Anhydrous Bone Graft Composite for Gamma-Sterile Degradation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing biodegradable polymeric materials used as carriers for granular synthetic materials in bone regeneration are not resistant to gamma-radiation, have undesirable degradation rates, and lose osteoinductive properties due to moisture exposure, affecting their effectiveness and handling characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A biodegradable polymeric material composed of block copolymers with hydrophilic and hydrophobic blocks, specifically designed to maintain anhydrous conditions, is developed to ensure resistance to gamma-radiation, appropriate degradation rates, and preserve osteoinductive properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If biodegradable polymeric materials are used as carriers for granular synthetic materials, then the materials can be rapidly degraded at the site of application, but they are not resistant to gamma-radiation and have undesirable degradation rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the polymeric material by incorporating specific ratios of hydrophilic and hydrophobic blocks, and by adding calcium phosphate ceramics, to achieve both gamma-radiation resistance and controlled degradation rate simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system combining polymeric blocks with different properties (hydrophilic and hydrophobic) and calcium phosphate ceramics, where each component contributes specific functions: the hydrophobic blocks provide gamma-radiation resistance, the hydrophilic blocks enable degradation control, and the ceramics provide osteoinductivity
2Ease of operation
If the polymeric material is exposed to moisture during storage, then it maintains flexibility, but it loses osteoinductive properties of the granular synthetic material
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary protection by creating an anhydrous environment during storage using desiccants and sealed packaging, preventing moisture exposure before it can damage the osteoinductive properties, while still allowing the material to be flexible when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an inert anhydrous environment by excluding moisture through desiccants and hermetic sealing, preserving the osteoinductive properties of the granular synthetic material during storage and transport
3Productivity
If the polymeric material degrades too rapidly, then it releases granular synthetic material quickly, but it loses mechanical stability and handling characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a dynamic system where the degradation rate is controlled to change over time, maintaining mechanical stability in the early phase while enabling progressive degradation and granular material release in later phases, achieving both strength and productivity requirements
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 anhydrous biocompatible composite material effectively supports bone regeneration by maintaining osteoinductive properties and degrading within the desired timeframe, while being resistant to gamma-radiation, ensuring effective bone tissue formation and handling stability.
Implementation Method 1
maintain anhydrous conditions, is developed to ensure resistance to gamma-radiation
Implementation Method 2
A biodegradable polymeric material composed of block copolymers with hydrophilic and hydrophobic blocks
Implementation Method 3
degrading within the desired timeframe
Implementation Method 4
prolonged aqueous conditions may affect the micro- and submicro-structure of the surface of the material and the reconstruction properties of the granular synthetic materials may be lost. Hence, for the reconstructive properties of the granular synthetic material is important that its surface structure remains intact during e.g. storage of the material. It is therefore preferred that the composition of granular synthetic material and biodegradable polymeric material is anhydrous.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is directed to biocompatible composite materials for medical applications such as tissue regeneration. In particular, the present invention is directed to biocompatible composite materials that may be used for the treatment of lost bone or bone defects. According to the invention there is provided an anhydrous biocompatible composite material comprising a biodegradable polymeric material and a granular synthetic material, wherein the polymeric material essentially consists of at least one block copolymer that comprises at least one hydrophilic block and at least one hydrophobic block.