Facet Joint Augmentation via Hydrogel Injection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Degenerated facet joints in the spine cause pain due to wear and inflammatory reactions, leading to invasive and nonreversible fusion surgeries, necessitating a non-invasive or minimally invasive pain alleviation method.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of hydrogels or similar materials for facet joint augmentation, where a drilling instrument creates an access path through the lamina and superior facet articulation surface, allowing injection of augmentation filler into the facet joint gap, followed by sealing with a bone plug to maintain pressure and prevent leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If fusion surgery is performed to alleviate facet joint pain, then pain is relieved, but the procedure becomes invasive and nonreversible
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the harmful effect (pain) by removing the source of inflammation and bone-on-bone contact through minimally invasive access, while taking out only a small portion of the joint capsule rather than performing complete fusion. The drilling instrument creates a small access path through the lamina and facet articulation surface to deliver filler material directly to the joint gap, preserving the rest of the joint structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state of the augmentation filler from solid to liquid for injection, then it polymerizes to a solid state within the joint gap. This parameter change allows minimally invasive delivery while maintaining structural support. The hydrogel filler transitions from a injectable liquid state to a gel/solid state that provides mechanical support and reduces pain.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If fusion surgery is performed to alleviate facet joint pain, then pain is relieved, but the procedure becomes nonreversible
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts only the necessary filler material through a small access path created by the drilling instrument, leaving the majority of the joint capsule and surrounding structures intact. This partial extraction approach allows for potential reversal or adjustment if needed, unlike complete fusion surgery.
Solution Approach 2:
The polymerization process of the hydrogel filler changes from liquid to solid state within the joint gap, providing stable pain relief without requiring permanent fusion. The chemical parameter change (polymerization) creates a stable structure that maintains joint function while alleviating pain, and this process is controllable and localized.
3Ease of operation
If augmentation filler is injected into the facet joint gap, then lubrication is restored and mobility is maintained, but the access path must be sealed to prevent leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing member acts as an intermediary element that closes the access path created by the drilling instrument. It is inserted through the same access path to seal the tract, preventing leakage of the augmentation filler while maintaining the minimally invasive approach. The sealing member bridges the gap between the external access path and the internal joint space.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing member is positioned locally at the access path termination point within the facet joint gap, providing sealing only where needed rather than requiring sealing of the entire joint. This localized sealing approach maintains the minimally invasive nature of the procedure while preventing filler leakage through the specific access tract created by the drilling instrument.
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 minimally invasive approach alleviates pain by restoring lubrication and reducing inflammatory responses, allowing for fluid exchange and maintaining mobility, while avoiding the need for invasive surgery and promoting quick recovery.
Implementation Method 1
restoring lubrication and reducing inflammatory responses
Implementation Method 2
the sealing member maintains pressure on the augmentation filler
Data Source
AI summary
A method for augmenting a facet joint. The method includes exposing the posterior aspects of a spinal motion segment in a first incision, preparing an access path through a separate postero-lateral percutaneous incision using a drilling instrument that traverses through at least a portion of the lamina and an inferior facet articulation surface, and terminates within the facet joint gap, and injecting augmentation filler into the facet joint gap.