Multi-Composite Disc Prosthesis for Spinal Mobility

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current nucleus replacement technologies face challenges such as invasive surgical procedures, instability due to large surgical exposures, potential for nerve or vascular damage from rigid materials, and inadequate mimicry of natural disc mechanics, leading to pain and mobility issues in patients with degenerative disc disease.

Innovation Solution

A multi-composite disc prosthesis with a softer outer biomaterial and a harder inner biomaterial, chemically bonded to form a solid body, designed for minimally invasive implantation, providing cushioning and structural support while mimicking natural disc mechanics, and allowing for sequential insertion and interlocking components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a rigid nucleus replacement prosthesis is used, then structural support is improved, but the risk of nerve or vascular damage increases and natural disc mechanics are not mimicked

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural supportVSAvoidrisk of nerve or vascular damage

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The prosthesis employs a multi-composite structure with different material properties in different regions: a softer outer biomaterial (first composite material) that contacts the annulus fibrosis provides cushioning and mimics natural disc mechanics, while a harder inner biomaterial (second composite material) provides structural support. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction by providing both support and safety without compromising either function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite materials consisting of multiple biomaterials with different mechanical properties bonded together to form a unified prosthesis. The first composite material (softer outer layer) and second composite material (harder inner layer) work together to provide both the structural support needed to replace the nucleus and the mechanical compliance needed to avoid damaging surrounding nerves and vessels, thus resolving the technical contradiction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If a multi-composite disc prosthesis with softer outer biomaterial and harder inner biomaterial is used, then natural disc mechanics are mimicked and structural support is provided, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemimicry of natural disc mechanicsVSAvoidmulti-composite structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges multiple composite materials with different properties into a single integrated prosthesis unit. The first composite material and second composite material are bonded together to form a unified structure that functions as one device, reducing the practical complexity despite the multi-material composition. This merging approach maintains reliability by mimicking natural disc mechanics while managing device complexity through integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If traditional nucleus replacement is performed, then pain relief is achieved, but surgical exposure is large and stability is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepain reliefVSAvoidsurgical exposure and stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The prosthesis is designed as a segmented structure with distinct functional zones: an outer portion made of first composite material that interfaces with the annulus fibrosis and an inner portion made of second composite material that provides core support. This segmentation allows the device to be implanted through minimally invasive techniques while maintaining surgical site stability, as each segment serves its specific function and the modular design facilitates precise placement without requiring large surgical exposure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

The solution offers pain relief by retensioning the annulus, restoring normal pressure distribution, and maintaining spinal mobility, reducing the risk of nerve or vascular damage and long-term wear issues, while being implanted through a smaller surgical exposure.

Implementation Method 1

The first and second biomaterials may be bonded together to form a multi-composite material that forms the solid body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical bonding: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS8038718B2Multi-composite disc prosthesis

Publication Date: 2011.10.18 NEXT ORTHOSURGICAL INC

AI summary

A multi-composite disc prosthesis is adapted to be implanted within the annulus of an evacuated disc nucleus space in a human spine. The disc prosthesis has a generally solid unitary body with a size and a shape adapted to be positioned within the annulus of the evacuated disc nucleus space. The body has an outer portion comprised of a first biomaterial and an inner portion comprised of a second biomaterial. The second biomaterial has a compressive modulus that is harder than a compressive modulus of the first biomaterial and the first and second biomaterials are chemically or physically bonded to form a multi-composite material that forms the solid body.