Dual-Chamber Inflatable Spinal Disk Prosthesis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for treating intervertebral disc disorders involve total disc replacement and lack minimally invasive techniques for preserving healthy annular fibrosis, leading to inadequate structural support and articulation freedom, as well as insufficient resilience against physical shocks.
Innovation Solution
A minimally invasive surgical approach using an inflatable intervertebral disc prosthesis with dual chambers, sealed by a dual-valve mechanism, allowing for the injection of inert gas and curable silicone to provide structural support and maintain articulation freedom, while being resilient to external forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If total disc replacement is performed, then structural support is improved, but articulation freedom is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The prosthesis is divided into multiple chambers (first chamber filled with inert gas, second chamber filled with curable silicone) that can independently deform and adapt to physiological loads, allowing both structural support and articulation freedom to coexist
Solution Approach 2:
The prosthesis utilizes materials with different physical properties (gas for compressibility, curable silicone for structural integrity) to achieve both articulation freedom and structural support through parameter optimization
2Strength
If traditional open spinal surgery is performed, then structural support is improved, but damage to surrounding tissue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The compromised nucleus pulposus is extracted through a small percutaneous access point, while the healthy annular fibrosis is preserved and reinforced with the prosthesis, minimizing damage to surrounding tissue
Solution Approach 2:
The prosthesis is delivered through a nested delivery system consisting of multiple concentric components (outer sheath, inner catheter, inflation needle) that are sequentially inserted through a single small incision
3Reliability
If the prosthesis is made resilient against physical shocks, then shock absorption is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different chambers are designed with different material properties (gas for shock absorption, curable silicone for structural support) to provide localized functionality that collectively achieves resilience without requiring complex mechanisms throughout the entire device
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 minimally invasive implantation with minimal damage to surrounding tissue, preserving articulation freedom and providing sufficient structural support to withstand normal movement stresses, promoting faster recovery and long-term stability.
Implementation Method 1
The first chamber is filled with an inert gas or other suitable material to a pressure sufficient to provide the desired degree of structural support and articulation freedom
Implementation Method 2
The second chamber is filled with a curable silicone or other suitable material to a pressure sufficient to provide the desired degree of structural support and resilience against external forces
Data Source
AI summary
This specification describes technologies relating to an intervertebral disc prosthesis used to strengthen and stabilize the spine. Implementations of the technology described herein comprise a surgical device that is implanted through a small surgical incision into a portion of a human intervertebral disc, various support tools used to insert such a surgical device, and a method by which the device is used to strengthen and stabilize the spine.