Intervertebral Prosthetic Device with Articulating Ball-and-Socket Joints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spinal surgery devices fail to adequately preserve motion between vertebrae after disc removal, leading to inadequate biomechanical motion and fixation to adjacent bone structures.
Innovation Solution
Development of intervertebral articulating prosthetic devices with upper and lower components and a central articulating portion, featuring ball-and-socket joints and keel structures for engagement with vertebral endplates, allowing pivotal, rotational, and translational movement, and incorporating bone-growth promoting surfaces for fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional spinal fusion devices are used to stabilize vertebrae, then fixation strength is improved, but motion between vertebrae is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The prosthetic device incorporates an articulating mechanism with spherical and complementary spherical surfaces that enable dynamic motion between vertebrae while maintaining stabilization. The device transitions from a static fusion approach to a dynamic motion-preserving approach, allowing physiological movement through controlled articulation between the prosthetic components.
Solution Approach 2:
The prosthetic device is divided into distinct functional segments: an upper prosthetic portion, a lower prosthetic portion, and an articulating mechanism connecting them. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the end plates provide fixation to vertebrae while the articulating mechanism enables motion, resolving the contradiction between stabilization and movement.
2Ease of operation
If motion-preserving prosthetics are designed with complex articulating mechanisms, then biomechanical motion is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The articulating mechanism utilizes spherical surfaces and complementary spherical contours to enable multi-directional motion. This geometric approach simplifies the articulation design compared to complex mechanical joints, as spherical geometry naturally accommodates rotational and pivotal movements in multiple directions while maintaining consistent contact and load distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The articulating mechanism is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it enables pivotal motion, rotational motion, and translational motion between vertebrae, while also providing load bearing and motion guidance. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each function, thereby simplifying the overall device structure.
3Reliability
If keel structures are extended into vertebral cavities for secure fixation, then fixation reliability is improved, but surgical preparation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical method involves preliminary preparation of cavities in the vertebral bodies before insertion of the prosthetic device. The cavities are shaped and positioned in advance to receive the keel structures, ensuring proper alignment and secure fixation. This preliminary action simplifies the insertion process and enhances reliability by pre-establishing the engagement geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The keel structures are designed to be inserted into pre-formed cavities within the vertebral bodies, creating a nested configuration where the prosthetic keels are housed within the bone cavities. This nesting approach provides secure fixation while maintaining a relatively simple surgical procedure, as the cavities are prepared to match the keel geometry.
Data Source
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AI summary
Spinal prosthetic devices having various engagement structures are disclosed. In one aspect a spinal prosthesis system comprises a first component with a first engagement structure extending from a surface of the first component at an oblique angle and a second component with a second engagement structure extending from a surface of the component at an oblique angle. In another aspect, a pair of flange members extend from the first engagement surface at an oblique angle such that the flange members are substantially perpendicular to one another. In another aspect, a first flange member extends transversely from the first engagement surface at a first oblique angle to the longitudinal axis of the surface and a second flange member extends transversely from the first engagement surface at a second oblique angle to the longitudinal axis such that the flange members are non-parallel.