Biodegradable Adhesive Anchors for Bone Fragment Stabilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current surgical adhesives for stabilizing bone fragments in traumatic craniomaxillofacial fractures face issues such as high water solubility, weak bond strength, slow or rapid curing times, and lack of biocompatibility, limiting their effectiveness in biomedical applications.

Innovation Solution

A method and device using an adhesive composition with a tackifying temperature of at least 40°C, which forms anchors on bone fragments and connects them via a biodegradable support structure, allowing for reversible softening and rapid hardening, and includes a heat transfer agent to facilitate quick cooling and bonding, while being non-water soluble and resistant to surface fouling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If current surgical adhesives are used to stabilize bone fragments, then the bonding process can be simplified, but the bond strength is weak and water solubility is high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebonding process simplicityVSAvoidbond strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive composition's physical and chemical parameters are optimized to achieve both high bond strength and low water solubility. The formulation includes specific polymers, fillers, and plasticizers in controlled proportions to create an adhesive that maintains structural integrity while providing strong bonding to bone surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The adhesive is formulated as a composite material containing polymer resins, inorganic fillers, plasticizers, and other additives. This composite structure provides enhanced mechanical properties including high bond strength, reduced water solubility, and improved flexibility for effective bone fragment stabilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of operation

If current surgical adhesives are used, then application can be simplified, but curing time is either too slow or too fast

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication simplicityVSAvoidcuring time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive application process utilizes periodic thermal cycling through the body's natural temperature variations and optional external heating. The adhesive is applied at ambient temperature for positioning, then cured by body heat or controlled heating to achieve optimal bonding speed without compromising application simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Ease of manufacture

If current surgical adhesives are used, then the bonding process can be simplified, but the adhesive lacks biocompatibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebonding process simplicityVSAvoidbiocompatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive composition is specifically formulated with biocompatible materials including medically approved polymers, fillers, and additives. The chemical composition parameters are controlled to ensure non-toxicity, non-allergenicity, and compatibility with bone tissue and bodily fluids, while maintaining effective bonding properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Strength

If current surgical adhesives require clean, dry surfaces for optimal performance, then bond strength can be maximized, but the workflow becomes difficult and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebond strengthVSAvoidworkflow difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive composition contains hydrophobic agents and surface-active components that enable it to self-adhere to bone surfaces regardless of moisture content. The adhesive automatically adjusts its bonding characteristics to work effectively on wet, dry, or contaminated surfaces without requiring extensive surface preparation, thereby maintaining high bond strength while simplifying the surgical workflow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 strong, biocompatible, and efficient bonding of bone fragments, enabling effective stabilization and healing of fractures without the need for additional fixation devices, while maintaining stability under various environmental conditions.

Implementation Method 1

heating an adhesive composition to form a softened adhesive composition and contacting the softened adhesive composition to the first bone fragment, and permitting the softened adhesive composition to cool to form the first anchor affixed to the first bone fragment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal softening and hardening: Melting

Implementation Method 2

the adhesive composition includes an inorganic particulate additive heat transfer agent... permits the softened adhesive composition to cool and harden in 120 seconds or less

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS20230001044A1Adhesive devices and uses thereof

Publication Date: 2023.01.05 COHESYS INC

AI summary

The invention features adhesive devices for holding objects (e.g., bone fragments) fixed with respect to each other.