Interspinous Implant with Resilient S-Shape and Modular Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing interspinous implants fail to effectively stabilize the spine and limit overextension, leading to instability and wear and tear on adjacent vertebrae due to inadequate distribution of spinal loads and lack of proper fixation mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
The development of an interspinous implant with a resilient S-shaped body and U-shaped or saddle-shaped extensions that engage spinous processes, providing adjustable configurations to distribute loads and prevent overextension, featuring modular connections and anti-slip formations for secure fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing interspinous implants are used, then the spine can be stabilized to some extent, but they fail to effectively limit overextension and distribute spinal loads, leading to instability and wear and tear on adjacent vertebrae
Solution Approach 1:
The implant is divided into multiple functional segments: a resilient body portion that distributes loads, and separate engagement portions that interface with spinous processes. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally - the body absorbs and distributes mechanical stresses while the engagement portions provide secure fixation, thereby stabilizing the spine without transmitting excessive forces to adjacent vertebrae
Solution Approach 2:
The implant utilizes changes in material properties and geometric parameters to resolve the contradiction. The resilient body is designed with specific elastic moduli and damping characteristics that allow it to absorb impact forces and distribute loads evenly. The engagement portions are designed with friction coefficients and geometric features that optimize grip on spinous processes, enabling effective load distribution while preventing overextension and reducing wear on adjacent vertebrae
2Reliability
If existing interspinous implants are used, then some spinal support is provided, but they lack proper fixation mechanisms, resulting in inadequate prevention of overextension
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement portions are designed to automatically engage with the spinous processes through friction-based fixation and geometric interlocking. The resilient body self-adjusts to distribute loads evenly across the implant structure. This self-service mechanism provides effective fixation and overextension prevention without requiring complex external fixation systems, achieving reliable spinal support while maintaining reasonable device simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement portions incorporate curved and contoured surfaces that match the natural geometry of spinous processes. This curvature design creates effective mechanical interlocking and increases frictional contact area, enhancing fixation strength without requiring additional complex components. The curved geometry of the resilient body also optimizes stress distribution, providing reliable overextension prevention through form-fitting engagement
3Reliability
If existing interspinous implants are used, then the spine can be supported, but they do not distribute spinal loads evenly, causing instability and fatigue failure
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient body is designed with optimized material parameters including elastic modulus, Poisson's ratio, and damping coefficients that enable even load distribution across the implant structure. The geometric parameters such as cross-sectional area distribution and curvature radii are carefully selected to minimize stress concentrations. These parameter optimizations ensure stable spinal support while reducing fatigue loads, thereby extending the implant's service life
Solution Approach 2:
The implant incorporates dynamic characteristics through the resilient body that allows it to adapt to varying spinal loads and motion patterns. The material and structural design enable the implant to flex and deform elastically under load, distributing stresses dynamically across its structure rather than creating fixed stress points. This dynamic response maintains spinal stability under various conditions while minimizing fatigue accumulation, extending the implant's operational duration
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 implant effectively stabilizes the spine, reduces load on individual components, and promotes bone fusion by distributing spinal loads evenly, while allowing for normal motion and minimizing fatigue failure, thus addressing the instability and wear issues associated with existing implants.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient S-shaped body having a longitudinal anterior-posterior axis and first and second ends
Implementation Method 2
The first and second extensions can be oriented at an angle relative to the anterior-posterior axis and engageable to first and second spinous processes
Data Source
AI summary
An interspinous implant is provided. The interspinous implant can include a first member having a first end and a second end. At least one of the first end and the second end can include a mating portion. The interspinous implant can also include a second member, which can have a first end, a second end and at least one receiving portion formed adjacent to at least one of the first end and the second end. The at least one receiving portion can receive the mating portion to couple the first member to the second member at a desired orientation. The interspinous implant can also include a first extension, which can be substantially opposite the mating portion, and adapted to engage a spinous process. The interspinous implant can comprise a second extension, which can be substantially opposite the at least one receiving portion, and adapted to engage a second process.