Minimally Invasive Prosthetic Discs with Integrated Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spinal fusion procedures lead to degenerative changes in adjacent discs due to altered biomechanical environment, causing increased motion and stress, which results in long-term degeneration.
Innovation Solution
Prosthetic intervertebral discs with an upper and lower end plate separated by a compressible core, held together by high tenacity fibers, designed for minimally invasive surgical implantation, mimicking the functional characteristics of a natural disc and incorporating integrated vertebral body fixation elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If spinal fusion is performed to treat disc damage, then short-term pain relief and stability are achieved, but long-term degenerative changes occur in adjacent discs due to altered biomechanics
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the spinal column into independent mobile segments by replacing only the damaged disc while preserving the motion capability at that level, preventing the transfer of excessive stress to adjacent segments that occurs with fusion
Solution Approach 2:
The prosthetic disc changes the biomechanical parameters of the spinal segment by providing controlled motion and stress distribution, maintaining physiological loading patterns that prevent adjacent disc degeneration
2Stability of the object's composition
If conventional spinal fusion with spacers and hardware is used, then structural stability is achieved, but surgical complexity and invasiveness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the functions of the disc spacer, fixation elements, and motion-preserving mechanism into a single integrated prosthetic disc device, eliminating the need for separate spacers, screws, and plates
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the essential function of spinal support and motion from the complex fusion hardware system, creating a simpler device that maintains stability without requiring extensive surgical implantation of multiple components
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional anterior or posterior lumbar approaches are used for disc replacement, then adequate exposure is achieved, but surgical trauma and recovery time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a minimally invasive access device as an intermediary tool to deliver the prosthetic disc through a small posterior approach, avoiding the need for large incisions and extensive muscle dissection required by traditional approaches
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 prosthetic discs effectively replace damaged discs, reducing stress on adjacent segments, maintaining spinal motion and preventing long-term degeneration while allowing for minimally invasive surgical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a compressible core member disposed between the two end plates
Implementation Method 2
The fibers are generally high tenacity fibers with a high modulus of elasticity
Data Source
AI summary
The described devices are spinal implants that may be surgically implanted into the spine to replace damaged or diseased discs using a posterior approach. The discs are prosthetic devices that approach or mimic the physiological motion and reaction of the natural disc.