Abrasion-Resistant Nanostructures With Partial Embedding for Implants

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing nanostructures on implant surfaces are prone to abrasion and detachment, losing their effectiveness over time due to insufficient adhesion, which is a challenge in extending implant lifespan and ensuring biocompatibility and preventing bacterial infections.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a two-step process where a nanostructure is first applied to the surface and then permanently bonded using an embedding layer, which grows into and out of the surface, providing mechanical anchoring and abrasion resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a nanostructure is applied to the surface of an implant, then the surface properties (bactericidal, anti-adhesive effects) are improved, but the adhesion strength and abrasion resistance of the nanostructure deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface propertiesVSAvoidadhesion strength
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

An embedding layer is introduced as an intermediary between the nanostructure and the implant surface. This embedding layer chemically converts from the base body material and mechanically anchors the nanostructure through interlocking, while the nanostructure remains on the surface to provide bactericidal and anti-adhesive effects. The embedding layer thus mediates between the conflicting requirements of surface functionality and mechanical adhesion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The nanostructure is partially embedded within the embedding layer, creating a nested configuration where the embedding layer surrounds and anchors the base of the nanostructure while leaving the functional surface properties exposed. This nesting approach allows the nanostructure to maintain its surface functionality while being mechanically secured by the embedding layer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If a nanostructure is applied to the surface, then the biocompatibility and bacterial resistance are improved, but the nanostructure detaches under mechanical stress

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovebiocompatibilityVSAvoidnanostructure stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The embedding layer serves as a stable intermediary that chemically bonds to both the base body and the nanostructure. Through chemical conversion processes, the embedding layer creates a stable mechanical anchor that prevents nanostructure detachment while preserving the biocompatible surface properties of the nanostructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The embedding layer undergoes chemical conversion that changes its physical and chemical parameters, transforming from the base body material into a stable anchoring structure. This parameter change enables the embedding layer to provide both chemical bonding to the base body and mechanical interlocking with the nanostructure, ensuring long-term stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If an embedding layer is produced by chemical conversion with volume increase, then the mechanical anchoring is improved, but the process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical anchoringVSAvoidprocess complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The embedding layer is produced through chemical conversion of the base body material itself, utilizing the material's own chemical properties to create the anchoring structure. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate anchoring structures or complex assembly processes, as the base body material transforms into the embedding layer that mechanically anchors the nanostructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The chemical conversion process involves phase transitions where the base body material transforms into the embedding layer material with different volume and structural properties. This phase transition enables the material to increase in volume and create the mechanical interlocking structure needed for anchoring, while being achieved through a controlled chemical process rather than mechanical means.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

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 method ensures that the nanostructure remains firmly attached, maintaining its surface properties such as bactericidal and anti-adhesive effects, even under mechanical stress, thereby enhancing implant durability and reducing the need for replacement.

Implementation Method 1

The deposition of the embedding layer can be effected in particular by means of a chemical conversion of an uppermost material layer of the carrier body, ie the embedding layer can be produced by means of a chemical conversion of an uppermost material layer of the carrier body, in particular with an increase in volume.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical conversion:

Data Source

PatentEP4552660B1Method for producing an abrasion-resistant nanostructure, support body comprising such a nanostructure and associated use
Publication Date: 2025.10.08 NANOSHAPE GMBH
  • EP4552660B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4552660B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4552660B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A method for producing an abrasion-resistant nanostructure (40) on a surface (5) of a carrier body (2) is proposed in order to permanently provide the carrier body (2) with advantageous surface effects. The method can be used in particular to permanently anchor nanostructures (40) to a surface (5) of a permanent or temporary implant in an abrasion-resistant manner. For this purpose, in a first process step A, the nanostructure (40) is initially applied to the surface (5) or produced or grown on it. In a subsequent process step B, the nanostructure (40) produced in step A is then permanently and abrasion-resistantly bonded to the surface (5) by means of a separate embedding layer (20). For this purpose, the embedding layer (20) is produced separately from the already produced nanostructure (40) on, in particular on and/or in, the surface (5).The embedding layer (20) only partially covers the nanostructure (40), so that surface properties of the nanostructure (40) can be at least partially preserved. At the same time, the embedding layer (20) anchors the nanostructure (40) to the surface (5), whereby the embedding layer (20) can grow into the support body (2), in particular through the nanostructure (40) (see Figure 2).