Covered Implants With Protrusions for Intervertebral Disc Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional implant devices for sealing intervertebral disc defects are susceptible to shifting, migration, or displacement, leading to leakage of nucleus pulposus material and complications, while also failing to withstand hydrostatic displacement forces over a patient's lifetime without interfering with vertebral column motion.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising an implant with protrusions and a covering configured to prevent leakage and resist displacement, where the covering is coupled to the implant either directly or indirectly, made from bio-compatible materials, and can transition between insertion and deployed configurations to enhance sealing performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional implant devices are used for sealing intervertebral disc defects, then the implant can be inserted to seal the defect, but the implant is susceptible to shifting, migration, or displacement leading to leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The implant is divided into multiple components: a central body portion and multiple protrusions that can independently engage with the annulus fibrosus. This segmentation allows the protrusions to provide anchoring while the body maintains the seal, preventing both leakage and displacement simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusions are configured to be received within or engage with the annulus fibrosus structure, creating a nested configuration where the implant components are housed within the natural anatomical structure. This nesting provides stable positioning while maintaining sealing effectiveness.
2Reliability
If the implant is designed to resist hydrostatic displacement forces, then leakage prevention is improved, but the implant may interfere with vertebral column motion
Solution Approach 1:
The implant incorporates flexible or movable elements that allow dynamic adjustment during vertebral column motion. The protrusions can flex or rotate to accommodate movement while maintaining engagement with the annulus, preventing leakage without restricting the full range of motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant material properties are designed to change under different loading conditions - remaining rigid enough to prevent leakage under hydrostatic pressure but flexible enough to accommodate physiological motion of the vertebral column. This parameter change allows the implant to adapt to different functional states.
Data Source
AI summary
In some aspects, a device comprising an implant configured for insertion into a portion of human anatomy, and at least one covering coupled to the implant is provided. According to some aspects, the implant comprises one or more protrusions configured to prevent leakage of material and/or to resist displacement of the implant. According to some aspects, the covering is configured to facilitate improved leakage and/or implant displacement prevention.