Vertebral Stabilizer Bumper Dynamics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for treating damaged spinal discs and associated spinal stenosis often result in invasive procedures and inadequate pain relief, with a need for less invasive alternatives that can dynamically stabilize vertebral motion segments while allowing natural motion.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a resilient member and attachment portions that convert compressive and tensile forces into compressive forces on the resilient member, providing dynamic stabilization and load distribution across vertebral motion segments, including a bumper with a central member that compresses during both compression and extension, and attachment mechanisms that allow for flexible movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If vertebral fusion or nucleus replacement is used to treat damaged spinal discs, then spinal stability is improved, but invasiveness increases and natural motion is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate components including attachment portions that secure to vertebrae and a resilient member that provides dynamic stabilization, allowing less invasive installation compared to fusion procedures while maintaining spinal stability
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient member enables dynamic motion between vertebrae while providing stabilization, allowing the spinal segment to move naturally unlike rigid fusion procedures, thus reducing invasiveness while maintaining stability
2Stability of the object's composition
If rigid stabilization is applied to vertebral motion segments, then spinal stability is improved, but natural motion capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient member is designed to provide dynamic stabilization that adapts to natural spinal motion, allowing compression and extension movements while maintaining stability, thus preserving natural motion capability rather than restricting it
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient member changes its mechanical parameters (compression and extension properties) to accommodate natural spinal motion while providing stabilization, enabling the device to adapt to varying motion requirements rather than enforcing rigid constraints
3Force
If the resilient member compresses during both compression and extension, then load distribution is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device converts both compressive and tensile forces into beneficial compressive forces on the resilient member, utilizing the full range of motion to distribute loads effectively, thus improving load distribution while keeping the mechanism relatively simple
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment portions and resilient member are integrated to work together in converting different force types into unified compressive action on the resilient member, simplifying the overall mechanism while achieving improved load distribution
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 stabilizes vertebral motion segments, relieves spinal stenosis, and reduces pain by distributing loads and allowing natural motion, providing a less invasive alternative to existing treatments.
Implementation Method 1
a bumper with a central member that compresses during both compression and extension
Data Source
AI summary
A system for flexibly stabilizing a vertebral motion segment by connecting a first vertebra and a second vertebra is disclosed. The system includes a bumper with a resilient central member. The system is designed such that the resilient central member is compressed in both compression and extension of the bumper or vertebral motion segment. The system includes first and second means for connecting the bumper to the vertebrae.