Dynamic Spine Stabilizers for Controlled Vertebral Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rigid stabilization of spinal motion segments often leads to immobilization, causing unloading of the disk, slowing bone fusion, and accelerating degeneration in neighboring segments, due to the lack of systems that can stabilize while allowing for necessary movement.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic spine stabilization system comprising bone fasteners and dynamic stabilizers that allow for relative movement between vertebrae, incorporating springs, compressible elements, and bowed segments to provide stability while permitting bending and axial movement, thereby reducing degeneration and enhancing fusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If rigid stabilization is used to immobilize motion segments, then spinal stability is improved, but bone fusion is slowed and neighboring joint degeneration accelerates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transitioning from rigid stabilization to dynamic stabilization that permits controlled motion. The dynamic stabilizer device allows physiological movement between vertebrae while maintaining stability, thereby preventing the unloading of the disk and promoting bone fusion through controlled micromotion and stress distribution to adjacent segments.
2Stability of the object's composition
If rigid stabilization is used to immobilize motion segments, then spinal stability is improved, but neighboring joint degeneration accelerates
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic stabilizer maintains spinal stability while permitting controlled motion, preventing the transfer of excessive stresses to adjacent motion segments that would occur with rigid immobilization. This dynamic approach distributes mechanical loads more evenly across the spinal column, reducing the acceleration of degeneration in neighboring joints.
3Stability of the object's composition
If total immobilization is used, then spinal stability is improved, but disk unloading occurs and fusion is slowed
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic stabilizer provides stability while maintaining controlled motion that prevents disk unloading. By allowing physiological movement, the device maintains stress on the intervertebral disk and promotes bone fusion through controlled micromotion, eliminating the need for total immobilization and accelerating the fusion process.
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 dynamic stabilization system maintains spinal stability while allowing for necessary movement, reducing degeneration in neighboring joints and promoting faster and more substantial bone fusion, thereby addressing the limitations of rigid stabilization.
Implementation Method 1
The dynamic stabilizer may incorporate a spring that allows for relative movement between the bone fasteners
Implementation Method 2
The dynamic stabilizer may incorporate a compressible element that allows for movement of the bone fasteners with respect to one another in an axial direction
Implementation Method 3
The dynamic stabilizer may incorporate a bowed segment that allows for movement of the bone fasteners with respect to one another
Data Source
AI summary
Treatment of spinal irregularities, including, in one or more embodiments, dynamic spine stabilizers and systems that can be used to stabilize one or more motion segments in a patient's spine. Spine stabilization systems may comprise a first bone fastener configured to attach the spine stabilization system to a first vertebra. Spine stabilization systems further may comprise a second bone fastener configured to attach the spine stabilization system to a second vertebra. Spine stabilization systems further may comprise a dynamic spine stabilizer configured to connect the first bone fastener and the second bone fastener with at least some relative movement between the first bone fastener and the second bone fastener.