Posterior Spinal Prosthesis Pedicle Anchoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional spinal prosthetic devices often have insecure attachment to the vertebral column, leading to potential loosening and displacement, especially in patients with weak vertebral bodies, and require invasive anterior procedures that cause distress and scar tissue formation.

Innovation Solution

A prosthetic device with upper and lower articular portions that provide articulating motion, featuring a flexible attachment element extending from one portion to secure to the vertebra outside the intervertebral space, allowing for posterior implantation and reducing the risk of loosening by anchoring to the pedicles rather than the vertebral body.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If screws are used to attach motion-preserving spinal discs to vertebrae, then the discs can be secured in place, but the attachment location may be less than ideal, potentially weakening the vertebra and not sufficiently securing the discs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecuring of motion-preserving spinal discsVSAvoidvertebral strength

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment element is extracted from the intervertebral space and positioned outside the vertebral body, extending into the spinal canal to engage with the pedicle. This separates the attachment function from the intervertebral space, allowing secure fixation without compromising vertebral body strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment element acts as an intermediary component that transfers loads between the articular portion and the vertebra through the pedicle. This mediator structure provides an optimal attachment path that avoids direct screw fixation into the vertebral body, thereby preserving vertebral strength while ensuring reliable disc securing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If anterior procedures are used for implantation, then the prosthetic device can be inserted, but it causes surgical distress and scar tissue formation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplantation procedureVSAvoidsurgical distress and scar tissue

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of approaching the intervertebral space from the anterior side, the attachment element is introduced from the posterior side through the spinal canal. This inverted approach allows implantation without disturbing anterior vessels and reduces scar tissue formation by accessing the target area through a different anatomical route.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If attachment elements are positioned within the intervertebral space, then they can secure the articular portions, but they may interfere with articulating motion and increase loosening risk

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment securityVSAvoidarticulating motion

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment element is extracted from the intervertebral space and repositioned outside the vertebral body, extending into the spinal canal. This extraction removes the potential interference with articulating motion while maintaining secure attachment through engagement with the pedicle structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment element transitions from a position within the intervertebral space (one dimension) to a position extending outside the vertebral body into the spinal canal (another dimension). This dimensional change allows the attachment function to be performed without interfering with the articulating motion within the intervertebral space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS7635389B2Posterior joint replacement device

Publication Date: 2009.12.22 3SPINE INC

AI summary

A prosthetic device for placement in an intervertebral space defined between an upper vertebra and a lower vertebra to provide articulating motion to the upper and lower vertebrae may includes an upper articular portion configured to be at least partially disposed in the intervertebral space and a lower articular portion configured to be at least partially disposed in the intervertebral space. The lower articular portion may be configured to cooperate with the upper articular portion to provide articulating motion to the upper and lower vertebrae. An attachment element may extend in the general direction of the spinal column. The attachment element may be configured to be fastened to at least one of the upper and the lower vertebrae to at least partially secure in place said one of the upper and lower articular portions. A method of implanting also is disclosed.