Bioresorbable Scaffold Transforming at Body Temperature
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing implantable 3D scaffolds for bone regeneration require heating above the glass transition temperature of the polymer, which can cause heat damage to the surgical site and limit their usability with cells during bone surgery.
Innovation Solution
A porous composite material with an overall porosity of 60-80%, featuring irregularly shaped pores of 200-500 µm and connected channels wider than 5 µm, made from biodegradable and bioabsorbable organic polymer and bioactive particles. This material can be modified by immersion in a fluid or warming at 25-40 °C, allowing for reduced stiffness, increased elastic recovery, and exposure of bioactive particles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If scaffolds are heated above glass transition temperature for transformation and insertion, then material becomes suitable for shaping and insertion, but heat damage occurs to the surgical site and cell viability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter from high temperature (above Tg, typically 70°C or higher) to low temperature (25-40°C) transformation. This is achieved by modifying the polymer composition and physical state of the scaffold material, allowing it to become moldable at body temperature or slightly above, eliminating the need for high-temperature heating during surgery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the thermal field (heating above Tg) with a mechanical field approach. The scaffold is pre-formed with a specific structure that allows it to be compressed and shaped mechanically at low temperatures, then expands to its final shape upon insertion, eliminating thermal damage while achieving the same transformation goal.
2Reliability
If pure ceramic porous materials are used for bone substitution, then bioactivity is achieved, but brittleness prevents easy shaping and packing performance is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials combining organic polymer matrix with inorganic ceramic particles. This composite structure provides the bioactivity of ceramics while the polymer matrix provides flexibility, ease of shaping, and improved packing performance. The combination allows the material to be molded intraoperatively while maintaining osteoconductivity and osteoinductivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different properties to different parts of the material: the polymer matrix provides flexibility and processability, while the dispersed ceramic particles provide bioactivity and mechanical strength. This local differentiation of properties allows the material to simultaneously achieve ease of operation and biological reliability.
3Strength
If rigid composite bone grafts are used for structural support, then mechanical strength is provided, but inability to adapt to defect shape and poor interface formation with native tissue occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic properties to the scaffold, allowing it to change from a rigid pre-formed state to a moldable state during insertion, then stabilize in the final shape. This dynamic behavior enables the scaffold to adapt to various defect geometries while maintaining structural support, achieving both strength and adaptability.
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 modified porous composite material can be effectively shaped and inserted into bone defects at lower temperatures, reducing the risk of heat damage and enabling better integration with cells for enhanced bone regeneration.
Implementation Method 1
immersing the porous composite material into a fluid
Implementation Method 2
heating at 25-40 C°
Implementation Method 3
transformation and insertion into bone defects requires heating the materials above their glass transition temperatures
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 5a~5b
AI summary
The present invention relates to porous composite materials and objects such as 3D scaffolds, in particular to bioactive and bioresorbable scaffolds that can be transformed at body temperature.