Posterior Intervertebral Joint Assembly for Motion Restoration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current intervertebral disc prostheses are invasive, often require anterior access, and do not restore motion, posing challenges in surgical complexity and blood vessel avoidance.
Innovation Solution
An intervertebral joint assembly that can be implanted from the back, using components assembled in situ to form upper and lower supports with articulating joints, minimizing invasiveness and avoiding anterior blood vessels, and allowing for motion restoration between vertebrae.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If anterior access is used for prosthesis insertion, then the prosthesis can be properly positioned, but the surgical invasiveness increases and blood vessels must be avoided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the inversion principle by switching from the conventional anterior approach to a posterior approach for prosthesis insertion. The prosthesis is inserted through the posterior aspect of the spine, avoiding the anterior blood vessels while still achieving proper positioning between the vertebral bodies. This reverses the traditional surgical pathway to eliminate the harmful interaction with anterior vasculature.
2Stability of the object's composition
If fusion surgery is performed to stabilize vertebrae, then surgical stability is achieved, but motion between vertebrae is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by designing a prosthesis that maintains dynamic motion between vertebrae rather than creating a static fusion. The prosthesis includes articulating surfaces that allow physiological movement while providing stability, enabling the spinal segment to adapt to various positions and movements rather than being fixed in place.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter from complete fusion (zero motion) to controlled articulation (physiological motion). By modifying the interface between vertebral bodies from a rigid bony fusion to a mechanical joint with articulating surfaces, the prosthesis restores motion capability while maintaining structural stability through controlled parameters of movement.
3Stability of the object's composition
If complex fusion procedures are used, then vertebral stability is achieved, but surgical complexity and skill requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the complex fusion procedure into simpler discrete components: a modular prosthesis with separate articulating surfaces, bone anchors, and insertion instruments. This segmentation allows each component to be independently prepared and inserted through a standardized posterior approach, reducing the overall surgical complexity compared to traditional multi-step fusion procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
An intervertebral joint assembly includes an upper support and a lower support, each of which has two or more components. The upper and lower support components are arranged in situ to form the upper and lower supports, respectively. By arranging the supports in situ, the supports can be introduced from the back of the patient, for example with an arthroscope. Each of the upper and lower supports has a surface adapted to engage a vertebra and a surface adapted to engage the other support or an intermediate member to form an articulate joint which articulates the joint assembly. In some embodiments, the components of the upper and lower supports are assembled in situ, for example with pivoting, telescoping or bending, to form the upper and lower supports, respectively. The supports can be attached to vertebrae with pedicles screws, and/or other anchors attached to the supports.