Intervertebral Disk Implant Core With Spring Regions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Artificial intervertebral disk implants face challenges in replicating the natural resilient and dynamic behavior under varying spinal column movements, leading to difficulties in biocompatibility and ease of use, particularly in distributing pressure loads effectively.
Innovation Solution
The design includes two implant plates and an implant core with a lens-like shape, featuring spherical segments or cylindrical components, which are adapted to reduce peak loads through specific geometrical modifications and material distribution, such as spring regions and a multi-part structure with a support cushion and shell, ensuring optimal resilience and pressure distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the implant core has full-surface contact articulation surfaces with the implant plates, then the contact area is maximized, but local load peaks occur causing increased abrasion and wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating spring regions with reduced material density or different material properties in specific areas of the implant core. This allows the implant core to have varying local characteristics: softer spring regions that deform to distribute loads and harder regions that maintain structural integrity, thereby reducing peak loads and abrasion at contact points while maintaining adequate contact area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes physical parameters of the implant core by introducing spring regions with modified material properties (such as reduced density, different elasticity, or hollow structures). These parameter changes enable the implant core to adapt its mechanical response under load, transforming from a rigid full-contact structure to a compliant structure that redistributes stresses and reduces peak loads at articulation surfaces.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the implant core geometry is adapted to reduce peak loads, then abrasion and wear are reduced, but the complexity of the implant structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the implant core into distinct regions: spring regions with reduced material density and non-spring regions with full material density. This segmentation allows each region to perform its specific function - spring regions absorb and distribute loads to reduce peak stresses, while non-spring regions provide structural support. The segmented approach achieves wear reduction without requiring complete geometric complexity throughout the entire implant.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by implementing spring regions only in specific areas where load distribution is needed, rather than making the entire implant core complex. The spring regions are strategically positioned to address peak load areas, while other regions maintain simpler geometry. This partial application of complexity achieves the desired wear reduction effect without unnecessarily increasing overall device complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If the implant core is made as a single piece, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the ability to provide optimized resilient behavior under different pressure conditions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains relative manufacturing simplicity while achieving optimized resilient behavior through local quality variations. By using techniques such as selective material removal, varying material density, or creating hollow structures in specific regions during the molding or machining process, the implant core achieves different mechanical properties in different areas without requiring assembly of multiple complex components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves adapted resilient behavior through parameter changes within a largely monolithic structure. By modifying material parameters (density, elasticity, hardness) in specific regions through manufacturing processes like selective reinforcement, material removal, or varying wall thickness during molding, the single-piece implant core can provide optimized spring characteristics in load-bearing areas while maintaining structural integrity throughout.
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 configuration reduces peak loads by up to 30%, minimizes abrasion and wear, and provides a hydrostatic support effect, enhancing the implant's ability to mimic natural intervertebral disk behavior while ensuring biocompatibility and ease of introduction between vertebral bodies.
Implementation Method 1
the implant core has a basic shape of two spherical segments whose planar sides lie on top of one another or face one another and is provided by material removal from the basic shape with at least one spring region which gives the implant core increased resilient shape changeability with respect to the basic shape under the effect of pressure
Implementation Method 2
hollow spaces filled with liquid between the outer surface of the implant core and the counter surfaces of the implant plates, which are sealed by a contact of implant core and implant plates, can bring about or support an advantageous hydrostatic support effect in that the effective support surface is expanded to the whole inner region
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an intervertebral disk implant having two implant plates contacting prepared vertebral body surfaces in the implanted state and an implant core which can be introduced between the implant plates. The invention further relates to a method for the manufacture of an intervertebral disk implant.