Unilateral Expandable Spinal Prosthesis Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for impaired intervertebral discs often result in loss of motion between vertebrae, as they either remove or fuse the discs, failing to restore natural body function effectively.
Innovation Solution
An implantable expandable spinal prosthesis is designed to be inserted laterally into a damaged disc, expanding to a height greater than the normal disc space, allowing for appropriate contact with vertebrae and maintaining natural motion, with methods for easy implantation and extraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If disc removal or fusion procedures are used to treat impaired discs, then the structural support is improved, but the natural motion between vertebrae is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The prosthesis is divided into multiple expandable segments that can be independently adjusted to match the natural curvature and motion characteristics of the spinal disc, allowing structural support while preserving motion
Solution Approach 2:
The prosthesis features an expandable structure that can dynamically adjust its height and configuration to accommodate the natural range of motion between vertebrae, transitioning from a compact implantable form to an expanded functional form that mimics disc movement
2Shape
If the prosthesis is designed to expand to greater than normal disc space height, then appropriate contact with vertebrae is achieved, but the implantation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The prosthesis employs a nested structure where the expandable elements are contained within each other in a compact configuration during implantation, allowing easy insertion through a small incision, and then expand sequentially to achieve the final height greater than normal disc space for proper vertebral contact
Solution Approach 2:
The prosthesis is pre-configured in a compressed state suitable for implantation through a lateral approach, with expansion mechanisms pre-loaded and ready to be activated after placement, simplifying the implantation procedure while ensuring proper final positioning
3Adaptability or versatility
If the prosthesis is made expandable to restore natural motion, then the functional capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The prosthesis utilizes flexible expandable elements that can bend and conform to the natural curvature of the spinal disc, enabling restoration of physiological motion patterns while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through the use of compliant materials and geometric design
Data Source
AI summary
An expandable spinal prosthesis is provided for insertion unilaterally into an annulotomy hole created laterally in a spinal disc between two abutting vertebrae. The prosthesis is composed of an elongated rod having first threading at one end and second threading at its other end. A first member is threaded on the threading at one end of the rod. A second member is threaded on the threading at the other end of the rod. The members are disengageably engaged for rotation together. The first member has a plurality of resilient bands extending longitudinally between the two members, which are dependent on the spacing between the two members. The first member and the elongated rod define engagements for coupling of drivers to relatively rotate the members and rod in one sense so that the two members will move toward each other to cause the resilient bands to bend outwardly to expand the prosthesis and in an opposite sense so that the two members will move apart to cause the resilient bands to become unbent and collapse the prosthesis. A method for implanting the prosthesis from one side only and a method for explanting the prosthesis from one side only.