Vertebral Facet Joint Drill for Spinal Mobility Preservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical procedures for addressing degenerative facet joints in the spine often result in high morbidity and irreversible fusion, which can lead to additional complications and loss of mobility, as they involve fusing adjacent vertebrae to stop pain but do not effectively restore motion or address bone-on-bone contact.
Innovation Solution
A device and method for creating holes in the articular processes of the vertebra using a lumen-forming tool with a shaft, actuator, and drill bit, allowing for the restoration of spacing and motion between facets without significant bony resection, and a prosthesis with adjustable anchoring to maintain anatomical motion and alleviate pain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional fusion procedures are used to address degenerative facet joints, then pain is alleviated by stopping motion between vertebrae, but spinal mobility is lost and morbidity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a facet joint prosthesis as an intermediary device between the degenerated facet joints. This prosthesis restores normal joint spacing and acts as a mediator that eliminates bone-on-bone contact while preserving physiological motion, thereby alleviating pain without sacrificing spinal mobility
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the critical parameter of facet joint spacing by inserting a prosthesis with specific thickness designed to restore normal anatomical spacing. This parameter change prevents bone-on-bone contact and restores proper joint mechanics, addressing pain while maintaining motion capability
2Object-affected harmful factors
If fusion procedures are performed to stop facet motion and pain, then pain relief is achieved, but the procedure becomes irreversible and additional complications may arise
Solution Approach 1:
The facet joint prosthesis provides a dynamic solution that allows physiological motion between vertebrae, unlike static fusion procedures. The prosthesis is designed to move with the joint, preserving adaptability and reversibility while eliminating pain-causing bone-on-bone contact
3Ease of operation
If significant bony resection is performed to address facet degeneration, then access to the joint is improved, but morbidity and loss of anatomical structures increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs preliminary action by using a drill guide attached to the prosthesis to pre-establish the exact drilling trajectory and depth before actual drilling. This preliminary positioning ensures accurate hole creation in the articular processes without requiring excessive bone removal or extensive surgical exposure
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 solution enables the preservation of spinal mobility by restoring facet joint motion and alleviating pain without the high morbidity of traditional fusion procedures, providing a reversible and minimally invasive option for treating degenerative facet joints.
Implementation Method 1
a lumen-forming arm (410) comprising a drill bit (412)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
Devices and methods for creating lumens in the articular process of the vertebra are provided. An embodiment of the invention can be a tool that can cut a curved lumen through the articular process. The tool can have a lumen-forming arm with a rotating drill contained within that can be powered by a drill motor. The lumen-forming arm can be axially translated to cut a path through the articular process. Methods of using the resulting lumens to anchor or stabilize facet joint prosthesis, and also altering the spacing and motion at the facet joints of the vertebral column, are provided.