Bioresorbable Implant System for Soft Tissue Regeneration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional implants for soft tissue reconstruction and augmentation are not biodegradable, leading to foreign body reactions, immunological complications, and the need for revision due to material aging and potential leakage.
Innovation Solution
A bioresorbable implant system comprising a geometrically stable capsule element with passage openings, designed to receive and encapsulate soft tissue, promoting tissue regeneration and gradual resorption, thereby eliminating the need for implant removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional non-biodegradable implants are used for soft tissue reconstruction, then structural stability and volume maintenance are achieved, but foreign body reactions, immunological complications, and need for revision surgery occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transitioning from non-biodegradable materials to bioresorbable materials with controlled degradation rates. The implant system uses polymers that gradually degrade over time (6-18 months) while maintaining structural integrity during the critical healing period, then safely resorb without causing chronic foreign body reactions or immunological complications
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements discarding and recovering by designing an implant system that is intentionally temporary. The bioresorbable capsule and internal structure are discarded after serving their purpose of maintaining volume and supporting tissue regeneration, with the material being safely metabolized and eliminated by the body, eliminating the need for removal surgery
2Reliability
If bioresorbable implants are used for small defects, then biodegradability is achieved, but volume-to-mass ratio becomes unfavorable and implants are excessively heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the implant into multiple functional components: an outer capsule, an internal lattice structure, and porous filling material. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while collectively achieving lightweight construction through the use of porous and lattice structures that reduce material density
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes porous materials throughout the implant structure, including the porous capsule wall and porous internal lattice. These porous structures dramatically reduce the overall density and weight of the implant while maintaining sufficient mechanical strength and providing pathways for tissue ingrowth and fluid exchange
3Stability of the object's composition
If non-bioresorbable implants are used, then structural integrity is maintained long-term, but material aging leads to leakage and necessitates revision surgery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by designing an implant system that transitions from a static, permanent structure to a dynamic, time-dependent system. The implant provides rigid structural support during the critical early healing phase, then gradually softens and resorbs as tissue regeneration progresses, with the degradation rate dynamically adjusted through material composition and structure design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by designing the implant to proactively degrade at predetermined rates based on pre-clinical testing and computational modeling. The degradation timeline is planned in advance to coincide with tissue regeneration milestones, ensuring structural integrity is maintained when needed while preventing leakage and failure associated with long-term material aging
4Shape
If geometrically stable capsule element is used, then soft tissue is properly contained and positioned, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the capsule element to perform multiple functions simultaneously: providing geometric containment for soft tissue, maintaining structural stability during healing, facilitating tissue ingrowth through porosity, and enabling controlled degradation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby managing complexity while achieving geometric stability
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 implant system effectively addresses the limitations of conventional implants by providing a biodegradable solution that supports tissue regeneration, reduces immunological reactions, and eliminates the need for revision surgeries.
Implementation Method 1
The capsule element is made of a bioresorbable material, in particular of a biodegradable polymer or a biodegradable polymer composite
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an implant system, comprising at least one bioresorbable enveloping element which is designed with passage openings and which defines a three-dimensional interior for receiving soft tissue. Furthermore, the implant system can have an inner element which is or can be arranged at least partially in the three-dimensional interior defined by the enveloping element and which has at least one guide structure for a cell migration. Moreover, the invention relates to a method for producing an implant system.