Inter-spinous Spacer with Elastic Core for Spinal Load Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal stabilization methods often fail to effectively address the increased spinal instability and pressure on nerve roots caused by degenerative disc conditions, leading to discomfort and potential nerve damage, as they do not adequately maintain spacing between vertebrae and distribute loads efficiently.
Innovation Solution
The development of an inter-spinous process spacer with a compliant, elastic core and support structures that provide a kyphotic or lordotic angle, combined with pedicle-based stabilization members, to create a dynamic stabilization system that relieves pressure on discs and maintains vertebral spacing, allowing for relative motion while distributing spinal loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional spinal stabilization methods are used, then surgical simplicity is maintained, but spinal instability and nerve root pressure are not effectively addressed
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilization system is divided into distinct functional components: an inter-spinous spacer for maintaining vertebral spacing and reducing nerve root pressure, and pedicle-based members for providing structural support. This segmentation allows each component to address specific aspects of spinal instability independently, improving overall reliability without requiring a single complex device.
Solution Approach 2:
The inter-spinous spacer acts as an intermediary element between the spinous processes, maintaining optimal spacing and indirectly reducing pressure on nerve roots. This mediator component works in conjunction with the pedicle-based stabilization members to achieve comprehensive stabilization without direct interference with the neural structures.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If vertebral spacing is not adequately maintained, then device simplicity is preserved, but nerve root pressure increases causing discomfort and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The inter-spinous spacer is designed with specific local properties including compliant material composition and geometric features tailored to maintain spacing at the inter-spinous level. This localized approach addresses nerve root pressure specifically at the region where it occurs, without requiring complex system-wide modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer incorporates composite material structures combining compliant and rigid elements to achieve both spacing maintenance and load distribution functions. This composite construction allows the device to adapt to local mechanical conditions while providing sufficient structural support to prevent nerve root compression.
3Ease of operation
If dynamic stabilization with compliant core is implemented, then natural motion is preserved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer incorporates a compliant core that allows dynamic adaptation to spinal motion while maintaining overall structural integrity. This dynamic design enables the device to preserve natural spinal movement patterns without requiring rigid fixed-precision construction, as the compliant material absorbs manufacturing tolerances and adapts to physiological variations.
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 solution effectively stabilizes the spine, reduces pressure on nerve roots, and distributes spinal loads, thereby alleviating discomfort and preventing nerve damage by maintaining intervertebral spacing and allowing for natural motion, even in degenerative conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a compliant, elastic core
Implementation Method 2
distributing spinal loads
Implementation Method 3
distributing spinal loads
Data Source
AI summary
This specification describes spinal stabilization devices that may be introduced into the spine via surgical procedures. In particular, this specification describes an inter-spinous process spacer having a core chosen, in one variation, to provide a kyphotic or lordotic angle to the device. The specification also describes systems including the described devices and methods of introducing the devices and systems into the spine to provide effective stabilization.