Laminar Hook Spring Spinal Augmentation Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal fusion and dynamic surgical solutions for addressing spinal disc damage or degeneration often require major surgery, reduce mobility, and pose risks due to weak structural attachment points, necessitating improved minimally invasive systems for spinal augmentation.
Innovation Solution
The development of a spinal augmentation device with a connector element and seating members that support adjacent vertebrae, allowing for adjustable stiffness and distraction, and can be implanted without penetrating bone tissue, featuring a locking mechanism and spring member for customizable flexibility and positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If spinal fusion hardware is used to join vertebral bodies, then spinal stability is improved, but mobility is reduced and surgery complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic spacer device that can adapt to spinal movements rather than rigidly fixing vertebrae together. The spacer includes a body with superior and inferior surfaces that contact adjacent vertebral bodies, allowing controlled movement while maintaining stability. This dynamic design enables the spine to move naturally during activity while still providing structural support and pain relief.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer device divides the spinal support function into separate components: a superior surface for contacting the upper vertebra, an inferior surface for contacting the lower vertebra, and intermediate structures for distribution. This segmentation allows each surface to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall spinal stability without rigid fusion.
2Ease of manufacture
If spinous process spacers are implanted to augment vertebrae, then tissue destruction is minimized, but the spinous process is prone to breakage under excess load
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer device distributes mechanical loads across multiple local contact points: the superior surface contacts the superior vertebral body, the inferior surface contacts the inferior vertebral body, and intermediate structures provide additional support. This local quality distribution prevents excessive load concentration on the spinous process while maintaining minimal tissue destruction during implantation.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer may utilize composite material structures combining rigid and flexible elements to provide both structural strength and load distribution. This allows the device to support the spinous process without requiring major surgical destruction of surrounding tissues.
3Stability of the object's composition
If rigid fusion devices are used to join vertebrae, then spinal stability is improved, but mobility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer device is designed with dynamic characteristics that allow it to adapt to varying spinal loads and movements. The device includes resilient elements and flexible contact surfaces that can deform under load, providing stability during static conditions while allowing mobility during dynamic activity. This dynamic design contrasts with rigid fusion devices that maintain fixed stability regardless of movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer device can change its mechanical parameters based on loading conditions. The resilient elements and flexible surfaces allow the device to modify its stiffness and compliance levels, providing rigid support when needed and flexible movement when required. This parameter adaptability enables simultaneous achievement of stability and mobility.
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
Enables effective load reduction on spinal discs, facilitates healing, and maintains mobility by allowing controlled distraction and adjustment of the device's properties to suit individual anatomical needs, thereby addressing the limitations of existing surgical methods.
Implementation Method 1
The spring member can be adapted to selectively adjust the stiffness and distraction of the adjacent arms of the connector element
Data Source
AI summary
Various devices and methods are provided for spinal augmentation. In particular, the device can includes a connector element having a superior portion and an inferior portion that is adapted to support adjacent superior and inferior vertebrae and a first superior seating member and a second superior seating member associated with the connector element. The first seating member can be adapted to receive a portion of a lamina of the superior vertebra and the second seating member can be adapted to receive a portion of the lamina of the inferior vertebra. The device can have a variety of configurations, including the connector element and the first and second seating members being unitary and the first and second seating members being separately secured to the connector element.