Intervertebral Disc Prosthesis Single-Step Dual Fixation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Surgical procedures for inserting intervertebral disc prostheses into the spinal column are high-risk due to the proximity of the spinal cord, necessitating simplified methods for proper spacing and fixation of vertebrae.

Innovation Solution

An intervertebral disc prosthesis with a fixation mechanism using tusks and/or screws that engage endplates of adjacent vertebrae, along with a tool for simplified insertion, facilitating dual-point fixation through a single-step procedure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional multi-step fixation procedures are used, then fixation reliability is improved, but surgical risk and procedure complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixation reliabilityVSAvoidprocedure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple fixation functions into a single integrated prosthesis device that performs both spacing and dual-point fixation simultaneously. The face plate with tusks and screws integrates vertebra-to-vertebra fixation, vertebra-to-device fixation, and device-to-device fixation in one component, eliminating the need for separate fixation procedures and reducing surgical complexity while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The prosthesis is pre-configured with fixation elements (tusks and screws) positioned to engage vertebral endplates upon insertion. The face plate is pre-shaped to facilitate automatic engagement with the vertebral body, and the screw trajectories are pre-determined by the device geometry, allowing repeatable single-step fixation without complex intraoperative positioning

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Stability of the object's composition

If traditional fixation methods are used, then fixation stability is achieved, but surgical time and procedure duration increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixation stabilityVSAvoidsurgical time
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The fixation mechanism is segmented into distinct functional elements (tusks for initial engagement, screws for secure fixation) that work in sequence during a single insertion step. This segmentation allows each element to perform its specific function efficiently without requiring multiple separate surgical steps, reducing surgical time while maintaining stable fixation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The prosthesis design incorporates pre-determined screw trajectories and tusk positioning that automatically align with vertebral anatomy upon insertion. This preliminary configuration eliminates the need for time-consuming intraoperative measurement and positioning, allowing rapid achievement of stable fixation in a single surgical step

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2809250B1Intervertebral disc prosthesis
Publication Date: 2019.09.11 BLACKSTONE MEDICAL INC
  • EP2809250B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP2809250B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2809250B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure generally relates to an intervertebral disc prosthesis for partially or totally replacing an organic intervertebral disc. The disc prosthesis includes an interbody device, a face plate and a pair of locking mechanisms for achieving dual fixation in the cephalad and caudal direction. Methods according to the present disclosure achieve such dual fixation in a single fixation step.