Biocompatible Joint Surface Repair via Liquid Injection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional surgical treatments for arthrosis in joints, such as hip or knee joints, often require extensive procedures that involve removing healthy bone tissue and result in prolonged convalescence and pain, as they affect large muscles and ligaments.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus and method using a biocompatible material in liquid form at elevated temperatures, delivered through a tube-shaped instrument to damaged joint surfaces, which solidifies and forms a resistant surface to replace worn-out areas, potentially aided by a flexible mould member to target specific joint surfaces with minimal tissue removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional surgical treatment is used to replace damaged joint surfaces, then the joint surface is replaced with a prosthesis, but healthy bone tissue is removed and the convalescence period is long

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejoint surface replacementVSAvoidhealthy bone tissue

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies different treatments to different areas: the damaged cartilaginous tissue is removed and replaced with a biocompatible material, while the healthy bone tissue is preserved. The biocompatible material is specifically placed only where needed to replace the worn joint surface, rather than replacing the entire joint structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical state of the biocompatible material from liquid to solid through temperature change. The material is injected in liquid form through a catheter and then solidifies in situ to form a durable joint surface replacement, avoiding the need for traditional prosthetic implantation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If traditional surgical treatment is used to replace damaged joint surfaces, then the joint surface is replaced with a prosthesis, but the convalescence period is long and pain is significant

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejoint surface replacementVSAvoidconvalescence period

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the mechanical prosthetic implantation system with a minimally invasive injection system. Instead of using large incisions and complex surgical instruments to implant prostheses, the invention uses a catheter to inject the biocompatible material, significantly reducing surgical trauma and recovery time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a flexible catheter to deliver the biocompatible material to the joint surface. The catheter can be navigated through small incisions to reach the target area, minimizing surgical trauma while ensuring accurate delivery of the replacement material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If traditional surgical treatment is used to replace damaged joint surfaces, then the joint surface is replaced with a prosthesis, but many ligaments and tendons are affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejoint surface replacementVSAvoidligaments and tendons

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the treatment approach: only the damaged cartilaginous tissue is removed and replaced, while the surrounding healthy structures including ligaments and tendons are left untouched. The biocompatible material is precisely placed only on the damaged joint surface, avoiding interference with adjacent soft tissues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

This approach minimizes the removal of healthy tissue, reduces convalescence time, and decreases pain by allowing for targeted joint surface repair with minimal incisions and preservation of surrounding musculature.

Implementation Method 1

The material is configured to assume a solid form under predefined conditions, and when in the solid form the material having a resistance to wear adapted to replace a worn out joint surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase change (liquid to solid): Phase Change

Implementation Method 2

the material being configured to assume a solid form under predefined conditions, and when in the solid form the material having a resistance to wear adapted to replace a worn out joint surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal damage to nerves: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS20230414378A1Apparatus and methods for treatment of arthrosis or osteoarthritis in a joint of a mammal or human patient

Publication Date: 2023.12.28 FORSELL PETER

AI summary

A proposed treatment of arthrosis/osteoarthritis in a joint of a mammal or human patient involves deposing a liquid material on at least one damaged surface of the joint. To accomplish this, a reservoir (110) is provided, which holds a volume of a biocompatible material in liquid form outside of a body containing the joint (J) to be treated. A proximal end (P) of a tub e-shaped instrument (120) is connected to the reservoir (110), and a distal end (D) of the instrument (120) is inserted into the joint (J). The liquid material is fed through the instrument (120) to the distal end (D) for deposition on the at least one damaged joint surface.The material is configured to assume a solid form under predefined conditions (e.g. when cooling off, or being exposed to a specific type of radiation). When the material has the solid form, it has a resistance to wear adapted to replace a worn out joint surface.