Polyaxial Facet Joint Prosthesis Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for spinal pathologies, such as facet joint damage, often result in permanent vertebrae fixation, limiting mobility and failing to restore proper spinal alignment or anatomy, while also having varying success rates and limitations.
Innovation Solution
The development of polyaxial facet joint prostheses with adjustable connections that allow for rotation and positioning of artificial facet joint elements relative to fixation elements, enabling continuous adjustment and alignment with the vertebrae to restore mobility and alleviate nerve compression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If permanent vertebrae fixation is used to treat spinal pathologies, then stability is improved, but mobility is lost and spinal alignment cannot be restored
Solution Approach 1:
The prosthesis employs a polyaxial connection mechanism that enables dynamic adjustment of the artificial facet joint element relative to the fixation element. The connection allows rotation and positioning adjustments around multiple axes, transforming the static fixed structure into a dynamic system that can be adapted to restore proper spinal alignment while maintaining stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The prosthesis is divided into distinct functional components: a fixation element for anchoring to the vertebrae, an artificial facet joint element for articulation, and a polyaxial connection mechanism linking them. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each component's function while enabling relative movement between them to achieve proper alignment.
2Ease of manufacture
If fixed position prostheses are used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but adaptability to different spinal anatomies is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The polyaxial connection mechanism provides post-manufacturing adjustability, allowing the prosthesis to be customized to different spinal anatomies after production. The connection enables adjustment of the artificial facet joint element's position and orientation around multiple axes, accommodating variations in patient anatomy without requiring custom manufacturing for each case.
3Adaptability or versatility
If polyaxial adjustment mechanism is added, then adaptability and alignment capability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex polyaxial adjustment functionality is achieved through segmentation into modular components: a fixation element with polyaxial connection features, and an artificial facet joint element with corresponding adjustment mechanisms. This modular segmentation manages complexity by distributing adjustment functions across separate, standardized components rather than requiring a monolithic complex structure.
Data Source
AI summary
Prostheses, systems, and methods are provided for replacement of natural facet joints between adjacent vertebrae using polyaxial attachment mechanisms for securing the prostheses to the vertebrae. A cephalad prosthesis attached to a superior adjacent vertebra replaces the inferior half of a natural facet joint. A caudal prosthesis attached to an inferior adjacent vertebra replaces the superior half of a natural facet joint. Both the cephalad and caudal prostheses are configured with artificial facet joint structures that include articulating surfaces that cooperate and form an artificial articular configuration. The polyaxial attachment mechanism permits adjustment of the position of the artificial facet joint structure along more than one axis at or after the time the cephalad or caudal prosthesis is attached to a vertebra.