Spinal Stabilization Device with Staggered Motion Limiting Members
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal fusion techniques result in permanent immobilization of motion segments, leading to loss of mobility, stress concentration, and accelerated degeneration in adjacent joints, and often fail to alleviate patient pain, as they eliminate the natural function of the motion segment unit and reduce support.
Innovation Solution
A soft spine stabilization system that allows up to six degrees of freedom, featuring staggered motion limiting members on trapezoid-shaped endplates and a body with adjustable height, designed to replicate the physiologic response of a healthy spinal motion segment, enabling flexion, extension, rotation, and lateral bending while minimizing wear and preventing extreme compression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If fusion is performed to stabilize the motion segment unit, then stability is improved, but mobility is lost and stress concentration occurs in adjacent joints
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs a dynamic stabilization mechanism where the body can compress and expand within the endplates, allowing the motion segment to adapt to loading conditions. The motion limiting members are designed to permit controlled movement while preventing excessive motion, creating a dynamic system that maintains stability without completely eliminating mobility.
Solution Approach 2:
The device changes the mechanical parameters of the motion segment by allowing controlled compression and expansion of the body within the endplates. This parameter change enables the system to provide stability through load distribution while maintaining physiological motion capabilities, rather than achieving stability through rigid fusion.
2Stability of the object's composition
If rigid stabilization is implemented, then immobilization is achieved, but the natural function of the motion segment unit is eliminated
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses flexible endplates and a compressible body that can deform within the endplate boundaries. This flexible construction allows the motion limiting members to constrain motion while still permitting the natural compressive and expansive movements of the spinal motion segment, thereby preserving natural function rather than eliminating it.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static rigid immobilization to dynamic controlled movement. The body can dynamically compress and expand within the endplates during normal spinal motion, and the motion limiting members dynamically adjust to permit or restrict motion based on loading conditions, maintaining natural function while providing stabilization.
3Stability of the object's composition
If fusion is performed, then stabilization is achieved, but pain relief is not guaranteed and clinical success is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The device is designed to be self-adjusting through the natural compression and expansion of the body within the endplates during spinal motion. This self-service mechanism allows the system to automatically adapt to loading conditions and maintain physiological motion patterns, potentially improving pain relief reliability by preserving natural movement rather than imposing rigid stabilization.
4Stability of the object's composition
If motion limiting members are added to constrain motion, then stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the motion control function into discrete motion limiting members positioned at specific locations within the endplates. Each member independently contributes to motion control, allowing for simplified design and assembly while achieving the desired stability. The segmentation enables clear differentiation between motion-permitted and motion-restricted zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The motion limiting members are merged with the endplate structure, forming an integrated assembly where the limiting members are positioned within or attached to the endplates. This merging reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall device structure while maintaining effective motion control capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A prosthetic device can be used as a prosthesis following a discectomy or a corpectomy. The prosthetic device includes two endplates with staggered motion limiting members. The device can be configured to allow six degrees of motion when comparing one endplate relative to the other. The endplates can be configured to fix the joint by changing the body held within the device and by adding a locking plate and fasteners. A method teaches how to insert a device to an intervertebral space via an anterior incision.