Vertebral Support Device With Elastic Dampening Linking Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vertebral support devices for spinal column implants often lead to vertebral fusion, limiting movement and transferring stresses to adjacent vertebrae and discs, as they do not provide sufficient freedom of movement or adjustable orientation.
Innovation Solution
A vertebral support device comprising osseous anchoring implants connected by a linking element with a central elastic portion and a longitudinal elastic portion, allowing flexible articulation and adjustable orientation to maintain vertebral distance and absorb stresses, preventing fusion while allowing movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If rigid linking elements are used to immobilize vertebrae for fusion, then vertebral stability is improved, but freedom of movement is lost and stresses are transferred to adjacent vertebrae and discs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing rigid, fixed linking elements with flexible linking elements that can dynamically adapt to physiological movements. The flexible linking element allows controlled movement between vertebrae while maintaining stability, enabling the device to transition from a static rigid structure to a dynamic system that accommodates spinal motion during flexion, extension, and rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the physical properties of the linking element from rigid to flexible. This change in material parameter allows the linking element to exhibit both structural support and movement accommodation, fundamentally altering how the device manages the trade-off between stability and freedom of movement.
2Ease of manufacture
If fixed orientation implants are used for simple installation, then ease of manufacture is improved, but adaptability to different spinal conditions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by introducing adjustable and adaptable linking elements that can be positioned at various orientations and angles. The flexible nature of the linking element allows it to be installed in different configurations to match specific patient anatomy and spinal conditions, while maintaining ease of installation through flexible positioning capabilities.
3Strength
If elastic ligaments are used to maintain permanent tension, then vertebral support is improved, but adjustment of articulation position and orientation is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the linking element into multiple functional segments or components. This segmentation allows different portions of the linking element to perform different functions - providing tension support in one aspect while allowing independent adjustment of articulation position and orientation in other aspects, thereby resolving the contradiction between support strength and adjustability.
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 device provides freedom of movement to the vertebrae, relieves stress on intervertebral discs, and allows for the adjustment of the position and orientation of the support device, maintaining vertebral height and preventing fusion, thus improving spinal column stability and reducing damage to adjacent discs.
Implementation Method 1
The dampening element comprises a central elastic portion (32) and a longitudinal elastic portion (33), with the rigid elements (34) articulated by the dampening element (31)... the central elastic portion (32) of the dampening element (31) cooperates with rigid element (34) to accommodate the compression stresses occurring on the linking element (3)
Implementation Method 2
the longitudinal elastic portion (33) accommodates the extension or flexion stresses occurring on the linking element (3)
Implementation Method 3
at least one linking element (3) having a longitudinal axis (L)... The linking element (3) comprises rigid elements (34) and a dampening element (31)... the rigid elements (34) articulated by the dampening element (31)
Data Source
AI summary
A vertebral support device (1) is disclosed, which in various embodiments comprises at least two osseous anchoring implants (2), each designed to be anchored to a vertebra, and at least one linking element (3) fixed to the osseous anchoring implants (2) by fasteners (20) that maintain a fixed angle between the longitudinal axis (L) of the linking element (3) passing through rigid elements (34) of the linking element (3) and the insertion axis (DV) of the implants (2). The linking element (3) includes at least one elastic dampening element (31) that that allows the implant-bearing vertebrae some freedom of movement. The dampening element (31) accommodates the stresses imposed on the linking element (3) during movement of the vertebrae and tends to return the support device (1) to its normal configuration.