Interspinous Implant With Overlapping Arms And Ball Joint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal implants for attachment to spinous processes are not ideal for all situations, particularly in cases of damage to intervertebral discs and vertebral members, leading to pain and loss of motion, necessitating alternative solutions.
Innovation Solution
A spinal implant design featuring pivotally connected arms with a ball joint and securing mechanism, allowing for adjustable positioning and secure attachment to spinous processes without severing the supraspinous ligament, facilitating insertion and stabilization between vertebral members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional spinal implants are used for attachment to spinous processes, then fixation can be achieved, but the implants may not be ideal for all situations and may cause damage to surrounding tissues
Solution Approach 1:
The implant is divided into two separate arms that are inserted independently through lateral approaches, allowing each arm to be positioned and secured separately. This segmentation enables precise placement on opposite sides of the spinous process without requiring a single large incision or extensive tissue dissection, thereby achieving reliable fixation while minimizing damage to surrounding tissues.
Solution Approach 2:
The first extension is inserted into the second arm through a channel that leads to a socket, creating a nested configuration where one component is housed within another. This nesting approach allows the arms to be connected securely while maintaining a compact profile and avoiding the need for external fixation hardware that would require additional tissue disruption.
2Stability of the object's composition
If spinal implants are designed for secure attachment, then stabilization is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ball joint connection between the first extension and second arm allows for dynamic adjustment and pivoting motion during insertion and positioning. This dynamic mechanism enables the arms to self-align and accommodate anatomical variations, achieving stable fixation without requiring complex pre-positioning mechanisms or multiple adjustment components.
Solution Approach 2:
The securing member engages with the ball joint connection to lock the arms in place, allowing the implant to self-secure once positioned. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external fixation devices, complex locking procedures, or additional components, thereby achieving stable attachment while maintaining device simplicity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the implant allows for adjustable positioning, then adaptability is improved, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The ball joint connection provides inherent adjustability by allowing pivoting motion during insertion, enabling the arms to self-align with the spinous process anatomy. This dynamic capability provides adaptability without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms or multiple insertion steps, thereby maintaining ease of operation while achieving versatile positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The channels and sockets are pre-configured with rounded shapes and appropriate dimensions to guide the ball joint connection and facilitate automatic alignment during insertion. This preliminary configuration ensures that the adjustable positioning capability is achieved automatically as the components are assembled, without requiring additional adjustment steps or complex operational procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
Spinal implants and methods of inserting the implants into an interspinous space and into engagement with spinous processes. The implants may include first and second arms that are separately inserted into the patient. The arms may be attached together within the patient in an overlapping arrangement and pivotally connected at a joint. The arms may be moved about the joint with first ends of each of the arms on a first side of the joint contacting against opposing lateral sides of a first spinous process and second ends of each of the arms on a second side of the joint contacting against opposing lateral sides of a second spinous process. A securing member may contact against the arms and secure the orientation of the arms.