Posterior Prosthetic Spinal Disc with Articulating Units

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current prosthetic spinal discs are too bulky for safe posterior implantation, posing risks due to their size and inflexibility, and existing solutions fail to mimic the natural spinal disc's varying instantaneous axis of rotation (IAR) and center of rotation (COR), leading to potential damage to facet joints and instability.

Innovation Solution

A posterior prosthetic spinal disc design featuring articulating or non-articulating units with flexible members, slider plates, and adjustable endplates that allow for customization of IAR and COR, enabling safe posterior implantation while maintaining stability and mimicking natural spinal motion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If current prosthetic spinal disc design is used, then implantation can be performed, but the disc is too bulky for safe posterior implantation and poses risks due to size and inflexibility

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprosthetic disc sizeVSAvoidimplantation safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The prosthetic disc is divided into multiple articulating units (e.g., two upper units and two lower units) that can move independently relative to each other. This segmentation allows the implant to be inserted through a narrower posterior approach while maintaining the necessary functional volume and providing flexibility to avoid spinal cord contact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The prosthetic disc incorporates dynamic articulating units with slider plates and flexible members that allow motion and adjustment. This dynamic design enables the disc to adapt its configuration during insertion and operation, reducing bulk during posterior implantation while maintaining functional integrity and safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If fixed IAR and COR are used in prosthetic disc, then device structure is simplified, but it fails to mimic natural spinal motion leading to facet joint damage and instability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisc structure complexityVSAvoidspinal stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The articulating units are designed with slider plates that move along curved paths, dynamically adjusting the instantaneous axis of rotation (IAR) and center of rotation (COR) to mimic natural spinal motion. This dynamic adaptation prevents facet joint damage while maintaining reasonable structural complexity through standardized unit designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The prosthetic disc changes its geometric parameters (IAR and COR positions) dynamically during operation through the motion of articulating units. This allows the device to adapt to different spinal positions and loads, mimicking natural disc behavior without requiring overly complex control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If posterior implantation approach is used, then access to spinal disc is obtained, but bulky prosthetic discs contact spinal cord creating safety risks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimplantation accessVSAvoidspinal cord contact risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the prosthetic disc into multiple smaller articulating units, the overall insertion profile is reduced, allowing posterior access without contacting the spinal cord. The segmented units can be inserted through a narrower corridor while maintaining functional disc volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The articulating units incorporate flexible members and thin film-like slider plates that allow the prosthetic disc to bend and conform to the insertion path, enabling posterior approach while avoiding rigid contact with the spinal cord.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS11382760B2Method for inserting and positioning an artificial disc
Publication Date: 2022.07.12 GLOBUS MEDICAL INC
  • US11382760B2 patent drawing
  • US11382760B2 patent drawing
  • US11382760B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method for inserting an intervertebral artificial disc is provided with the intervertebral disc including a first endplate having a plurality of protrusions for attaching to an adjacent vertebrae and an extension portion extending towards a second adjacent vertebrae. A second endplate is provided with a plurality of protrusions for attaching to a second adjacent vertebrae and an extension portion extending towards the first adjacent vertebrae. A flexible member having an upper portion and a lower portion and a slider plate positioned within the upper portion of the flexible member is also provided. The extension portion of the first endplate is adapted to fit within a first cavity in the upper portion of the flexible member and the extension portion of the second endplate is adapted to fit within a second cavity in the lower portion of the flexible member.