Self-Distracting Interspinous Spacer for Spinal Stenosis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for spinal stenosis, such as laminectomy and spacer device implantation, are associated with mechanical compromise and increased risks in elderly patients due to bone removal and complications like back pain and infection, and require additional instruments for distraction.

Innovation Solution

An interspinous spacer designed to self-distract the stenotic interspinous space by fusing over time to the spinous processes using abrading and fusion-promoting materials like BMP and hydroxyapatite, constructed from non-bone materials like PEEK and PEKK, which facilitates bone growth and secure fixation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If laminectomy is performed to relieve spinal stenosis, then pressure on the spinal cord and nerves is reduced, but mechanical strength of the spine is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverelief of spinal stenosisVSAvoidmechanical strength of spine

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the problematic lamina portion through laminectomy to relieve spinal stenosis, while compensating for the mechanical weakness through the植入 of a spacer device that provides structural support in the interspinous space, thus resolving the contradiction between stenosis relief and mechanical strength preservation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The spacer device is constructed from composite materials including bone graft substitutes and fusion promoting materials that integrate with the patient's bone, creating a biocompatible structure that maintains mechanical integrity while facilitating spinal fusion and stabilizing the compromised spinal segment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If spacer devices are implanted to treat spinal stenosis, then decompression is achieved, but additional instruments and ligament perforation are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedecompression of spinal stenosisVSAvoidnumber of instruments and procedures

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions into a single spacer device: the device provides decompression of the spinal canal, maintains spinal alignment, and serves as a fusion promoter all in one component, eliminating the need for separate distraction instruments and reducing the complexity of the surgical procedure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The spacer device is designed with self-distracting capabilities and fusion-promoting properties that enable it to perform its function without requiring additional specialized instruments, as the device itself provides the necessary mechanical distraction and biological fusion promotion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Stability of the object's composition

If fusion materials are placed in the interspinous space, then stable fusion is promoted, but the supraspinous ligament must be perforated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefusion stabilityVSAvoidligament perforation and infection risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The spacer device acts as an intermediary structure that provides a controlled pathway for fusion materials to reach the interspinous space without requiring direct perforation of the supraspinous ligament, thus maintaining ligament integrity while enabling stable fusion through the device's integrated fusion-promoting materials

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution effectively distracts the interspinous space, reduces the need for additional instruments, and promotes stable fusion, minimizing complications and mechanical compromise, while allowing for both open and minimally invasive procedures.

Implementation Method 1

As new bone generates to heal the abraded portion, the new bone may communicate with the fusion promoting materials and grow into the main cavity of the spacer, thus fixing the spacer to both the superior and inferior spinous processes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOsteogenesis:

Implementation Method 2

Such fusion promoting materials may include, but are not necessarily limited to BMP (bone morphogenic protein), demineralized bone matrix, allograft cancellous bone, autograft bone, hydroxyapetite, coral and/or other highly porous substances

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBone morphogenic protein induction:

Implementation Method 3

The interspinous spacer may also be constructed from non-bone materials (e.g. polyaryletheretherketone (PEEK) and/or polaryletherketoneketone (PEKK)) which are physically designed to promote fusion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMaterial biocompatibility:

Data Source

PatentUS8292923B1Systems and methods for treating spinal stenosis

Publication Date: 2012.10.23 NUVASIVE INC

AI summary

The present invention involves a system and method for implanting an interspinous spacer configured to self-distract a stenotic interspinous space. The present system includes, but is not necessarily limited to, an interspinous spacer and insertion instrumentation for assisting in the implantation and positioning of the interspinous spacer within an interspinous space.