Biodegradable Composite Bone Implant via Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for treating bone fractures and fortifying bones, such as external stabilizers and internal implants, face limitations including interference with daily activities, tissue atrophy, invasive procedures, and inadequate tensile strength, particularly with brittle materials that can lead to catastrophic failure.

Innovation Solution

A novel composite implant comprising a containment bag, reinforcing elements, and an injectable matrix material, which is assembled in situ using a minimally invasive approach, providing customizable mechanical properties and toughness to support bone fractures or augmentation with minimal patient inconvenience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If external stabilizers (casts, braces) are used to support bone fractures, then the bone is stabilized during healing, but the patient's daily activities are interfered with and soft tissue atrophies

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebone stabilizationVSAvoiddaily activities

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The implant system is divided into separate components: a delivery device, a containment bag, and reinforcing elements that can be inserted independently through a minimally invasive approach, allowing bone stabilization without restricting daily activities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The containment bag acts as an intermediary between the reinforcing elements and the bone, providing a barrier that protects surrounding tissues while allowing the reinforcing elements to be delivered minimally invasively through the bag

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If internal stabilizers (screws, bone plates, intramedullary nails) are used to support bone fractures, then the bone is stabilized effectively, but invasive surgical procedures are required and additional trauma is caused

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebone stabilizationVSAvoidsurgical trauma

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The containment bag serves as a mediator that enables minimally invasive delivery of reinforcing elements through a small incision, avoiding the need for large surgical incisions and extensive tissue dissection required by traditional internal stabilizers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces traditional mechanical internal stabilizers (screws, plates, nails) with a composite material system consisting of reinforcing elements embedded in a biodegradable polymer matrix, delivered through a minimally invasive approach

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Strength

If brittle materials are used for bone reinforcement, then the bone is fortified, but catastrophic failure occurs with shard creation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebone fortificationVSAvoidfailure resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses composite materials consisting of reinforcing elements (metal or ceramic) embedded in a biodegradable polymer matrix, combining the strength of the reinforcement elements with the toughness and ductility of the polymer to prevent catastrophic failure and shard creation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The polymer matrix is designed with specific mechanical properties (toughness, ductility) that change the failure mode from brittle fracture to ductile deformation, allowing the material to absorb energy and deform before failing, thereby preventing catastrophic shard creation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Strength

If traditional composite materials are used, then strength is improved, but brittleness increases and failure is catastrophic

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial strengthVSAvoidmaterial toughness

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses a composite structure where reinforcing elements provide strength while the biodegradable polymer matrix provides toughness and ductility, creating a material that is both strong and resistant to catastrophic failure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The composite structure assigns different functional qualities to different components: the reinforcing elements provide localized strength where needed, while the polymer matrix provides localized toughness and energy absorption, creating an optimized material properties distribution

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS20210308264A1Method and apparatus for treating bone fractures, and/or for fortifying and/or augmenting bone, including the provision and use of composite implants, and novel composite structures which may be used for medical and non-medical applications

Publication Date: 2021.10.07 206 ORTHO

AI summary

A composite comprising: a barrier, said barrier being configured to selectively pass water, and said barrier being degradable in the presence of water; a matrix material for disposition within said barrier, wherein said matrix material has a flowable state and a set state, and wherein said matrix material is degradable in the presence of water; and at least one reinforcing element for disposition within said barrier and integration with said matrix material, wherein said at least one reinforcing element is degradable in the presence of water, and further wherein, upon the degradation of said at least one reinforcing element in the presence of water, provides an agent for modulating the degradation rate of said matrix material in the presence of water.