Spine Stabilization Device Using Thermoplastic Anchoring Material
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spine stabilization devices face challenges in achieving stable anchoring in weakened bone tissue and preventing mechanical wear, particularly in degenerative osteoporosis or traumatic injuries, due to the reliance on screws or staples that weaken cortical bone and may lead to loosening.
Innovation Solution
A spine stabilization device with an interbody spacer and a fixation device that uses a thermoplastic anchoring material, liquefied by mechanical vibration or electromagnetic radiation, to infiltrate and harden within cancellous bone, distributing force across a larger bone tissue area and preventing wear, thereby enhancing stability and longevity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If screws or staples are used to fix the interbody spacer to the vertebral bodies, then the interbody spacer can be securely anchored, but the cortical bone of the endplates is weakened, compromising the stability of the vertebral bodies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical screw fixation system with a chemical bonding system using bone cement. The bone cement is injected into the interbody spacer and bonds chemically to the vertebral bodies, eliminating the need for screws that mechanically penetrate and weaken the cortical bone. This substitution resolves the contradiction by providing secure anchoring through chemical adhesion rather than mechanical penetration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and bonding mechanism of the fixation system. Instead of using solid mechanical fasteners (screws), the invention uses a viscous bone cement that is injected and then hardens in place. This parameter change from solid mechanical fixation to viscous chemical fixation allows the cement to flow into and bond with the bone structure without creating stress concentration points that would weaken the cortical bone.
2Reliability
If screws are driven through the endplates at pronounced angles to anchor in cortical bone, then fixation is achieved, but the cortical bone is weakened and multiple attempts may be required during surgery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex mechanical screw insertion process with a simple injection process. The bone cement is injected through a catheter or delivery system into the interbody spacer, eliminating the need for precise angular drilling and screw insertion. This substitution dramatically simplifies the surgical procedure while maintaining reliable fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a delivery system (catheter or injection device) as an intermediary to deliver the bone cement to the target site. This intermediary allows the cement to be delivered precisely to the interbody spacer without requiring the surgeon to manually insert screws at precise angles, thereby simplifying the surgical procedure while achieving reliable fixation.
3Reliability
If screws are used to anchor the interbody spacer, then fixation is achieved, but the screws may loosen over time due to mechanical wear in weakened bone tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical screw fixation with chemical bone cement bonding. The bone cement creates a continuous bonded interface between the interbody spacer and the vertebral bodies, eliminating the mechanical wear and loosening that occurs with screw threads in weakened bone tissue. This chemical bonding mechanism provides more durable long-term fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite material technology by combining the interbody spacer (typically PEEK or other biocompatible polymer) with bone cement (calcium phosphate or other bone-bonding material). This composite approach creates a unified fixation system where the bone cement acts as both adhesive and structural component, providing long-term stability without the loosening issues of mechanical fasteners in degraded bone.
4Strength
If multiple screws are used to secure the interbody spacer, then anchoring strength is improved, but the complexity of the device and surgical procedure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate screw fixation elements into a single unified bone cement fixation system. Instead of inserting and securing multiple individual screws, the bone cement is injected as a single material that simultaneously bonds the interbody spacer to all adjacent vertebral bodies. This merging simplifies the device design and reduces the number of components while maintaining or improving anchoring strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The bone cement serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as an adhesive bonding agent, a structural support material, and a load-transfer medium. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate screws, washers, and locking mechanisms, thereby reducing device complexity while providing comprehensive anchoring strength.
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 provides stronger and more lasting anchoring, reducing the risk of loosening and wear, while allowing for minor movements to be absorbed by the anchoring material, thus improving the stability and durability of the spinal fusion.
Implementation Method 1
an anchoring material element (31) adapted to be inserted into the elongate cavity and to exit the cavity, in a liquid state, at least partially into bone tissue through the at least one opening
Implementation Method 2
liquefied by mechanical vibration or electromagnetic radiation
Implementation Method 3
liquefied by mechanical vibration or electromagnetic radiation
Implementation Method 4
to harden thereafter so as to fix the support portion to the vertebral body
Implementation Method 5
distributing force across a larger bone tissue area and preventing wear
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~9
Figure 10~14
AI summary
A spine stabilization device is provided, the spine stabilization device comprising an interbody spacer (3) shaped to be inserted between a vertebral body (1) of an upper vertebra and a vertebral body (2) of a lower vertebra. The device further comprises Wherein the fixation device comprises a plurality of fasteners, the fasteners comprising an anchoring portion and a retaining projection (58), wherein the anchoring portion is equipped to anchor in the vertebral body of the upper or lower vertebra with the aid of the anchoring material, and wherein the retaining projection projects from an anchoring portion axis towards a median plane of the interbody spacer (3) to support the interbody spacer (3) against escaping from between the vertebral bodies..