynamic or rigid fixation, especially in the cervical spine region.
Innovation Solution
Development of interlaminar, interspinous spinal stabilization devices that are dynamic, rigid, and convertible, featuring unitary bodies with screw holes, brackets, and modular designs allowing for secure fixation using bone screws, crimping, or rivets, enabling flexible stabilization and fusion promotion at multiple levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rigid spinal fixation systems (screws, rods, cages) are used to stabilize the cervical spine, then vertebral alignment and stability are restored, but the procedure becomes complex and requires significant anatomical disruption
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the stabilization function from complex multi-component fixation systems and concentrates it into a single interspinous device that operates independently between spinous processes, eliminating the need for screws, rods, and cages
Solution Approach 2:
The interspinous device acts as an intermediary element that stabilizes the spine by working between the spinous processes rather than requiring direct attachment to vertebral bodies, simplifying the overall system while maintaining reliability
2Reliability
If external orthosis or bracing is used to reduce micromotion and promote fusion, then bone healing is facilitated, but patient mobility and quality of life are significantly restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the external mechanical bracing system with an internal interspinous device that provides stabilization from within, eliminating the need for external orthosis and associated mobility restrictions while maintaining fusion promotion capabilities
3Reliability
If the cervical spine is stabilized at multiple levels simultaneously, then comprehensive instability is addressed, but the surgical procedure and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention addresses multi-level instability by placing multiple independent interspinous devices at different spinal levels rather than using a single complex multi-level system, allowing modular treatment of each affected segment independently
Data Source
AI summary
Dynamic, rigid, and convertible dynamic-to-rigid devices and methods of using such devices to treat spinal instability conditions of the cervical spine are provided. The devices may include an interspinous, interlaminar stabilization device configured for interlaminar placement between the spinous processes of adjacent cervical vertebrae and optionally secured to the lamina using bone screws or crimped or rigidly fixed to the spinous process. Multiple devices may be used to enable treatment of multiple levels at the same time.