Bone Fixtures with Varying Static Strain for Osseointegration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current bone tissue fixtures face challenges in achieving optimal stability and osseointegration, as existing designs do not effectively utilize static strain to enhance the healing phase, and fail to account for individual patient-specific bone properties.

Innovation Solution

A set of fixtures with varying static strain characteristics, designed to apply controlled tensile strains exceeding the yield point of bone tissue, utilizing a threaded design with different radii to induce strain, allowing for patient-specific selection based on bone quality and anatomy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a fixture is installed in bone tissue to restore a damaged limb, then the fixture provides structural support and replacement function, but the stability and osseointegration during the healing phase is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixture stabilityVSAvoidhealing phase duration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-instressing the bone tissue through the fixture design before the healing process begins. The fixture is designed with specific geometric features (such as tapered sections, threaded portions with varying diameters, or pre-loaded spring elements) that generate initial compressive or tensile stresses in the surrounding bone tissue. This pre-application of stress prepares the bone tissue for better integration and stability during the subsequent healing phase, addressing the insufficient stability issue without extending the healing duration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter changes by varying the geometric parameters of the fixture to control the stress distribution in the bone tissue. By adjusting parameters such as thread pitch, diameter variations, taper angles, or material properties of the fixture, the stress field in the surrounding bone can be optimized. This allows the fixture to provide enhanced stability during healing by creating favorable stress conditions that promote osseointegration, while maintaining the healing phase within an acceptable time frame.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If the bone tissue is subjected to stress and strain during fixture installation to achieve stability, then the mechanical joint is improved, but the bone tissue may deform plastically beyond the yield point causing damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical joint strengthVSAvoidbone tissue damage
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating non-uniform stress distributions in the bone tissue through strategically designed fixture features. Different sections of the fixture (such as threaded portions, tapered sections, or localized protrusions) generate concentrated stresses in specific regions of the surrounding bone tissue. This localized stress application enhances the mechanical joint strength at critical interfaces while keeping the overall stress levels in other bone regions below the yield point, thereby preventing plastic deformation and tissue damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs partial or excessive action by applying stresses that locally exceed the yield point of bone tissue in controlled regions to achieve strong mechanical interlocking, while ensuring that the majority of the bone tissue remains within the elastic deformation range. For example, certain critical zones of the bone-fixture interface may be intentionally subjected to higher stresses to create favorable micromotion and stress shielding effects, while the overall fixture design ensures that the average stress remains below the damage threshold.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Reliability

If the fixture surface is provided with micro-roughened or blasted structures to increase contact surface, then the osseointegration is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveosseointegrationVSAvoidfixture surface structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the fixture surface into distinct functional zones with different surface characteristics. Instead of uniformly roughening the entire fixture surface, specific regions (such as the upper portion, lower portion, or intermediate sections) are selectively treated with different surface finishes. This segmented approach promotes osseointegration in critical areas while maintaining smoother surfaces in other regions, thereby reducing overall manufacturing complexity and avoiding the need for complex multi-step surface treatment processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses preliminary action by incorporating surface features directly into the fixture manufacturing process rather than applying post-manufacturing surface treatments. For example, the fixture may be designed with built-in micro-structures, ribs, or textured patterns that are formed during casting, forging, or additive manufacturing. This preliminary incorporation of surface features eliminates the need for separate roughening or blasting operations, reducing device complexity while still achieving the desired osseointegration效果.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Reliability

If a set of fixtures with different static strain characteristics is provided for patient-specific selection, then the initial stability during healing is improved, but the device complexity and selection process increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinitial stabilityVSAvoidpatient-specific customization
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing a fixture system where a single fixture design can serve multiple functions and adapt to different patient conditions. The fixture incorporates adjustable or modular features (such as interchangeable components, variable stiffness sections, or adaptable surface treatments) that allow it to provide appropriate static strain characteristics for different bone qualities and patient requirements. This universal design approach eliminates the need for maintaining separate fixture variants for different patients, thereby reducing device complexity while still achieving patient-specific optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs dynamics by incorporating features that allow the fixture to adapt its mechanical properties after installation. For example, the fixture may include stress-relief mechanisms, progressive deformation elements, or adjustable locking features that enable it to modify the static strain applied to the bone tissue based on the actual healing progress and patient-specific conditions. This dynamic adaptability allows a single fixture design to provide optimal initial stability across different patient populations without requiring extensive customization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 enhanced stability and osseointegration by applying controlled static strains, improving the healing phase and initial fixture stability, with increased removal torque and prolonged stress maintenance in the bone tissue.

Implementation Method 1

a female thread in the bone tissue and wherein the fixture comprises a threaded portion having threads adapted to engage with the female thread in the bone tissue

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThreaded engagement: Screw

Implementation Method 2

a radius which is larger than the first radius r, wherein the threaded portion, when rotated into the bone via the female thread, applies a radial pressure to the bone

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadial pressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP2696795B1A set of fixtures
Publication Date: 2018.05.23 DENTSPLY IH AB
  • EP2696795B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2696795B1 patent drawingFigure 3a
  • EP2696795B1 patent drawingFigure 3b

AI summary

The present invention relates to a set of fixtures for installation, in bone tissue. Each fixture provides a static strain to the bone which is different from the static strain provided by the other fixtures of the set. The difference in static strain may be at least with respect to magnitude and/or axial extension, The invention also relates to an implantation system and a method of selecting a fixture from a set of fixtures.