Intervertebral Disc Prosthesis with Detachable Heads for Spinal Motion Preservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for degenerative intervertebral discs often result in loss of motion between vertebrae, either by removing or fusing the disc, which does not effectively restore natural spinal function and can lead to further complications such as nerve compression and alignment issues.
Innovation Solution
A novel intervertebral disc prosthesis made of biocompatible materials like metal, ceramic, or hard plastic, designed to be easily implantable and explantable, which distracts adjacent vertebrae to restore natural motion by having a height greater than the normal disc space, allowing for decompression and realignment, and can be used for both motion preservation and spinal fusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the disc is removed or fused to treat degenerative disc disease, then pain and nerve compression are relieved, but natural spinal motion is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The prosthesis is divided into separate components: a main body inserted through the disc space and detachable heads at each end that engage with the vertebral bodies. This segmentation allows the prosthesis to be implanted through a small incision while providing stable articulation points for motion preservation.
Solution Approach 2:
The prosthesis incorporates movable joints and articulating surfaces that enable dynamic motion between vertebrae. The detachable heads can rotate and translate relative to the main body, preserving natural spinal movement patterns while supporting the disc space and eliminating nerve compression.
2Ease of operation
If a prosthesis is designed with detachable heads for easy implantation, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The prosthesis is divided into separate components: a main body inserted through the disc space and detachable heads at each end that engage with the vertebral bodies. This segmentation allows the prosthesis to be implanted through a small incision while providing stable articulation points for motion preservation.
Solution Approach 2:
The heads are pre-formed with complementary engagement features that match the main body and vertebral surfaces. This preliminary preparation of the head geometries enables quick attachment and detachment during implantation without requiring complex real-time assembly procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
Prosthesis for inserting into a damaged intervertebral disc. The prosthesis has an elongated tubular main prosthesis body with a length to fit laterally from one side of a disc to the other at its mid-plane. The main prosthesis body is composed of two parts transversely oriented and has a vertical height deliberately greater than the height of normal disc space. Heads having a vertical height greater than the vertical height of the main prosthesis body are mounted on the ends of the main prosthesis body.