Spinal Prosthesis Flexure Assembly for Adjacent Segment Degeneration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fusion of vertebrae to alleviate back pain often leads to degenerative phenomena migrating to adjacent unfused components, causing continued pain and instability in the spine.
Innovation Solution
A novel spinal prosthesis with a unitary body and flexure assembly that includes attachment members with mechanical fasteners, elastomeric components, and polyaxial pedicle screws, allowing for omnidirectional movement and secure attachment to the spinal structure, thereby reducing tension and facilitating installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fusion of two or more adjacent vertebrae is performed to alleviate back pain, then pain relief is achieved, but degenerative phenomena migrate to adjacent unfused vertebral components causing continued pain and instability
Solution Approach 1:
The prosthesis divides the spinal stabilization function into multiple independent attachment points (at least three) distributed across adjacent vertebrae, with each point providing localized stabilization while the flexure assembly allows controlled movement between segments. This segmentation prevents the migration of degenerative phenomena by stabilizing multiple areas rather than forcing motion to adjacent unfused segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexure assembly positioned between attachment members enables dynamic movement while maintaining stabilization. The assembly allows controlled flexion and extension between vertebrae, providing motion preservation rather than rigid fusion, thereby preventing stress concentration and degenerative migration to adjacent segments while maintaining pain relief.
2Stability of the object's composition
If rigid fusion is performed to stabilize the spine, then spinal stability is improved, but movement and flexibility of the spine are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The flexure assembly provides dynamic stabilization by allowing controlled movement between attachment members while maintaining overall spinal stability. The assembly flexes with spinal motion, preserving natural movement patterns and adaptability while preventing excessive or unstable motion that would compromise spinal integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The prosthesis changes the mechanical parameters of spinal stabilization from rigid fixed connections to flexible controlled connections. The flexure assembly modifies the stiffness and movement characteristics between vertebrae, allowing controlled ranges of motion while maintaining stability, thereby preserving spinal adaptability without sacrificing structural support.
3Reliability
If traditional spinal fusion procedures are used, then pain relief is achieved, but invasive procedures and surgical complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The prosthesis is divided into modular components including multiple attachment members and a flexure assembly that can be independently positioned and secured. This segmentation allows for simplified surgical installation compared to traditional fusion procedures, as each component can be attached separately to spinal structures using standard fixation techniques, reducing overall surgical complexity while maintaining effective pain relief.
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 spinal prosthesis provides stable attachment points, reduces tension between vertebrae, and minimizes invasive procedures by allowing flexible movement, effectively addressing the migration of degenerative phenomena and providing pain relief.
Implementation Method 1
an elastomeric member (22) placed between and may be integrally formed with or attached to the upper and lower vertebral attachment members (20, 21). The elastomeric member (22) may flex in any direction, which may help reduce tension between the attachment members (20, 21) during movement of the spine.
Data Source
AI summary
An article including a spinal prosthesis having a unitary body with at least three attachment points attachable to spinal structure, the unitary body including a flexure assembly positioned between first and second attachment members, wherein flexure of the flexure assembly permits movement of the first attachment member relative to the second attachment member.