Pedicle Screw Thermal Conduction for Nerve Modulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for chronic back pain, such as vertebral fusion and pharmacological therapies, are often costly, addictive, temporary, ineffective, or require long recovery times, and direct energy application to nerves can be invasive and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
The use of pre-existing implants like pedicle screws with conductive properties to deliver thermal energy for neuromodulation, allowing for controlled heating of nerves within the vertebral body without direct tissue contact, facilitating treatments like denervation or ablation with reduced invasiveness and additional incisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If direct energy application to nerves is used for neuromodulation, then nerve modulation effect is achieved, but invasiveness and surgical complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses pre-existing implants (pedicle screws, bone anchors, fastening devices) as intermediary conductive elements to deliver thermal energy to nerves. Instead of directly applying energy to nerves through invasive procedures, the implant serves as a mediator that conducts heat from an external source to the target nerve tissue through bone conduction, reducing surgical invasiveness while maintaining neuromodulation effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent leverages pre-existing implants that are already present in the patient's body from previous orthopedic procedures. These implants are repurposed to serve a dual function: their original mechanical support function plus a new function as thermal energy conduits for nerve modulation. This eliminates the need for additional invasive procedures to insert specialized energy delivery devices
2Ease of manufacture
If pre-existing implants are used as conductive devices for energy delivery, then additional incisions and pathways are avoided, but control precision over energy delivery may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs insulating elements that are selectively applied to specific portions of the implant, particularly the proximal portion, while leaving the distal portion exposed. This creates localized thermal conduction zones that direct heat flow to specific anatomical targets. The insulating coating is applied non-uniformly along the implant length, enabling spatial control of energy delivery to match the underlying nerve anatomy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates temperature sensors and control systems that monitor thermal energy delivery in real-time. The system adjusts energy delivery parameters based on feedback from temperature measurements, ensuring precise control of the thermal dose delivered to the nerve. This closed-loop control compensates for the less direct energy delivery path through the implant-bone-nerve interface
3Reliability
If thermal energy is applied to pre-existing implants for neuromodulation, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but risk of thermal damage to surrounding tissue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating elements are strategically positioned to confine thermal energy to the distal portion of the implant where the nerve is located, preventing heat from propagating to surrounding healthy tissues. The insulating coating creates a thermal barrier that directs heat flow locally to the target nerve while protecting adjacent structures from thermal damage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies thermal energy at controlled levels that are sufficient to achieve nerve modulation but below thresholds that would cause damage to surrounding tissues. The energy delivery is calibrated to deliver just enough thermal dose to the nerve through the implant-bone interface, avoiding excessive heating that could harm adjacent structures
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
This method provides a diffuse and controlled heating solution for modulating nerves within the spine, reducing pain effectively while minimizing surgical intervention and recovery time, and can be applied to challenging anatomical locations without requiring precise nerve location knowledge or additional incisions.
Implementation Method 1
applying thermal energy to the pedicle screw to conduct heat to the cancellous bone region sufficient to modulate the nerve within the cancellous bone region
Data Source
AI summary
Methods of using hardware (e.g., bone screws, anchors or other devices) previously inserted within the body to facilitate energy delivery are disclosed. The energy delivery (e.g., thermal energy) may be used for neuromodulation (such as stimulation or denervation), tissue heating and ablation, curing, and other applications in the spine and non-spine orthopedic locations.