Dynamic Spinal Stabilization System for Motion Preservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal stabilization technologies fail to effectively mimic the natural motion of healthy vertebral segments, leading to limited range of motion and increased stress on adjacent segments, and are inadequate for treating facet joint disorders and other spinal indications.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic stabilization system comprising superior and inferior components with adjustable strut members and joints that allow for compressible and distractable movement, enabling spinal motion similar to a healthy segment without removing any spinal structure, and can be used in conjunction with prosthetic intervertebral discs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If spine fusion is performed to eliminate spinal pain, then pain relief is achieved, but range of motion is limited and stress on adjacent segments increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic stabilization system employs movable components including a polyaxial pedicle screw with adjustable rod connection, a rod with articulating joints, and a compression member that can dynamically adjust. This dynamic structure provides pain relief through stabilization while preserving physiological range of motion, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows parameter changes in the stabilization mechanism, specifically the ability to adjust compression forces, rod positioning, and joint articulation. These parameter adjustments enable the device to provide adequate stabilization for pain relief while maintaining flexibility for natural spinal motion, addressing both pain relief and range of motion requirements.
2Stability of the object's composition
If spine fusion is performed to stabilize the spine, then spinal stability is improved, but adjacent motion segments experience accelerated degeneration
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic stabilization system maintains spinal stability through controlled articulation and compression mechanisms that adapt to physiological motion. By providing dynamic rather than rigid stabilization, the system preserves motion in adjacent segments, preventing the accelerated degeneration that occurs with fusion, thus improving both spinal stability and adjacent segment durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The rod with articulating joints acts as an intermediary element that transmits and distributes mechanical loads along the spinal column. This intermediary structure allows for physiological motion while maintaining overall stability, reducing stress concentration on adjacent segments and preventing accelerated degeneration.
3Ease of operation
If artificial intervertebral discs are used to restore motion, then range of motion is improved, but facet joint disorders are not adequately addressed
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic stabilization system serves multiple functions: it provides spinal stabilization, preserves range of motion through articulating joints, and specifically addresses facet joint disorders through the polyaxial pedicle screw and compression member configuration. This multi-functionality allows the single system to address both motion restoration and facet joint treatment, resolving the contradiction between range of motion and treatment efficacy.
4Stability of the object's composition
If rigid stabilization devices are used to prevent translation, then spinal stability is improved, but natural motion is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces rigid stabilization with dynamic components including articulating joints in the rod and adjustable polyaxial connections. These dynamic elements control undesirable translations through controlled articulation while preserving natural physiological motion, directly resolving the contradiction between translation control and natural motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The compression member and ligament-like structures provide flexible stabilization that controls translation through soft tissue-like compliance. This flexible approach maintains spinal stability while allowing natural motion, contrasting with rigid devices that restrict physiological movement.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and devices for dynamically stabilizing the spine are provided. The systems include a superior component for attachment to a superior vertebra of a spinal motion segment and an inferior component for attachment to an inferior vertebral of a spinal motion segment. The interconnection between the two components enables the spinal motion segment to move in a manner that mimics the natural motion of the spinal motion segment. Methods are also provided for stabilizing the spine and for implanting the subject systems.