Modular Intervertebral Disc Prosthesis with Selectable Center of Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current intervertebral disc prostheses lack the flexibility for surgeons to select the degree of constraint or freedom based on individual patient conditions, such as sagittal and coronal alignment, facet, and annulus conditions, limiting their ability to tailor the prosthesis to specific needs.
Innovation Solution
A modular intervertebral disc prosthesis system comprising multiple components that can be assembled to form either a disc replacement with a fixed or floating center of rotation, allowing for customizable degrees of freedom and constraint, using interchangeable endplate and central components with various mating techniques like snap-fit, interference fit, and post-and-bore connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed-center prosthesis is used, then the degree of freedom is limited and stable, but the adaptability to different patient conditions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The prosthesis is divided into modular components: endplate components and central components. The central component can be selected in different configurations (fixed-center or floating-center) to match patient-specific needs, allowing customization while maintaining overall structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows dynamic selection of the center of rotation characteristics based on patient condition. The central component design enables transition between fixed and floating center configurations, providing adaptability without sacrificing stability when a fixed center is selected.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a floating-center prosthesis is used, then the adaptability to patient conditions is improved, but the stability and control of vertebral positioning is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The prosthesis separates the center of rotation function into a selectable central component. Surgeons can choose a floating-center central component when adaptability is prioritized, while the endplate components maintain stable bone anchoring, thus preserving overall prosthetic stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows changing the parameter of center of rotation behavior (fixed vs. floating) by selecting different central components. This parameter change enables adaptability to various patient conditions while the endplate components maintain consistent stable anchoring in both configurations.
3Device complexity
If a single-type prosthesis is used, then the device complexity is low, but the versatility for different surgical scenarios is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The prosthesis is segmented into standardized endplate components and interchangeable central components. This segmentation allows multiple configurations to be achieved through simple component selection and assembly, adding versatility without significantly increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The endplate components are designed as universal interfaces that can work with different central component types. This universality allows a single endplate design to support both fixed-center and floating-center configurations, achieving versatility through multi-functionality rather than multiple specialized designs.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a modular multi-component system is used, then the versatility and adaptability are improved, but the device complexity and surgical procedure time are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The modular system segments the prosthesis into functional units (endplates and central components) that can be independently selected and assembled. This segmentation enables customizability through simple component selection rather than complex integrated designs, reducing the perceived complexity despite multiple components.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular components are designed to merge into a unified prosthetic structure through standardized interfaces. The endplate components and central components combine to form a complete prosthesis, achieving versatility through combination rather than requiring entirely separate custom-designed implants for each scenario.
Data Source
AI summary
A modular disc prosthesis system is provided that allows a disc prosthesis to be constructed, either pre- or intra-operatively, to have a desired degree of freedom or constraint when positioned between endplates of adjacent vertebrae. In particular, the components can be assembled to form a disc prosthesis having a center of rotation that is constrained or fixed such that, when the disc prosthesis is implanted between endplates of adjacent vertebrae, the adjacent vertebrae have one degree of freedom and move about a fixed center of rotation. Alternatively, one or more of the same components and one or more additional components of the system can be used to construct a disc prosthesis having a center of rotation that is unconstrained or that floats such that, when the disc prosthesis is implanted between the endplates of adjacent vertebrae, the adjacent vertebrae have multiple degrees of freedom and can move about a floating or moving center of rotation, i.e., a center of rotation that is not fixed.