Intervertebral Prosthesis Asymmetric Outlet Osteocementum Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current intervertebral implants fail to achieve complete arthrodesis due to limited availability of autologous spongiosa, leading to pseudoarthrosis and mechanical instability, especially in dorsal accesses where filling the intervertebral space with bone material is challenging, resulting in potential implant migration and fibrous tissue filling.

Innovation Solution

An intervertebral prosthesis with asymmetrically dimensioned outlet openings to control the distribution of flowable hydraulic osteocementum, ensuring more material is delivered to specific regions between vertebral bodies, thereby facilitating complete filling and stabilization without the need for additional bone removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If autologous spongiosa is used to fill the intervertebral space, then complete arthrodesis can be achieved, but the limited availability of bone material results in incomplete filling and pseudoarthrosis

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearthrodesis completionVSAvoidautologous spongiosa availability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from autologous spongiosa to flowable hydraulic osteocementum, which can be supplied in sufficient quantities to completely fill the intervertebral space, thereby achieving complete arthrodesis without being limited by bone material availability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses flowable hydraulic osteocementum that can be injected through the inlet opening and distributed throughout the cavity and intervertebral space, enabling complete filling without mechanical insertion difficulties

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Reliability

If autologous bone material is applied through dorsal access, then arthrodesis can be achieved, but the narrow access makes filling difficult and results in empty spaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearthrodesis completionVSAvoidbone material application

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses injectable flowable osteocementum that can be delivered through narrow dorsal access via catheter or injection channel, eliminating the mechanical filling difficulties associated with solid bone grafts while ensuring complete space occupation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs asymmetric outlet openings of different sizes at different locations to selectively control osteocementum distribution to specific regions of the intervertebral space that require enhanced filling, optimizing the limited material delivery through targeted local distribution

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If symmetric outlet openings are used, then simple manufacturing is achieved, but uniform osteocementum distribution fails to supply individual regions with adequate material

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoutlet opening fabricationVSAvoidosteocementum distribution

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs asymmetric outlet openings with different sizes and/or positions to create non-uniform osteocementum distribution patterns that specifically target regions requiring enhanced material supply, such as central or posterior zones, while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The prosthesis effectively secures the implant by selectively spreading osteocementum, preventing pseudoarthrosis and reducing the need for additional bone harvesting, thus enhancing mechanical stability and reducing pain associated with iliac crest interventions.

Implementation Method 1

flowable hydraulic osteocementum is supplied through the inlet opening into the cavity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Implementation Method 2

The implant is secured by the emergence and subsequent curing of the flowable, hydraulic osteocementum

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCuring:

Data Source

PatentUS8992618B2Intervertebral prosthesis or disk prosthesis

Publication Date: 2015.03.31 DEPUY SYNTHES PROD INC

AI summary

An intervertebral prosthesis or disk prosthesis comprising a front side, a rear side, an upper side which can be placed on the base plate of vertebral body, a lower side which can be placed on the base plate of a vertebral body, a right side, a left side, a cavity which can receive a fluid hydraulic osteocementum, an opening in the cavity and several outlets out from the cavity. The total of the transversal surfaces of the outlets SV on the front side, the total of the transversal surfaces of the outlets SH on the rear side, the total of the transversal surfaces of the outlets SR on the right side and the total of the transversal surfaces of the outlets on the left side satisfy the following conditions: SL>SR or SR>SL or SH>SV or SV>SH.