Patient-Specific Disc Replacement Flexures for Spinal Stability and Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spinal fusion procedures often fail to provide adequate long-term relief for back pain and can accelerate degeneration in adjacent spinal segments due to restricted motion and improper stability, failing to account for the complex, multi-dimensional nature of spinal movement and individual patient-specific needs.
Innovation Solution
A patient-specific total disc replacement system that allows for tailored stiffness and range of motion in multiple planes, including flexion/extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation, using rolling-contact cores and flexures that can be customized to match individual patient needs through pre-operative studies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If spinal fusion is performed to stabilize the spine, then stability is improved, but motion is restricted and adjacent segment degeneration accelerates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the stiffness characteristics of the spinal implant to provide stable support while preserving physiological motion. The implant uses adjustable stiffness elements that can be tuned to match patient-specific requirements, allowing the spine to remain stable during weight-bearing while maintaining natural motion ranges during flexion and extension.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by designing a spinal implant with dynamic, adjustable stiffness properties rather than fixed rigid structures. The implant can adapt its mechanical characteristics based on loading conditions and patient needs, transitioning between stable support mode and motion-permissive mode to resolve the contradiction between stability and motion preservation.
2Reliability
If spinal fusion is performed to eliminate pain, then short-term relief is achieved, but long-term relief is inadequate and adjacent segments degenerate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by conducting pre-operative motion analysis and patient-specific assessments before implant placement. This allows the implant to be pre-configured with optimal stiffness parameters and motion characteristics tailored to the individual patient's anatomy and biomechanics, ensuring long-term effectiveness rather than temporary relief.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms through pre-operative motion studies and intraoperative adjustments that allow real-time optimization of implant performance. The system uses measured patient-specific motion data to adjust implant parameters, creating a feedback loop that ensures the implant provides appropriate stability and motion control for long-term pain relief.
3Ease of manufacture
If a universal spinal implant is used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but patient-specific needs are not met
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the spinal implant into modular components with independent adjustable characteristics. Each module can be individually configured for specific stiffness, motion range, and mechanical properties, allowing patient-specific customization while maintaining standardized manufacturing processes for each modular element.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by creating a platform-based implant system that can serve multiple patient types and spinal conditions through adjustable parameters. The universal platform maintains ease of manufacture through standardized base components while providing adaptability through configurable stiffness elements and motion characteristics that can be tailored to individual patient needs.
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
The system provides improved stability and natural motion patterns, reducing the risk of adjacent segment degeneration by maintaining proper spinal segment health and reducing stress on adjacent vertebrae and discs, while allowing for a sufficient range of motion.
Implementation Method 1
a first rolling-contact core that is operably coupled to the first vertebra... the convex surface providing a rolling motion in a first direction to the vertebra coupled to the rolling-contact core relative to a second vertebra
Implementation Method 2
At least one flexure optionally connected to the first rolling-contact core constrains, at least in part, the rolling motion of the first rolling-contact core
Data Source
AI summary
A method of tailoring a spinal implant to correspond to a specific patient's needs includes: pre-operatively evaluating a patient to determine a desired spinal segment response; and modifying one or more features of flexures of an implant to provide the desired spinal segment response. Modifying one or more features of flexures of the implant can include modifying one or more of a thickness, width, length and/or shape of the features of the flexures. Various systems for executing the methodologies taught herein are also provided.