Posterior Spinal Prosthesis Covering Exposed Cord
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal fixation devices and cross-connectors do not adequately address the overexposure of the spinal cord and the potential for post-operative soft tissue cavitation during spinal decompression procedures, failing to provide sufficient stability and coverage of exposed spinal areas.
Innovation Solution
A posterior spinal prosthesis with a body that extends over and covers posterior portions of the spine, featuring a plate with flanges and fixation elements to couple with spine implants, providing coverage and stabilization, and potentially made from biocompatible materials like PEEK or titanium, designed to accommodate various anatomies and procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If spinal decompression procedure is performed to remove spinous processes, then spinal cord accessibility is improved, but overexposure of vulnerable spinal cord and soft tissue cavitation risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by providing a prosthetic spinous process that is pre-designed to cover and protect the exposed spinal cord and surrounding soft tissues after decompression surgery. The prosthesis acts as a protective barrier that prevents harmful exposure before complications can occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The prosthetic spinous process serves as an intermediary structure between the surgical site and the external environment. It mediates the protective function by filling the gap created during spinous process removal, thereby shielding the vulnerable spinal cord and preventing soft tissue cavitation while maintaining spinal stability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If current cross-connectors are used for stabilization, then structural stability is improved, but coverage of exposed spinal areas and prevention of soft tissue cavitation is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single integrated prosthesis structure. The prosthetic spinous process combines spinal stabilization (acting as a cross-connector) with protective coverage of exposed spinal areas. This unified structure simultaneously provides mechanical stability and shields the spinal cord, eliminating the need for separate stabilization and protection devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The prosthesis exhibits universality by performing multiple functions: it stabilizes the spinal fixation construct, covers the exposed spinal cord, prevents soft tissue cavitation, and restores posterior spinal anatomy. This multi-functional design addresses both stability and protection needs that were previously handled by inadequate separate components.
Data Source
AI summary
A posterior spinal prosthesis is configured to cover exposed portions of a spinal column especially, but not necessarily, as a result of a medical spinal procedure and particularly, to provide posterior coverage of an exposed spinal cord, soft tissue, Foramen and/or adipose tissue, associated with one or more vertebrae as a result of the removal the spinous processes and/or the spinous process and laminar hoods from the one or more vertebrae of the spine as a result of a spinal decompression procedure or other reason. A plate forming the prosthesis is connectable to spine rod constructs implanted on lateral sides of the vertebrae and projects in the posterior direction relative to the connection. The plate is generally curved in the superior/inferior direction to provide either a lordotic or kyphotic curvature depending on the portion of the spine to which the prosthesis is utilized. As such, the posterior spinal prosthesis may be used on any portion of the spine such as the cervical vertebrae, the thoracic vertebrae and/or the lumbar vertebrae. The present posterior spinal prosthesis also provides posterior stabilization of the associated vertebrae as well as aiding in preventing post operative soft tissue cavitation at the decompression site.