Biodegradable Bone Graft Substitute via Bioprinting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bone graft substitutes face challenges such as limited resources, risk of disease transmission, suboptimal pore sizes and mechanical properties, and non-biodegradability, which hinder effective bone regeneration and may lead to complications like fracture or residual material-induced infections.
Innovation Solution
A method using a mixture of calcium carbonate and tetracalcium phosphate with gelatin to create a biodegradable, three-dimensional printed bone graft substitute that mimics coralline hydroxyapatite, allowing controlled biodegradation and mechanical strength, using a bioprinting process to produce a scaffold with defined pore sizes and structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ceramic materials (hydroxyapatite, beta-tricalcium phosphate) are used for bone graft substitutes, then biocompatibility and osteoconductivity are improved, but mechanical brittleness and non-biodegradability worsen, risking fracture and stress forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials combining calcium carbonate (providing mechanical strength and brittleness resistance) with calcium phosphate ceramics (providing osteoconductivity and biocompatibility). This composite approach allows the bone graft substitute to achieve both mechanical strength and biological functionality, resolving the contradiction between reliability and strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters by incorporating calcium carbonate alongside calcium phosphate ceramics, changing the material properties to achieve optimal balance between mechanical strength and biocompatibility. The specific ratio and composition parameters are optimized to prevent fracture while maintaining osteoconductivity.
2Reliability
If coral is used as a bone graft substitute, then biocompatibility, osteoconductivity and biodegradability are improved, but availability and cost worsen due to limited supply and slow growth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a synthetic copy of coral's beneficial properties by using calcium carbonate-based materials that mimic coral's biocompatibility, osteoconductivity and biodegradability. Instead of relying on limited natural coral supply, the invention synthesizes materials with comparable biological performance, resolving the contradiction between reliability and availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs synthetic materials that can be manufactured abundantly and cost-effectively, replacing expensive and scarce natural coral. The synthetic bone graft substitutes are designed to be biodegradable, serving their purpose temporarily during bone regeneration, after which they are naturally resorbed, eliminating the need for long-term presence.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If deprotonation and defatting are applied to xenogenic bone grafts, then immunological response is reduced, but osteo-inductive capacity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the problematic organic components (proteins, fats) that cause immunological rejection in xenogenic bone grafts, while retaining the beneficial inorganic mineral structure that provides osteoinductivity. By removing only the harmful organic matter through decalcification and defatting processes, the invention resolves the contradiction between reducing immunological response and maintaining osteo-inductive capacity.
4Reliability
If porous structure is created in ceramic bone grafts, then bone regeneration is supported, but mechanical properties deteriorate due to brittleness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials where calcium carbonate provides mechanical strength and structural integrity, while calcium phosphate ceramics provide porosity and osteoconductivity. This composite structure allows the bone graft to maintain both mechanical properties and porous architecture for bone regeneration, resolving the contradiction between reliability and strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs porous material structures with controlled pore sizes and distributions that allow bone ingrowth while maintaining mechanical integrity. The porous architecture is optimized to provide pathways for bone regeneration without compromising the overall structural strength, resolving the contradiction between supporting bone regeneration and maintaining mechanical properties.
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 solution provides a biocompatible, non-toxic bone graft substitute that supports bone regeneration, is structurally viable for extended periods, and biodegrades without toxic residues, demonstrating enhanced osteoconductive potential and integration with host bone tissue.
Implementation Method 1
a binding material which comprises tetracalcium phosphate and calcium hydrogen phosphate that react in the presence of gelatin to provide a cement
Implementation Method 2
tetracalcium phosphate and calcium hydrogen phosphate that react in the presence of gelatin to provide a cement
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The invention concerns a method of making a synthetic, biodegradable, bone graft comprising a three-dimensional porous structure; a formulation of constituents for use in said method; a synthetic, biodegradable bone graft produced by said method; and a method of surgery comprising use of said bone graft.