Bone Graft Cage with Integrated Fluid Dispersion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bone grafts often fail to integrate properly into mandible defects due to lack of containment and inadequate blood supply, leading to incomplete healing, especially in larger defects where central regions may not regenerate.
Innovation Solution
A bone graft containment device with a mesh body and integrated fluid delivery structure, featuring a central tubular member and laterally extending tubular member with openings, allows for external blood supply to be dispersed directly to the graft material, promoting vascularization and bone growth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If bone grafts are placed in the target area without a container, then the placement procedure is simple, but the graft may fall away from the target site before incorporation
Solution Approach 1:
The containment device is designed as a segmented mesh structure with multiple struts forming a cage-like configuration. This segmentation allows the device to be inserted as separate components that assemble into a containment structure, maintaining procedural simplicity while providing reliable graft retention through the mesh architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid delivery structure is nested within the containment device channel, with the central tubular member positioned inside the mesh body. This nested configuration allows both structures to be integrated without increasing overall device complexity, providing both containment and fluid delivery functions simultaneously.
2Volume of stationary object
If larger bone defects are treated with bone grafts, then more extensive bone loss can be addressed, but the central regions may not regenerate due to inadequate blood supply
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid delivery structure acts as an intermediary system that bridges the external blood supply to the graft material. The central tubular member with lateral openings delivers blood directly to the central regions of the graft that would otherwise be inaccessible, enabling regeneration in large defects by providing the necessary vascular supply.
Solution Approach 2:
The device utilizes hydraulic principles by delivering fluid (blood) through a tubular structure to the graft material. The fluid delivery system uses pressure-driven flow to transport blood through the central tubular member and discharge it through lateral openings into the graft, ensuring adequate blood supply to central regions.
3Reliability
If a mesh containment device with fluid delivery structure is used, then blood supply to graft material is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The containment device and fluid delivery structure are merged into a single integrated assembly. The fluid delivery structure is positioned within the channel of the mesh body, combining the containment function and fluid delivery function into one device. This merging provides reliable blood supply without requiring separate containment and delivery systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The mesh containment device serves multiple functions: it provides structural containment for the graft material, defines a channel for fluid delivery structure placement, and works in conjunction with the fluid delivery system to provide both mechanical support and vascular supply. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate devices.
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 device effectively maintains graft material in place and ensures consistent blood supply, enhancing bone healing by encouraging growth and integration in target areas, including larger defects.
Implementation Method 1
the central tubular member including a plurality of openings extending laterally through a wall thereof, so that, when the fluid receiving opening is connected to an external fluid source, fluid is passed through the laterally extending tubular member and the central tubular member to be dispersed to a graft material packed within the channel via the plurality of openings
Data Source
AI summary
A bone graft containment device includes a body extending longitudinally from a first end to a second end. The body includes a channel extending longitudinally therethrough. The device also includes a fluid delivery structure received within the channel. The fluid delivery structure includes a central tubular member extending along a length of the channel and a laterally extending tubular member extending laterally from the central tubular member to a fluid receiving opening. The central tubular member includes a plurality of openings extending laterally through a wall thereof, so that, when the fluid receiving opening is connected to an external fluid source, fluid is passed through the laterally extending tubular member and the central tubular member to be dispersed to a graft material packed within the channel via the plurality of openings.