Artificial Facet Joint System With Elastic Sliding Rods
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal fusion treatments for conditions like spondylosis and osteoporosis-related fractures often result in reduced range of motion and are invasive, leading to increased recovery times and discomfort.
Innovation Solution
The development of artificial facet joint systems that include a housing with sliding rods and an elastic element, allowing for natural spinal motion while maintaining stability, using cortical or lateral mass screws for minimally invasive implantation and preserving the natural facet joint center of rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If spinal fusion is performed to treat spondylosis or fractures, then spinal stability is preserved, but range of motion is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the spinal stabilization function into modular components: a housing unit, elastic elements, and rod assemblies. This allows the device to provide stability through the elastic elements while permitting controlled motion through the sliding rod mechanism, resolving the contradiction between stability and range of motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The device transitions from a static fusion approach to a dynamic system where the elastic elements and sliding rods enable controlled movement. The rods can slide within the housing to accommodate spinal motion while the elastic elements maintain stabilizing forces, achieving both stability and preserved range of motion.
2Stability of the object's composition
If traditional spinal fusion with screws and rods is used, then spinal stability is achieved, but the procedure is highly invasive with increased recovery time
Solution Approach 1:
The device extracts the essential stabilization function from the complex traditional fusion procedure. By using a self-contained housing with integrated elastic elements and sliding rods, the device achieves spinal stability without requiring extensive bone removal, multiple screw placements, and rigid rod fixation, thereby reducing surgical invasiveness and recovery time.
Solution Approach 2:
The device changes the mechanical parameters of spinal stabilization by using elastic elements that provide compliant support rather than rigid fixation. This allows for physiological motion while maintaining stability, reducing the need for aggressive surgical intervention and enabling faster patient recovery.
3Stability of the object's composition
If spinal fusion is performed to remove degenerative tissue, then spinal stability is improved, but normal spinal motion is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The device implements dynamic motion capability through sliding rods that can move within the housing along with elastic elements. This allows the device to adapt to various spinal motions including flexion, extension, and lateral bending while maintaining stability, preserving normal spinal motion capability rather than eliminating it through fusion.
Solution Approach 2:
The device changes the motion parameters by allowing controlled displacement of the rods within the housing. The elastic elements maintain stabilizing forces while the rods accommodate physiological spinal motions, enabling the device to adapt to different motion states and preserve normal spinal function.
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
These systems enable normal spinal stability and motion, reducing recovery times and patient discomfort by mimicking natural facet joint biomechanics, allowing for flexion, extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation while minimizing invasive procedures.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic element disposed within the internal space. The elastic element is coupled to and extending between the internal end portion of the first rod and the internal end portion of the second rod
Data Source
AI summary
Devices and systems can be used to treating spinal conditions. For example, this document describes artificial facet joint systems that can be implanted to treat spinal conditions while facilitating normal stability and motions of the spine. Such systems and methods can be used to treat spinal conditions such as, but not limited to, spondylosis, vertebral fractures, and the like.