Spinal Alignment Prosthetics for Deformity Correction and Motion Preservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spinal fusion and disc arthroplasty procedures often fail to effectively address severe spinal deformities such as scoliosis and curvature abnormalities, limiting their efficacy in reducing pain and immobilizing spinal portions, while motion-preserving joint replacements are needed to correct these issues.
Innovation Solution
A prosthetic system with independent joint components is implanted between vertebrae, allowing for relative movement and incorporating pedicle support, with preoperative planning to reshape vertebral bodies and correct spinal alignment using surgical navigation and robotics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If spinal fusion or disc arthroplasty procedures are performed, then pain reduction and spinal stabilization are achieved, but severe spinal deformities such as scoliosis and curvature abnormalities cannot be effectively corrected
Solution Approach 1:
The spinal column is divided into individual vertebral segments that can be independently addressed through targeted osteotomies and implant placement. Each vertebral body can be reshaped and repositioned separately, allowing cumulative correction of severe deformities while maintaining overall spinal stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from rigid fusion to dynamic stabilization, allowing the spine to maintain controlled motion while correcting deformities. The implants provide stabilization without complete immobilization, enabling the spine to adapt to corrected alignment while preserving physiological movement.
2Adaptability or versatility
If motion-preserving joint replacement is implemented, then spinal motion is maintained and deformity correction is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The prosthetic system is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: deformity correction through osteotomy, spinal stabilization through implant fixation, and motion preservation through articulated joint components. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate devices for each purpose.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant system employs nested components where the articulating joint is positioned within the prosthetic body, and fixation elements are integrated into the overall structure. This nesting reduces the number of separate parts while maintaining complex functionality.
3Manufacturing precision
If preoperative planning and surgical navigation are used to correct spinal alignment, then anatomical precision is improved, but surgical procedure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Comprehensive preoperative planning including imaging, 3D modeling, and virtual surgical simulation is performed before the actual surgery. This preliminary action allows the surgical team to precisely plan osteotomy angles, implant positioning, and alignment corrections, reducing intraoperative decision-making complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Surgical navigation systems provide real-time feedback during the procedure, allowing the surgeon to compare actual positioning with the preoperative plan and make immediate adjustments. This feedback loop ensures anatomical precision while simplifying intraoperative decision-making through guidance.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are systems, devices, methods and surgical procedures for altering and/or correcting the alignment of adjacent bones, including bones of the spine.