Segmented Artificial Spinal Joint for Motion Preservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal arthroplasty devices and methods fail to effectively address degenerative changes, discogenic, facet pain, and spondylolisthesis while maintaining spinal motion, as they either fuse segments or replace components without providing adequate motion preservation.
Innovation Solution
An artificial spinal joint system comprising two arthroplasty halves with articulating joint replacement components and posterior joint replacement components, connected by bridge components, is implanted through a posterior approach, forming a unitized intervertebral joint that allows limited movement and stabilizes adjacent vertebrae, using materials like cobalt chromium molybdenum alloy and titanium/calcium/phosphate coatings for bone ingrowth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If spinal arthroplasty devices fuse segments to stabilize vertebrae, then stability is improved, but spinal motion is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The artificial spinal joint is divided into two separate arthroplasty halves, each containing an articulating joint replacement component. These halves are inserted through separate posterior approaches and then engaged with each other to form a complete joint, allowing motion preservation while providing stability
Solution Approach 2:
The articulating joint replacement components serve as intermediary elements between the superior and inferior vertebrae, enabling controlled motion while maintaining spinal stability. The bridge components act as additional intermediaries connecting the articulating components to the vertebrae
2Ease of operation
If a posterior approach is used to implant the artificial spinal joint, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The implant system is segmented into multiple components (two arthroplasty halves with articulating components and bridge components) that can be inserted separately through the posterior approach, making the surgical procedure more accessible while the components work together as a complete system
Solution Approach 2:
The separate arthroplasty halves and bridge components are merged together in situ to form a unitized intervertebral joint, combining multiple simple insertion steps into a complete functional system that provides both stability and motion
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 system effectively maintains spinal motion, addresses degenerative changes, and provides stability by allowing limited movement between vertebrae, promoting bone ingrowth and secure fixation, thus addressing the limitations of existing spinal arthroplasty techniques.
Implementation Method 1
titanium/calcium/phosphate coatings for bone ingrowth
Data Source
AI summary
An artificial spinal joint for creating at least a portion of a coupling between a superior vertebra and an inferior vertebra is disclosed. The artificial spinal joint comprises a first arthroplasty half comprising a first articulating joint replacement component for placement in an intervertebral disc space between the superior and inferior vertebrae, a first posterior joint replacement component, and a first bridge component coupled between the first articulating joint replacement component and the first posterior joint replacement component. The artificial spinal joint further comprises a second arthroplasty half comprising a second articulating joint replacement component for placement in an intervertebral disc space between the superior and inferior vertebrae, a second posterior joint replacement component, and a second bridge component coupled between the second articulating joint replacement component and the second posterior joint replacement component. The first articulating joint replacement component is engaged with the second articulating joint replacement component.