Spinal Stabilization System Laminar Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spinal stabilization systems face challenges such as misalignment, reliance on brittle spinous processes, cumbersome and expensive implementations, and inefficiency in minimizing both distraction and reduction of intervertebral spacing, particularly due to complex component alignments and adjustments required during surgery.
Innovation Solution
A spinal stabilization system featuring engagement members with recessed seating surfaces for laminar regions and support structures that engage pedicle regions, utilizing biasing and tensioning members to maintain intervertebral spacing without directly loading spinous processes, thus providing structural reinforcement closer to the spine's central axis and simplifying surgical procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If interspinous spacer systems directly engage spinous processes, then they provide support to limit reduction in intervertebral spacing, but they rely on brittle spinous processes that can become unreliable due to aging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the engagement interface from the spinous processes entirely. Instead of engaging spinous processes, the system engages only the laminar regions of adjacent vertebrae through engagement members with seating surfaces that interface with the laminar surfaces, extracting the unreliable spinous processes from the load-bearing path
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces engagement members with laminar interface surfaces as intermediaries between the vertebrae. These engagement members provide a reliable interface with the laminar regions, eliminating the need to rely on spinous process integrity while still achieving the goal of limiting reduction in intervertebral spacing
2Reliability
If laminar hook systems use flexible cords to limit distraction, then they provide distraction control, but they are incapable of minimizing reduction of intervertebral spacing and require cumbersome adjustments during surgery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic tensioning member that can be adjusted intraoperatively to transition the engagement members from an engaged state (limiting distraction) to a disengaged state (allowing reduction control). This dynamic adjustment mechanism provides both distraction control and reduction control capabilities without requiring complex fine-tuning of flexible cords
Solution Approach 2:
The patent separates the distraction control function (provided by the tensioning member) from the reduction control function (provided by the engagement members' seating surfaces). This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function and simplifies surgical implementation compared to systems requiring simultaneous adjustment of multiple parameters
3Strength
If longitudinal rod systems are implemented to provide stabilization, then they offer structural support, but they require many components such as rods requiring alignment and screws that need to be threaded into vertebra during surgery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into fewer components. The engagement members simultaneously provide distraction control, reduction control, and structural support that would otherwise require separate rods, screws, and alignment mechanisms in conventional systems. This consolidation reduces component count and surgical complexity while maintaining structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement members serve multiple functions: they limit distraction through their seating surfaces, prevent reduction through their structural design, and provide structural support for the stabilization system. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated components for each function, reducing overall system complexity
4Reliability
If interspinous spacer systems rely on reactive moments applied to spinous processes, then they provide stabilization, but the moment generated can potentially cause misalignment of the corresponding vertebrae relative to the rest of the spine
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the approach by engaging the laminar regions directly rather than relying on spinous processes as leverage points. This inversion eliminates the moment arm that causes misalignment, as the engagement members interface directly with the vertebrae's laminar surfaces closer to the spinal axis, providing stabilization without inducing rotational forces
Data Source
AI summary
A spinal stabilization system includes a first engagement member and a support structure. The first engagement member is adapted to be disposed between a first vertebra and a second vertebra. The engagement member generally includes a seating surface for accommodating at least a portion of a laminar region of the first vertebra. The support structure engages a portion of the second vertebra. The structural cooperation of the first engagement member and the support structure is such that the engagement member restricts reduction of the intervertebral spacing between the first and second vertebrae.