Modular Spinal Disc Prosthesis with Removable Scaffold
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal disc replacement technologies, such as spinal arthrodesis, fail to effectively address progressive degeneration and restrict spinal motion, while artificial disc replacements lack the ability to be easily revised, updated, or replaced postoperatively, and do not provide adequate shock absorption and flexibility.
Innovation Solution
An artificial disc prosthesis system with a scaffold assembly that allows for the removability and adjustability of stabilizing elements, enabling the replacement or modification of disc prostheses without removing the entire system, and provides a modular design that simulates natural spinal motion and shock absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If spinal arthrodesis (fusion) is performed to treat degenerative disc disease, then short-term pain relief is achieved, but long-term progressive degeneration is not addressed and adjacent motion segments undergo premature degeneration
Solution Approach 1:
The spinal column is divided into discrete motion segments (vertebrae and discs) that can be independently treated. The prosthesis replaces only the degenerated disc while preserving adjacent motion segments, allowing targeted treatment without fusing the entire spine and thereby preventing adjacent segment degeneration.
Solution Approach 2:
The prosthesis changes the mechanical parameters of the spinal motion segment by providing a articulating surface that maintains motion while reducing pain. The modular design allows adjustment of prosthesis parameters to match patient-specific biomechanical requirements, achieving long-term relief without compromising adjacent segments.
2Stability of the object's composition
If spinal arthrodesis is performed to provide stable fixation, then immediate stability is achieved, but range of motion is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The prosthesis maintains segmentation of the spinal column by replacing the disc with a modular prosthesis that preserves individual vertebrae and their motion capabilities. This allows stable fixation at the treated level while maintaining normal range of motion at adjacent levels, unlike fusion which restricts motion throughout the spine.
Solution Approach 2:
The prosthesis incorporates dynamic articulating surfaces that allow motion between vertebrae while providing stability. The modular design enables adjustment of motion characteristics to balance stability and range of motion requirements, maintaining spinal dynamics rather than imposing rigid fusion.
3Reliability
If a traditional artificial disc replacement is performed to restore normal disc height and motion, then pain is alleviated, but the prosthesis cannot be easily revised or updated postoperatively
Solution Approach 1:
The artificial disc prosthesis is divided into modular components (articulating surfaces, central core, fixation elements) that can be independently accessed and replaced. This segmentation allows postoperative revision of specific components without removing the entire prosthesis, enabling updates or repairs while maintaining pain relief benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The prosthesis incorporates adjustable and reconfigurable elements that allow modification of motion characteristics and stability parameters after implantation. The modular design with accessible components enables dynamic adjustment of prosthesis properties to address changing patient needs while maintaining the original pain relief function.
4Length of moving object
If a disc spacer device is used to restore normal disc height, then disc height is restored, but structural integrity and proper seal are not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The prosthesis uses composite materials combining rigid articulating surfaces with flexible sealing elements and shock-absorbing core structures. This composite construction achieves both disc height restoration and structural integrity, with the flexible components providing proper sealing while rigid components maintain load-bearing capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The prosthesis adjusts structural parameters including wall thickness, core density, and sealing component properties to achieve both disc height restoration and structural integrity. The modular design allows optimization of these parameters to simultaneously satisfy height requirements and structural/sealing performance.
5Duration of action of stationary object
If an artificial disc prosthesis is designed to last 40+ years to match patient age, then long-term durability is required, but the fast pace of synthetic disc improvements creates difficulty in maintaining optimal design
Solution Approach 1:
The prosthesis is designed as a modular system with standardized interfaces and interchangeable components. This segmentation enables long-term durability through the permanent implantation of stable components while allowing easy replacement of updated components as synthetic disc technology advances, maintaining adaptability over 40+ years.
Solution Approach 2:
The prosthesis incorporates universal design principles with standardized modular components that can serve multiple functions and generations of technology. The scalable modular architecture allows the same basic prosthesis structure to accommodate various material compositions and design improvements while maintaining long-term durability and adaptability to technological advances.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an artificial disc prosthesis system which includes a scaffold assembly and a fusion or disc prosthesis removably retained by the scaffold assembly. The artificial disc prosthesis system facilitates the removal, replacement or upgrade of disc prostheses without the need to remove the entire system from the intervertebral space in which it is disposed. Also provided are disc prostheses suitable for use in the artificial disc prosthesis system.