Interspinous Implants Limit Extension to Relieve Spinal Stenosis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical procedures for spinal stenosis, such as decompressive laminectomy, are invasive and carry risks of blood loss and complications, while existing implant methods may not adequately address the progressive nature of spinal stenosis or provide sufficient relief from nerve compression.
Innovation Solution
The development of medical devices and methods involving implants coupled to pedicles of vertebrae, which are configured to contact each other during spinal extension to limit extension and maintain flexibility during flexion, thereby off-loading pressure from spinous processes and potentially reducing the need for invasive procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If decompressive laminectomy is performed to relieve spinal stenosis, then pressure on the spinal cord is reduced, but the procedure results in blood loss and increased risk of complications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an interspinous process implant as an intermediary device that indirectly relieves pressure on the spinal cord by maintaining spinous process separation and limiting extension, rather than directly removing bone or tissue. This mediator approach reduces the harmful effects of invasive surgery while achieving the therapeutic goal of decompression.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant extracts or removes the pathological extension motion that causes spinal cord compression, allowing the spinous processes to maintain separation and thereby indirectly removing the source of nerve root irritation without requiring extensive surgical intervention.
2Volume of moving object
If decompressive laminectomy is performed to widen the spinal canal, then more space is created for the spinal cord, but the procedure requires general anesthesia and extended hospital stay
Solution Approach 1:
The implant is positioned preliminarily to maintain spinous process separation and limit extension before significant neurological damage occurs, preventing the need for more extensive later interventions and reducing overall treatment time and hospitalization requirements.
3Ease of operation
If existing implant methods are used between adjacent spinous processes, then extension is limited, but the progressive nature of spinal stenosis is not adequately addressed
Solution Approach 1:
The implant design incorporates dynamic characteristics that allow it to adapt to the progressive nature of spinal stenosis. The device maintains spinous process separation and limits extension dynamically, providing ongoing relief as the condition progresses rather than offering static, temporary relief.
Data Source
AI summary
Devices and methods for performing a procedure within a spine are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method includes coupling a first implant to a pedicle of a first vertebra of a spinal column such that at least a portion of the first implant is disposed between a first spinous process and a second spinous process of the spinal column. A second implant is coupled to a pedicle of a second vertebra of the spinal column. At least a portion of an outer surface of the first implant is configured to contact at least a portion of an outer surface of the second implant when the spinal column is in extension. The outer surface of the first implant and the outer surface of the second implant being at a spaced distance from each other when the spinal column is in flexion.