Vertebral Disc Tensioning Device Using Spring Bias
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Solution Overview
Problem
Degenerative disc disease leads to loss of disc height, causing chronic back and leg pain due to nerve pinching, and current treatments are costly and often invasive, with a significant societal burden.
Innovation Solution
A vertebral disc tensioning device using pedicle screws with a spring assembly to apply a bias, restoring disc space height by separating the screws, allowing for controlled distraction and regeneration of the disc, while maintaining spinal mobility and flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional surgical treatments (fusion and/or disc replacement) are used, then disc height restoration and pain relief are achieved, but the treatment becomes invasive and costly with significant societal burden
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the treatment approach by using separate pedicle screws inserted into vertebral bodies, connected by a bridge structure, rather than replacing the entire disc or performing fusion. This allows targeted intervention that restores disc height without the need for invasive fusion procedures or complete disc replacement, thereby reducing surgical complexity while maintaining effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The bridge structure acts as an intermediary element connecting the pedicle screws in adjacent vertebrae. This intermediary component applies controlled distraction force to restore disc height without requiring direct manipulation of the disc itself or invasive fusion techniques, thus achieving pain relief with less invasive surgery.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the disc space height is restored by separating vertebrae, then nerve pinching is alleviated, but the structural stability of the spine may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The pedicle screws are inserted into the vertebral bodies before the bridge is attached, establishing secure anchor points in advance. This preliminary action ensures that when the bridge applies distraction force to restore disc height and alleviate nerve pinching, the vertebrae are already stabilized by the screw-bridge construct, preventing structural instability.
Solution Approach 2:
The bridge structure provides controlled distraction force that can be adjusted to achieve optimal disc height restoration. This feedback mechanism allows the surgeon to apply just enough force to relieve nerve pinching while maintaining spinal stability through the screw-bridge construct, avoiding over-distraction that could compromise structural integrity.
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 device effectively restores disc height, reduces pain by alleviating nerve pinching, and offers a less invasive alternative to traditional surgical treatments, addressing the economic and clinical challenges of degenerative disc disease.
Implementation Method 1
a spring member applying a bias to gradually separate the pedicle screws to restore disc space height over time
Data Source
AI summary
A vertebral disc tensioning device that restores the loss of disc height as a result of disc degeneration and other factors. The device includes first and second pedicle screws each including a screw body portion and a ball head. The device also includes first and second screw head portions each including an internal threaded bore where the first screw is inserted in the first screw head portion and is pivotally mounted relative thereto and the second screw is inserted in the second screw head portion and is pivotally mounted thereto. The device also includes a rigid connector that couples the first and second screw head portions where bolts are threaded through the connector and into the internal threaded bores of the first and second screw head portions. The device also includes a spring assembly offset from the rigid connector that applies a bias to separate the pedicle screws.