Translaminar Interspinous Stabilization System Anchoring
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for spinal instability often rely on long-term medical management or invasive surgery, and existing interspinous stabilization devices may not provide adequate dynamic or rigid stability, especially when the spinous process is damaged or insufficient, limiting their ability to offer customizable solutions for vertebral stabilization across different levels.
Innovation Solution
A translaminar interspinous stabilization system comprising an implantable device with an inferior section, a superior section, and a flexible midsection, featuring lateral plates that engage the laminar surface of vertebrae, secured with bone fasteners, allowing for either dynamic or rigid stability through adjustable fixation elements and the option to promote fusion, suitable for multi-level vertebral stabilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional interspinous stabilization devices are used, then the spinous processes are stabilized, but the devices cannot be securely anchored when the spinous process is damaged, weakened, or insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The device transitions from anchoring only to the spinous process (one dimension) to anchoring to both the spinous process and the lamina (adding another dimension). The lateral extension elements engage the lamina in a different anatomical plane, providing additional anchoring points when the spinous process alone is insufficient.
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilization device is divided into distinct functional segments: a central body portion that interfaces with the spinous process and lateral extension elements that engage the lamina. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific anchoring function independently, providing reliable fixation even when one anchoring site is compromised.
2Stability of the object's composition
If rigid fixation is used to secure the device, then stability is improved, but the system cannot provide dynamic stability for controlled motion
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates both rigid and dynamic fixation options. The bone fasteners can be configured to provide rigid fixation when fusion is desired, or allow for controlled motion when dynamic stability is needed. This dynamic capability enables the same device to adapt to different clinical requirements at different vertebral levels.
Solution Approach 2:
Different fixation strategies can be applied at different locations along the spinal column. Some levels can utilize rigid fixation for maximum stability, while other levels can employ dynamic fixation to preserve controlled motion. This local customization allows the system to address varying stability requirements at different vertebral segments.
3Device complexity
If a single fixation method is used, then the device structure is simple, but the system cannot provide customized stabilization at different vertebral levels
Solution Approach 1:
The device is designed with universal components that can serve multiple functions. The lateral extension elements with bone fasteners can provide both rigid and dynamic fixation capabilities, allowing a single device design to be used across different vertebral levels with varying stabilization requirements, reducing the need for multiple specialized device variants.
4Strength
If the spinous process is used as the bearing surface, then the device can be anchored, but the anchoring fails when the spinous process is damaged or insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The lateral extension elements act as intermediary structures that transfer the anchoring load from the compromised spinous process to the more robust lamina. These extension elements bridge the gap between the insufficient spinous process and the stronger lamina, distributing mechanical stresses to healthier bone structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The device extends anchoring into a different anatomical dimension by engaging the lamina laterally. This dimensional expansion provides access to healthier bone stock that can bear greater loads, compensating for the weakness or insufficiency of the spinous process as a bearing surface.
Data Source
AI summary
A translaminar, interspinous stabilization system is provided. The system may comprise an implantable device for placement between two adjacent vertebrae. The device may comprise an inferior section, a superior section, and a flexible midsection extending therebetween and configured to seat against the lamina between the adjacent vertebrae. A pair of lateral plates may extend from at least one of the inferior section and superior section for engaging a laminar surface of one of the vertebra. Each of the lateral plates includes an aperture for receiving a bone screw therethrough. Also provided is a bone screw for placement through at least one lateral plate for securing the device to the laminar surface of one of the vertebra.