Segmented Spinal Disc with Ball-and-Post Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current artificial intervertebral discs and facet replacements do not effectively mimic the function of natural three-joint disc and facet complexes and cannot be easily placed or extracted from either the anterior or posterior of a patient, posing challenges in surgical intervention and potential risks during repeated surgeries.
Innovation Solution
A spinal disc replacement system comprising separable anterior and posterior sections with a ball-and-post mechanism, allowing for limited rotation and flotation, and section connection assemblies that enable placement or extraction from either side, facilitating alignment and secure assembly/disassembly for improved surgical accessibility and functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional artificial disc is designed as a single unit, then the structure is simple, but it cannot be easily placed or extracted from either anterior or posterior and does not approximate natural three-joint function
Solution Approach 1:
The artificial disc is divided into separate anterior and posterior sections that can be independently inserted and assembled within the disc space. This segmentation allows the disc to be placed via either anterior or posterior approach and enables partial extraction if needed, directly resolving the contradiction between surgical flexibility and structural simplicity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If repeated anterior surgeries are performed on a patient, then the risk of damaging major structures increases, but alternative extraction paths are not available with traditional single-unit discs
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the disc into separable anterior and posterior sections, the invention enables extraction via the posterior approach even when the original implant was placed anteriorly. This eliminates the need for repeated anterior surgeries and reduces the risk of damaging anterior major structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The separable design allows extraction through the opposite surgical approach from which the implant was originally inserted. If placed anteriorly, it can be extracted posteriorly, and vice versa, fundamentally changing the surgical strategy and reducing cumulative surgical risk.
3Reliability
If an artificial disc is designed to be rigid and stable, then it provides strong support, but it cannot approximate the natural three-joint disc and facet complex function
Solution Approach 1:
The disc is segmented into anterior and posterior sections with a ball-and-post mechanism that allows controlled movement. This segmentation enables the posterior section to articulate with the facet joints, approximating natural three-joint function while maintaining overall stability through the ball-and-post connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The ball-and-post mechanism between the anterior and posterior sections allows dynamic movement and articulation, enabling the disc to approximate natural three-joint function. The posterior section can move relative to the anterior section, providing physiological motion while maintaining stability.
Data Source
AI summary
An artificial disc for replacement of a spinal three-joint complex of a mammal includes a generally spinal disc-shaped upper plate having an anterior section and a posterior section and a generally spinal disc-shaped lower plate also having an anterior section and a posterior section. The anterior section of the upper plate is selectively separable from the posterior section of the upper plate and the anterior section of the lower plate is likewise selectively separable from the posterior section of the lower plate. A ball is interposed the lower face of the upper plate and the upper face of the lower plate and a plurality of posts, each projecting from one of the faces toward the other of the faces corresponds to a plurality of detents provided on the one of the faces opposite the face from which the corresponding post projects for engaging the posts.