Intervertebral Tensional Artificial Disc with Elastic Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional artificial disc replacements experience wear due to friction and potential foreign substance generation, leading to backaches and high material costs, as they fix vertebrae instead of mimicking natural disc mobility and flexibility.
Innovation Solution
An intervertebral tensional artificial disc replacement with an inferior plate providing elastic force and a superior plate that rotates within a certain angular range, featuring an elastic connection part and prevention bumps to prevent excessive rotation and abrasion, allowing for movement similar to natural spinal motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If conventional artificial disc replacement is used with fixed vertebrae, then structural stability is improved, but friction wear and foreign substance generation occur leading to backaches
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing fixed vertebral structures with a dynamic tensional element system. The tensional element (spring or elastomer) allows continuous movement and rotation between vertebrae, eliminating static friction wear while maintaining structural stability. The superior and inferior plates rotate relative to each other within a controlled angular range, mimicking natural spinal motion and preventing the friction-induced backaches associated with fixed disc replacements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the conventional mechanical friction-based connection between artificial disc components with a tensional element-based system. Instead of relying on fixed surfaces that generate friction wear, the invention uses elastic/tensional forces transmitted through the tensional element to connect and move the superior and inferior plates, eliminating direct contact friction and the generation of foreign substances.
2Ease of operation
If artificial disc replacement allows mobility similar to natural disc, then backache prevention is improved, but control over rotation range becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by incorporating prevention bumps on the tensional element that proactively limit rotation before excessive movement occurs. These bumps engage with corresponding features on the plates to prevent over-rotation, providing built-in control without requiring complex external mechanisms. This allows natural-like mobility while preventing harmful extreme positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The tensional element with prevention bumps serves itself by automatically limiting rotation through the engagement of prevention bumps with plate features. The system self-regulates the angular range without requiring external control mechanisms, sensors, or power sources, thereby achieving controlled mobility through an elegant self-contained design.
3Device complexity
If tensional element with prevention bumps is used, then rotation control is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by allowing the prevention bumps to engage at variable positions during rotation, controlling the angular range through geometric parameters rather than fixed precision positioning. The bumps engage with corresponding features on the plates at different locations depending on the rotation angle, providing control through motion geometry rather than requiring high-precision static positioning of the bumps themselves.
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 effectively reduces abrasion and maintains spinal mobility by supporting vertebrae with elastic force, preventing wear and foreign substance generation, while aligning with natural spinal motion and reducing the risk of backaches.
Implementation Method 1
an inferior plate engaging with a lower vertebra and providing elastic force to an upper vertebra
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is an intervertebral tensional artificial disc replacement, insertable between adjacent vertebrae, which includes an inferior plate engaging with a lower vertebra and providing elastic force to an upper vertebra, and a superior plate seated on an upper portion of the inferior plate to engage with the upper vertebra, the superior plate being rotatable right and left within a certain angular range depending on rotation of the upper vertebra. Since the adjacent vertebrae are supported by elastic force, it is possible to prevent abrasion due to frequent friction between upper and lower bodies of the artificial disc replacement. In addition, the intervertebral artificial disc replacement can engage well with a spine and move well by locating the central axis of motion of the intervertebral artificial disc replacement at a rearward position, similar to the central axis of the body's spinal motion.