Disc Implant with Flexible Coupling for Adaptive Fusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spine implant technologies face challenges in achieving optimal positioning and stability, leading to suboptimal fusion and prolonged recovery due to initial fixation during surgery, which may not align with the patient's natural position, and lack of dynamic stabilization.
Innovation Solution
A disc implant with inter-vertebral elements that remain movable for at least a day post-insertion and are fixed through bone ingrowth within 12 months, utilizing osseointegrative sections and coupling means to ensure anatomically correct fusion and stabilization, allowing for posterior or anterior insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the implant is fixed during surgery, then stability is improved, but the position may not align with patient's natural position leading to suboptimal fusion
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling means are designed to be flexible rather than rigid, allowing the first and second inter-vertebral elements to move relative to each other after implantation. This dynamic design enables the implant to adapt to the patient's natural spinal position and movement patterns while maintaining stability through bone ingrowth over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant is designed with preliminary flexibility that allows it to adapt to the natural position before final fixation occurs. Bone ingrowth gradually stabilizes the implant in the optimal position that naturally develops, rather than forcing a fixed position during surgery.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the implant allows movement after insertion, then position adaptability is improved, but initial stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The stability parameters of the implant change over time. Initially, the coupling means provide flexibility for position adaptation. As bone ingrowth progresses, the biological fixation process gradually increases stability until the implant becomes firmly anchored in the optimal position.
Solution Approach 2:
Bone tissue acts as an intermediary that gradually transitions the implant from a mobile state to a fixed state. The bone ingrowth process mediates between the need for initial movement and the requirement for final stability, allowing the implant to adapt while progressively gaining stability.
3Ease of operation
If fixed fixation is used during surgery, then ease of operation is improved, but recovery time increases due to suboptimal fusion
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible coupling means allow the implant to naturally adapt to the patient's anatomy after surgery, promoting optimal fusion conditions. This reduces the need for revision surgeries and accelerates recovery compared to rigid fixed fixation that may cause malpositioning.
4Adaptability or versatility
If flexible coupling is used, then position adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The implant is divided into separate inter-vertebral elements connected by flexible coupling means. This segmentation allows each element to move independently, providing adaptability while keeping the overall design relatively simple and manageable.
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
This approach enables the disc implant to adapt to the patient's natural position over time, enhancing the likelihood of successful recovery by allowing initial movement followed by stable fixation, thus reducing the risk of secondary complications and shortening recovery periods.
Implementation Method 1
Following surgery, bone tissue grows around the implant and thereby fusion with the vertebra bodies is obtained
Data Source
AI summary
A problem with total disc implant surgery appears to be the positioning of the implant which, if not correct, may lead to pain and eventually new surgery. The present invention relates to an improved disc implant (1) for total disc replacement, comprising two inter-vertebral elements (2) which are flexibly connected via coupling means (4,5). Following surgery, the relative movability of the two inter-vertebral elements is decreased over time, as bone ingrowth occurring around the implant and specifically through osseointegrative sections gradually decrease the movability of the elements relative to each other. Following, the relative movability of the implant elements is replaced by fixation of the elements. The fixation has flowingly occurred in a position affected by the movement of the patient, and is thereby more acceptable to the patient.