Researchers in the US have created a new biomedical device to treat chronic back pain.
According to a statement, an artificial spinal disc that duplicates the natural motion of the spine has been licensed from Brigham Young University (BYU) to a Utah-based company called Crocker Spinal Technologies.
The device is designed to slide in between the vertebrae of the human spine where there are 23 cartilage-filled discs that hold the vertebrae together and allow for spine movement.
While the discs are critical for movement, they can become the source of back pain when they degenerate or become herniated — a major health problem that is said to affect 85 per cent of Americans and costs the US economy $100bn (£64bn) every year.
‘Low back pain has been described as the most severe pain you can experience that won’t kill you,’ said Anton Bowden, a BYU biomechanics and spine expert. ‘This device has the potential to alleviate that pain and restore the natural motion of the spine — something current procedures can’t replicate.’
The solution devised by the BYU team consists of a jointless, compliant mechanism that facilitates natural spine movement and is aimed at restoring the function of a healthy spinal disc.
‘To mimic the response of the spine is very difficult because of the constrained space and the sophistication of the spine and its parts, said Larry Howell, an expert in compliant mechanism research. ‘A compliant mechanism is more human-like, more natural, and the one we’ve created behaves like a healthy disc.’
BYU student engineers built prototypes, machine-tested the disc and then tested the device in cadaveric spines. The test results show that the artificial replacement disc behaves similarly to a healthy human disc.
Currently, the most common surgical treatment for chronic low back pain is spinal fusion surgery, which is said to have patient satisfaction of less than 50 per cent. Fusion replaces the degenerative disc with bone in order to fuse the adjacent segments to prevent motion-generated pain.
‘Disc replacement is an emerging alternative to fusion that has the potential to make a significant difference in the lives of millions,’ said David Hawkes, president of Crocker Spinal Technologies.
The BYU researchers report on the mechanism’s ability to facilitate natural spine movement in a study published in a forthcoming issue of the International Journal of Spine Surgery.
As a 73 year old hurry bring it on.
Test results show it behaves similarly to a healthy human disc… but for how long?
I am 76 years old and will have first refusal. You young ones will have to wait.
When will this be available to the general public? When will the treatment be available in the UK?
As someone who has a had a herniated disc removed, I can vouch for the need for this sooner rather than later! Seems amazing no-one has looked at this before, it’s a simple mechanical engineering problem in principle!
Hiram, you may be looking at this too objectively, but trust me if you experience chronic back pain you’d take this even it only has a life of 12 months. Most people suffering from chronic back pain would sell their soul for any relief period
This seems like it would be a good alternative to spinal fusion, but personally I would want to wait and see what additional studies say.
http://www.newsinferno.com/defective-medical-devices/medtronic-infuse-studies-faulted-for-downplaying-side-effects/38357
This certainly sounds like a fantastic way to go. OK, it may not be perfect, but the only treatments available at present are not that good either! It sounds like a good route to pursue, and I would be very keen to see it succeed. I agree with Anonymous in his comment to Hiram; if you suffer from back pain (once you damage your discs, the damage is permanent), you’ll understand why those of us who have are so keen to see a solution!!
Carol,
from your comment, you’ve never experienced chronic back pain !!
Could these be used for upper spinal problems such as the neck too? – these discs can also impinge on the nerves, causing the most debilitating pain.
I have been waiting since 1986 for a solution like this for 3 of my discs. Retiring cos of pain at the age of 44 and now nearly 60, I’ve been told here in UK that my next solution is a wheelchair. Can’t see how that will help as I can’t carry anything much just now!! Would be worth travelling to the USA to get it done! If it stops having to take all the painkillers etc etc.
I agree, that this sounds like a very good solution. When will it be available to the general public though? As I am suffering permanent severe and debilitating back pain due to spinal disc problems, I look forward to it – it has to be better than what I am suffering now.
Supposedly the device will outlive the patient. It uses the principles of compliant mechanisms to operate. I believe they will start trials in patients outside the US in the next year. It will take a while to be approved by the US FDA. Here is a link video if you’re interested.
http://www.ksl.com/?sid=20842154&nid=1012&title=byu-engineers-bring-big-changes-to-lower-back-pain-treatment&s_cid=featured-2
I’ve looked into this and I think it is the best thing on the market so far. It seems other disc replacements are just modified versions of hip replacements, with ball and socket joints. This becomes a problem because they wear over time and because there isn’t steady circulation in the back, those particles of plastic don’t get reabsorbed.
In response to the previous comment, here’s an even better clip. It shows the rolling motion of the disc.
http://crockerspinaltechnologies.com/FlexBAC/FlexBAC.html