Interspinous Device Segmentation for Vertebral Height Restoration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Degeneration of spinal discs and vertebral facets leads to reduced intervertebral space, causing nerve compression and back pain, which existing interspinous process devices fail to adequately address by providing insufficient stabilization and fusion.
Innovation Solution
An interspinous device comprising U-shaped clamps with anti-migration features and an elongated component, allowing for adjustable distraction and stabilization of vertebral bodies through bone fusion, enabling restoration of intervertebral height and maintaining decompression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If existing interspinous process devices are used to restore intervertebral height, then some space restoration is achieved, but insufficient stabilization and fusion support is provided
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into two separate clamps that attach to adjacent spinous processes, connected by an elongated component. This segmentation allows each clamp to independently secure to bone while the connecting component provides controlled distraction and fusion support, addressing the insufficiency of single-unit devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamps are designed with U-shaped configurations that conform to the natural curvature of spinous processes and lamina. This curved geometry enables better anatomical fit and more effective compression forces against the bone surface, improving stabilization compared to straight rigid structures.
2Stability of the object's composition
If clamps are designed to secure spinous process firmly, then stabilization is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex fusion and distraction functions are extracted from the clamps themselves and placed in the separate elongated component. The clamps are simplified to focus only on secure attachment to spinous processes, while the elongated component handles distraction maintenance and fusion support, reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The elongated component serves as an intermediary element between the two clamps, providing the distraction and fusion functions without requiring the clamps themselves to be overly complex. This mediator component simplifies the clamp design while maintaining all necessary functions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If fixed distraction height is used in the device, then manufacturing is simplified, but adaptability to different patient needs is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The device offers multiple interchangeable elongated component lengths that can be selected based on patient-specific requirements. This universal design approach allows the same clamp system to accommodate various distraction heights by simply changing the connecting component, maintaining manufacturing efficiency while providing customization.
Solution Approach 2:
The device transitions from a static fixed-height design to a dynamic system where the elongated component length can be selected and adjusted during surgery based on measured patient needs. This dynamic adaptability allows optimization of distraction height for each patient while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing of standard-length components.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention involves a device and method for restoring intervertebral height and promoting bone fusion to maintain the proper height. The present invention is an interspinous device comprised of two clamps and an elongated element for use in spinal surgery to separate adjacent vertebrae. Once deposited in the intervertebral space, the device effects spinal fusion over time as the natural healing process fuses the bone through and around the device.