Facet Joint Distractor for Foraminal Height Expansion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for spinal stenosis, such as closed traction and invasive surgeries, are either ineffective in reducing radicular symptoms or come with significant complications like high costs, long recovery times, and a high incidence of re-operation.

Innovation Solution

A spinal joint distraction system comprising a driver assembly with a tubular shaft, implant holder arms, an implant distractor, and an internal actuator, along with a delivery device and various implants designed to distract and maintain the distracted position of facet joints, thereby increasing foraminal height and reducing radicular symptoms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If closed traction is used to treat spinal stenosis, then radicular symptoms may be alleviated, but the treatment is often ineffective in significantly reducing symptoms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffectiveness of treatmentVSAvoidminimally invasive approach

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a facet joint distractor as an intermediary device that physically separates the articular processes of adjacent vertebrae to increase foraminal height. This mediator device provides mechanical distraction to relieve nerve root compression, bridging the gap between conservative closed traction and invasive surgery by directly addressing the anatomical constraint causing radicular symptoms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The treatment approach segments the problem by specifically targeting the facet joint articulation as the source of foraminal stenosis. By isolating and distracting only the affected facet joint rather than applying global traction to the entire spine, the device provides focused relief to the compressed nerve root while maintaining stability in other spinal segments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If anterior spinal fusion surgery is performed to treat spinal stenosis, then foraminal height may be increased, but the procedure is highly invasive with long recovery times

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffectiveness of treatmentVSAvoidinvasiveness of procedure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential function of spinal fusion (increasing foraminal height) by removing the need for extensive soft tissue dissection, muscle detachment, and hardware implantation. The facet joint distractor achieves the same anatomical goal through a minimally invasive percutaneous approach, taking out only the necessary distraction function while eliminating the harmful invasive elements of traditional fusion surgery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of fusing vertebrae together to indirectly increase foraminal height, the patent inverts the approach by directly distracting the facet joint articulation to achieve the same anatomical result. This reversal of the traditional fusion paradigm provides equivalent symptom relief through a less invasive mechanism that preserves spinal motion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If cervical spine surgery is performed to treat spinal stenosis, then radicular symptoms may be reduced, but there is a three percent incidence of re-operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedurability of treatmentVSAvoidcost of treatment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The facet joint distractor employs a dynamic design with threaded adjustment mechanisms that allow post-operative modification of distraction force and foraminal height. This dynamic adjustability enables optimization of the treatment effect over time, potentially preventing symptom recurrence and reducing the need for re-operation while providing long-term durability of the intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If traditional surgery is used to increase foraminal height, then radicular symptoms are reduced, but the biomechanics of the neck are modified

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesymptom reliefVSAvoidbiomechanics of spine

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by restricting the distraction effect to only the specific facet joint causing foraminal stenosis, while leaving other spinal segments unchanged. The facet joint distractor creates a localized mechanical effect at the target articulation, providing symptom relief without altering the global biomechanics and stability of the cervical spine

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS20250160812A1Vertebral joint implants and delivery tools

Publication Date: 2025.05.22 PROVIDENCE MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

A spinal joint distraction system for treating a facet joint including articular surfaces having a contour is disclosed and may include a delivery device including a generally tubular structure adapted to engage a facet joint, an implant adapted to be delivered through the delivery device and into the facet joint, the implant comprising two members arranged in opposed position, and an implant distractor comprising a generally elongate member adapted to advance between the two members of the implant causing separation of the members and distraction of the facet joint, wherein the implant is adapted to conform to the shape of the implant distractor and/or the articular surfaces of the facet upon being delivered to the facet joint. Several embodiments of a system, several embodiments of an implant, and several methods are disclosed including a method for interbody fusion.