Percutaneous Bone Conduction Implant Anti-Microbial Coating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Percutaneous bone conduction implants face challenges with infection and inflammation due to bacterial colonization at the skin-implant interface, primarily caused by micro-leakage gaps between the fixture and abutment components.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a percutaneous bone conduction implant with an anti-microbial surface coating on the fixture-abutment assembly, combined with a mechanically tight fit and surface modifications to reduce shear modulus, minimizes micro-leakage and enhances integration with surrounding tissue, thereby reducing bacterial colonization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a percutaneous bone conduction implant is used to transmit sound vibrations to the skull, then hearing capability is improved, but the risk of infection and inflammation increases due to bacterial colonization at the skin-implant interface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by incorporating an anti-microbial coating on the fixture and abutment surfaces before implantation. This coating proactively prevents bacterial colonization at the skin-implant interface, addressing the infection risk before it can occur during the healing period.
Solution Approach 2:
The anti-microbial coating acts as an intermediary layer between the implant surfaces and the surrounding biological environment. This intermediate layer specifically targets and neutralizes bacterial colonization while allowing the implant to maintain its mechanical function and integration with bone and skin tissues.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the fixture and abutment are connected to form a sealed assembly, then bacterial colonization is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase to minimize micro-leakage gaps
Solution Approach 1:
The anti-microbial coating provides preliminary protection that compensates for potential micro-leakage gaps. Even if small gaps exist between the fixture and abutment, the coating on these surfaces prevents bacterial penetration through the gaps, reducing the stringency of manufacturing precision requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the surface properties of the fixture and abutment by applying an anti-microbial coating. This parameter change modifies the surface characteristics to be bacteria-resistant, which allows for more tolerant manufacturing tolerances while maintaining the sealed environment necessary to prevent infection.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the anti-microbial coating is applied to interior surfaces of the fixture-abutment assembly, then bacterial growth is minimized, but the coating may degrade if exposed to the surrounding environment
Solution Approach 1:
The anti-microbial coating is selectively applied to specific interior surfaces of the fixture and abutment where bacterial contact is most likely to occur. This localized application ensures maximum protection at critical interfaces while minimizing the total coating surface area exposed to degrading environmental factors.
Solution Approach 2:
The coating serves as a protective intermediary layer on interior surfaces that are potentially exposed to the surrounding environment. This intermediary layer prevents direct contact between environmental degradation factors and the coating, thereby maintaining coating potency over the implant's service life.
Data Source
AI summary
One embodiment relates to a percutaneous bone conduction implant. The implant includes a fixture configured to be anchored in the recipient's skull, and a skin-penetrating abutment configured to interface with the fixture and to permit the abutment to be removably attached to the fixture to form a fixture-abutment assembly. In an embodiment, at least one anti-microbial surface forms one or more surfaces of the formed fixture-abutment assembly located in an interior of the formed fixture-abutment assembly when the fixture is removably attached to the abutment with an abutment screw. The interior is substantially isolated from a surrounding environment of the fixture-abutment assembly.