Elastic Tether Structure for Multi-Segment Spinal Flexion Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for discogenic low back pain, such as spinal fusion, are invasive, costly, and of questionable effectiveness, and existing spinal implants only effectively restrict flexion in a single spinal segment, leaving a need for a solution to limit flexion in multiple adjacent segments.
Innovation Solution
The development of a tether structure that elastically couples spinous processes across multiple spinal segments, including those with the sacrum, to inhibit flexion while allowing unrestricted extension, using a contiguous tether system with compliance members to provide controlled elastic resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If spinal fusion surgery is performed to treat discogenic low back pain, then pain relief may be achieved, but the procedure is invasive, costly, and associated with high morbidity
Solution Approach 1:
The spinal column is divided into multiple mobile segments that are independently restrained by individual tether structures. Each tether structure addresses a specific spinal segment (e.g., L4-L5, L5-S1) rather than fusing the entire spine, allowing selective stabilization of affected areas while preserving motion in other segments. This segmentation approach reduces overall invasiveness compared to multi-level fusion surgery.
Solution Approach 2:
Elastic tether structures with compliance members are used to provide flexible restraint to spinous processes. These elastic elements allow controlled motion while preventing excessive flexion, replacing rigid fusion constructs with compliant, adaptive restraints that reduce surgical invasiveness and preserve physiological spinal mechanics.
2Stability of the object's composition
If existing spinal implants are used to restrict flexion, then single segment stability is improved, but multiple adjacent segments remain untreated
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple tether structures are combined into a single integrated implant system that can simultaneously address multiple adjacent spinal segments. The tether structures are interconnected through compliance members and spinous process engagement, creating a unified system that provides coordinated restraint across multiple segments (e.g., L3-L4, L4-L5, L5-S1) rather than requiring separate implants for each segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The tether structure system is designed with universal applicability to multiple spinal segments through standardized components that can be configured for different segment combinations. The compliance members and tether elements can be adapted to work across various spinal levels, allowing a single implant type to serve multiple functional restraint purposes across adjacent segments.
3Stability of the object's composition
If elastic restraint is applied to multiple spinous processes, then flexion control across segments is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex multi-segment restraint function is achieved by dividing the system into modular tether structure units, each handling a specific spinal segment. Each tether structure is a self-contained module that can be independently configured and attached to specific spinous processes, simplifying the overall design by breaking down the complex multi-segment function into manageable, repeatable units.
Solution Approach 2:
Tether structures are arranged in a nested or overlapping configuration where adjacent tethers share common compliance members or attachment points. This nesting approach allows multiple tether structures to be integrated into a compact unified system, reducing overall device complexity by eliminating redundant components and creating a hierarchical organization of restraint elements.
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 approach effectively limits flexion across multiple spinal segments, reducing pain and disability associated with discogenic low back pain without the drawbacks of invasive surgeries, and can be tailored to provide varying levels of resistance by adjusting the elasticity of compliance members.
Implementation Method 1
the compliance member 16 will typically include an internal element, such as a spring or rubber block, which is attached to the straps 12 and 14 in such a way that the straps may be 'elastically' or 'compliantly' pulled apart as the spinous processes SP4 and SP5 move apart during flexion
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, apparatus and systems for constraining spinous processes to elastically limit flexion of two or more adjacent spinal segments rely on placing a tether structure over at least three adjacent vertebral bodies or two adjacent vertebral bodies and the sacrum. The tether structures may be continuous, for example in the form of a continuous loop, or may be discontinuous, for example in the form of a loop or elongate element having at least two anchor structures for securing in bone.