Facet Joint Implant System for Spinal Mobility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional treatments for spinal facet joint pathologies, such as spinal stabilization and fusion, often result in limited mobility and do not effectively restore proper spinal alignment, leading to a need for a system and method that improves mobility and reduces the need for spinal fusion in cases involving only facet joints.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising superior and inferior facet implants with articulating and fixation surfaces, along with a translaminar fixation mechanism, is used to create a space between articular facets and prepare the surfaces for implant placement, allowing for articulation and secure fixation, thereby addressing the limitations of existing treatments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If spinal stabilization or fusion is applied to treat facet joint pathology, then pain is reduced and stability is improved, but mobility is permanently limited and spinal alignment is not restored
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment divides the spinal stabilization into segmental facet joint replacements rather than whole-spine fusion. Each facet joint is independently addressed with its own implant, allowing localized stabilization without global mobility restriction. This segmentation enables pain reduction and stability at the affected level while preserving motion at other levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The facet joint implant incorporates articulating surfaces that enable dynamic motion between vertebral bodies. The prosthesis includes movable components that allow the spine to adapt to physiological stresses and maintain flexibility, contrasting with static fusion procedures. This dynamic design provides stability through controlled articulation rather than rigid fixation.
2Reliability
If spinal fusion is performed to stabilize vertebrae, then relative motion between vertebrae is prevented and pain is reduced, but the spine does not return to proper alignment and mobility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The implant applies local quality by providing stabilization only at the affected facet joint level rather than throughout the entire spine. The prosthesis is designed to address specific degenerative changes in the facet joint while leaving adjacent vertebrae and spinal structures unaffected, allowing natural alignment to be restored locally without global surgical intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of fusing vertebrae to achieve stability (conventional approach), the invention inverts the logic by replacing the facet joint articulation to achieve stability. This inversion allows the spine to maintain its natural articulated structure and alignment capabilities while eliminating the harmful effects of degeneration, rather than sacrificing motion for stability through fusion.
3Reliability
If conventional facet joint treatments are used, then degeneration is addressed, but the need for spinal fusion remains and mobility is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment extracts the degenerated facet joint articulation and replaces it with a prosthesis. By removing the damaged articular surfaces and inserting a functional replacement, the procedure eliminates the need for more invasive spinal fusion while restoring the articulating function. This extraction approach targets only the problematic structure rather than requiring extensive surgical intervention.
Data Source
AI summary
Prostheses and methods for treating spinal pathologies and more specifically, for treating articulating surfaces of facet joints. The system includes a superior implant that is configured for placement on a superior articulating facet surface and an inferior implant that is configured for placement on an inferior articulating facet surface. The method includes creating a space between a superior and an inferior articular facet, such as by using a rasp, and fixing superior and inferior implants to the superior and inferior articular facets.