Interspinous Process Implant with Distraction Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for spine implants that alleviate pain caused by spinal stenosis and other spinal conditions by increasing the space between vertebrae to reduce pressure on nerves and blood vessels, while minimizing invasive surgical methods and accommodating anatomical structures, and addressing adverse conditions exacerbated by spinal extension and flexion.
Innovation Solution
The development of an implant comprising a first wing, a spacer, and a distraction guide that pierces and distracts tissue between spinous processes, with a second wing that limits movement along a longitudinal axis, allowing for minimally invasive surgical placement and accommodation of distinct spinal anatomies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If traditional invasive surgical methods are used to increase space between vertebrae, then foraminal area and nerve space are improved, but surgical trauma and invasiveness worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The implant is divided into multiple functional segments: a distraction guide portion for tissue separation, a spacer portion for maintaining foraminal area, and wing portions for anchoring. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function minimally invasively while collectively achieving the goal of increasing space between vertebrae without extensive surgical trauma
Solution Approach 2:
The distraction guide acts as an intermediary tool that pierces and separates soft tissue between spinous processes, creating a pathway for the implant without requiring extensive surgical exposure. The guide portion mediates between the external surgical approach and the internal implant placement, reducing direct trauma to the spinal structures
2Area of stationary object
If a distraction guide is used to pierce and distract tissue, then tissue separation and foraminal area are improved, but tissue trauma during insertion worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The distraction guide portion performs preliminary tissue separation and creation of the implant pathway before the main implant body is inserted. By pre-separating the soft tissue between spinous processes, the guide reduces the force and trauma required during subsequent implant placement, as the tissue pathway is already prepared
Solution Approach 2:
The implant includes a distractible feature that allows it to expand or adjust its dimensions after initial insertion. The distraction guide can be inserted in a collapsed or compact state to minimize insertion trauma, then expanded or distracted in situ to achieve the full foraminal area enhancement without requiring high insertion forces
3Stability of the object's composition
If wings are added to limit implant movement, then implant stability is improved, but device complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The wing portions are designed with asymmetric geometries that match the asymmetric anatomy of the spinous processes and interspinous space. This asymmetric design allows the wings to engage with the bony structures in a stable manner while maintaining a relatively simple overall implant structure, as the asymmetry is optimized for specific anatomical engagement rather than being a complex multi-component feature
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention can includes an implant comprising a first wing, a spacer extending from the first wing, and a distraction guide. The distraction guide is arranged in a first configuration to pierce and/or distract tissue associated with adjacent spinous processes extending from vertebrae of a targeted motion segment. The implant can be positioned between the adjacent spinous processes and once positioned, the implant can be arranged in a second configuration. When arranged in a second configuration, the distraction guide can act as a second wing. The first wing and the second wing can limit or block movement of the implant along a longitudinal axis of the implant.