Facet Joint Devices for Spinal Motion Preservation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal fusion procedures often require additional surgeries due to degeneration of facet joints, leading to unnatural loading of intervertebral discs and potential nerve compression, which can cause further pain and mobility issues.
Innovation Solution
The development of implantable facet joint devices with cephalad and caudal facet joint elements, featuring artificial bearing members and connectors for fixation, designed to restore spinal facet joint function and maintain or restore motion across the spinal motion segment, reducing the need for future interventions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If spinal fusion procedures are performed to stabilize the spine, then spinal stability is improved, but facet joint degeneration occurs leading to unnatural loading of intervertebral discs and potential nerve compression
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the spinal stabilization function into separate components: motion preserving elements that allow controlled movement at the disc level, and stabilization elements that prevent excessive motion at the facet joints. This segmentation allows the spine to maintain stability while preserving natural loading patterns and preventing facet joint degeneration.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces dynamic motion preserving elements that adapt to physiological spinal movements. These elements allow controlled motion within normal ranges while restricting abnormal movements, thereby maintaining natural biomechanics and preventing the unnatural loading that occurs with rigid fusion procedures.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If rigid spinal fusion is used to prevent movement and reduce pain, then pain relief is achieved, but mobility is lost and additional surgeries are required due to device failure or degeneration
Solution Approach 1:
The motion preserving elements incorporate dynamic characteristics that allow physiological movement while providing pain relief. The elements adapt to patient-specific motion patterns and provide stabilization only when needed, maintaining mobility while reducing pain from facet joint pathology.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the mechanical parameters of spinal stabilization by introducing elements with controlled flexibility and motion limits. These elements allow normal physiological movements while restricting pathological motions, thereby providing pain relief without sacrificing mobility or requiring additional surgeries.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If facet joints are removed or fused to treat degeneration, then facet joint pain is reduced, but intervertebral disc loading becomes unnatural leading to further degeneration
Solution Approach 1:
The invention separates the treatment of facet joints from intervertebral disc preservation by using motion preserving elements that independently control loading at each level. This segmentation allows facet joint stabilization while maintaining natural disc loading patterns, preventing secondary disc degeneration.
Solution Approach 2:
The motion preserving elements act as intermediaries between the facet joints and intervertebral discs. These elements transmit and distribute loads in a physiological manner, preventing the unnatural loading that would otherwise occur and lead to disc degeneration.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure discloses methods, devices, systems and kits for repairing, replacing and/or augmenting natural facet joint surfaces and/or facet capsules. An implantable facet joint device of one embodiment comprises a cephalad facet joint element and a caudal facet joint element. The cephalad facet joint element includes a member adapted to engage a first vertebra, and an artificial cephalad bearing member. The caudal facet joint element includes a connector adapted for fixation to a second vertebra at a fixation point and an artificial caudal bearing member adapted to engage the cephalad bearing member. The artificial caudal bearing member is adapted for a location lateral to the fixation point. In another embodiment, an implantable facet joint device comprises a cephalad crossbar adapted to extend mediolaterally relative to a spine of a patient, the crossbar having opposite first and second ends, a connector element adapted to connect the crossbar to a first vertebra, a first artificial cephalad bearing member adapted for connection to the first end of the crossbar and adapted to engage a first caudal facet joint element connected to a second vertebra, and a second artificial cephalad bearing member adapted for connection to the second end of the crossbar and adapted to engage a second caudal facet joint element connected to the second vertebra.