Low-Profile Intervertebral Disc With Domed Endplates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current artificial intervertebral discs do not provide a low profile that mimics natural anatomy, especially for patients with smaller disc heights, and often have flat vertebral body contacting surfaces that result in less than ideal bone-to-implant contact.
Innovation Solution
The design of an intervertebral disc with superior and inferior endplates featuring domed central portions and concave surfaces, along with a core that mates with these surfaces, allowing for a reduced height and more anatomically shaped vertebral body contact, facilitating natural motion and improved fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If conventional artificial discs with flat vertebral body contacting surfaces are used, then the disc structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the bone-to-implant contact is less than ideal and the disc height is higher than desired
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by providing domed central portions on both the superior and inferior vertebral body contacting surfaces of the endplates. This spherical/curved geometry mimics natural vertebral body anatomy, improves bone-to-implant contact distribution, and reduces stress concentrations compared to flat surfaces, directly resolving the shape inadequacy of conventional discs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by creating concave bearing surfaces at specific locations on the endplates that correspond to the domed central portions. This localized geometric modification concentrates the load-bearing area in the central region while maintaining peripheral stability, optimizing both contact quality and structural function without requiring complete redesign of the entire endplate geometry.
2Length of stationary object
If conventional artificial discs are used, then the disc provides adequate support, but the disc height is higher than desired resulting in unnaturally over distracted condition
Solution Approach 1:
The domed central portions on the vertebral body contacting surfaces allow the disc to achieve adequate bone contact and load distribution with reduced overall height. The curved geometry concentrates contact forces in the central region, enabling shorter disc height without compromising support reliability or creating unnaturally over distracted conditions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional artificial discs with flat surfaces are used, then the implantation procedure is straightforward, but the disc does not match the natural anatomy of vertebral bodies
Solution Approach 1:
The domed central portions and concave bearing surfaces collectively replicate the natural curved anatomy of vertebral bodies, significantly improving anatomical matching. The standardized geometric features can be manufactured with conventional techniques and implanted using standard procedures, maintaining ease of operation while achieving superior anatomical compatibility.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3A~3E
AI summary
An intervertebral disc includes a superior endplate having an upper vertebral contacting surface and a lower bearing surface, wherein the upper vertebral contacting surface of the superior endplate has a central portion that is raised relative to a peripheral portion of the superior endplate, and wherein the lower bearing surface has a concavity disposed opposite the raised central portion. The disc includes an inferior endplate having a lower vertebral contacting surface and an upper surface, wherein the lower vertebral contacting surface of the inferior endplate has a central portion and wherein the upper bearing surface has a concavity dis -posed opposite the central portion. A core is positioned between the upper and inferior endplates, the core having upper and lower core bearing surfaces configured to mate with the bearing surfaces of the upper and inferior endplates. The upper vertebral contacting surface of the superior endplate has a different shape than the lower vertebral contacting surface of the inferior endplate.