Bioabsorbable Nasal Implant Kit for Rhinoplasty

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current nasal reconstructive surgical procedures face challenges with the use of conventional spreader grafts, which require autologous cartilage harvesting, leading to donor site morbidity and increased pain, and non-absorbable implants pose risks of infection and extrusion, while existing bioabsorbable options lack versatility and long-term support for nasal tip stability.

Innovation Solution

A universal bioabsorbable nasal kit made from biocompatible polymers, allowing for customization and creation of various nasal implants such as spreader grafts, columellar struts, and septal extension grafts, which can be cut to different sizes and shapes, providing structural support and promoting tissue ingrowth without permanent foreign material.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional spreader grafts made from autologous cartilage are used, then structural support and nasal reconstruction are achieved, but donor site morbidity and surgical pain increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural supportVSAvoiddonor site morbidity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs bioabsorbable polymers that degrade over time after providing necessary structural support during the critical healing period. These temporary implants fulfill the structural support function without requiring permanent retention, eliminating donor site morbidity associated with autologous cartilage harvesting while avoiding long-term complications of permanent implants.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes polymers with controlled degradation rates and mechanical properties that change over time. The material provides high strength initially to support nasal reconstruction, then gradually degrades as tissue heals and regenerates, transforming from a permanent structural element to a temporary scaffold that disappears after serving its purpose.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Duration of action of stationary object

If non-absorbable spreader graft implants are used, then long-term structural support is provided, but risk of infection and extrusion increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelong-term supportVSAvoidinfection and extrusion risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The bioabsorbable implants are designed to be temporarily retained in the body to provide necessary structural support during healing, then naturally degraded and absorbed by the body over time. This eliminates the need for permanent foreign material that could cause infection or extrusion, while still providing adequate support during the critical period when tissue regeneration occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Quantity of substance

If autologous cartilage harvesting is performed, then graft material is obtained for reconstruction, but surgical time and patient pain increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegraft materialVSAvoidsurgical procedure time

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The bioabsorbable polymer acts as an intermediary material that replaces the need for autologous cartilage harvesting. It provides the necessary graft material function without requiring extraction from donor sites, thereby eliminating the additional surgical time and patient pain associated with cartilage harvesting procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Adaptability or versatility

If a universal bioabsorbable nasal kit is used, then versatility and customization are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomization capabilityVSAvoidkit structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent describes a universal kit containing bioabsorbable nasal implants that can be configured for multiple nasal reconstruction procedures. The kit includes components that can be assembled into different implant types (spreader grafts, columellar struts, septal extension grafts) using the same basic bioabsorbable material system, providing versatility without requiring multiple specialized implant inventories.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9949823B2Universal bioabsorbable nasal implant kit

Publication Date: 2018.04.24 ETHICON INC

AI summary

Novel bioabsorbable, universal kits used to form nasal implants are disclosed. The implants are useful in rhinoplasty and nasal reconstruction surgical procedures. The kit devices have a universal configuration and can be converted by the surgeon in the field into one or more individual nasal implant devices having different configurations and applications. The kits may have outlines of nasal implants thereon.