Flexible Core Spinal Stabilization Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal disc prosthetics are inflexible and large, leading to loss of natural motion and increased stress on adjacent discs after fusion surgery, and existing solutions fail to mimic the natural kinematic signature of the spinal disc.
Innovation Solution
A flexible core with an inflection region and support components that allow for six degrees of motion, including translation, rotation, and axial bending, while being secured with a tether to limit excessive movement, mimicking the natural kinematic signature of the spinal disc.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If vertebral fusion is performed to stabilize the spine, then pain is alleviated and stability is improved, but all discal motion is lost and adjacent discs experience increased stress
Solution Approach 1:
The implant incorporates a flexible core that enables dynamic motion capabilities including flexion, extension, rotation, and axial loading, allowing the spinal segment to move naturally while maintaining stability. This dynamic design preserves discal motion rather than eliminating it, resolving the contradiction between stability and motion preservation.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant changes the mechanical parameters of the spinal segment by providing a flexible core with specific elasticity and deformation characteristics. This allows the segment to undergo controlled deformation during motion while maintaining overall stability, thus preserving motion without compromising stability.
2Strength
If large and rigid prosthetic discs are used to replace the intervertebral disc space, then structural support is provided, but natural kinematic movement is lost and adjacent discs experience increased stress
Solution Approach 1:
The implant uses a flexible core that can deform and bend to accommodate natural spinal motion, replacing the rigid prosthetic discs. This flexible core maintains structural support while enabling flexion, extension, rotation, and axial loading, thus preserving natural kinematic movement without increasing stress on adjacent discs.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible core provides dynamic response to various loading conditions and motion types, allowing the implant to adapt to natural spinal kinematics. This dynamic capability enables the implant to maintain strength and support while preserving natural movement patterns.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the nucleus tissue is removed or herniated, then the disc space narrows and stability is lost, but surgical fusion eliminates all motion and increases stress on adjacent discs
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible core enables the disc to dynamically respond to physiological loads and maintain motion capabilities after nucleus removal or herniation. This dynamic design allows the disc to stabilize while preserving motion, eliminating the need for fusion and its associated loss of motion and increased adjacent disc stress.
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 natural kinematic movement while stabilizing the joint, reducing stress on adjacent discs and maintaining therapeutic motion, thereby alleviating pain and preventing premature degeneration.
Implementation Method 1
A flexible core is provided with an inflection region of greater flexibility, which enables a displacement or changed orientation of opposed engaging surfaces of the core. In one embodiment, the core tapers at one end to form the inflection region, and which may deform or buckle to enable a relative angular displacement of engaging surfaces.
Implementation Method 2
In addition, the core may compress to reduce a distance between portions of first and second engaging surfaces. Compression may include an expansion of material outwards relative to an interior of the core, or material of the core may collapse into an interior.
Data Source
AI summary
An implant stabilizes two adjacent bones of a joint, while enabling a natural kinematic relative movement of the bones. Support components are connected to each bone of the joint, and a flexible core is interposed between them. The core and at least one of the support components are provided with a smooth sliding surface upon which the core and support component may slide relative to each other, enabling a corresponding movement of the bones. The surfaces may have a mating curvature, to mimic a natural movement of the joint. The core is resilient, and may bend or compress, enabling the bones to move towards each other, and or to bend relative to each other.