Bone Implant Fastening with Anchored Pin Structures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for securing implants to bone tissue, such as bone cement and screws, face limitations including lack of osseointegration, limited primary stability, and additional space requirements, which can reduce the lifespan of joint implants and complicate universal application.
Innovation Solution
The development of an implant system with fastening structures on its bone-facing surface and pin-shaped fasteners anchored in the bone using thermoplastic materials and mechanical oscillation, allowing for a positive fit connection and osseointegration, minimizing surface structures for fastening and enabling secure attachment without extensive elaboration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If bone cement is used to secure the implant, then the implant can be fixed in the bone tissue, but osseointegration is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a specialized shaft or comb structure as an intermediary element between the implant and bone tissue. This shaft/comb provides mechanical interlocking through press-fit while maintaining direct bone-implant contact surfaces for osseointegration, thus mediating between the need for immediate fixation strength and long-term biological integration
Solution Approach 2:
The fixation system is segmented into multiple functional components: the implant body, the shaft/comb structure for mechanical interlocking, and bone contact surfaces for osseointegration. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function while working together to achieve both fixation strength and biological integration
2Strength
If screws are inserted through the implant into the bone, then the implant can be securely fastened, but friction points are created on the articulating surface reducing implant lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the screw fixation concept and replaces it with a shaft/comb structure that achieves mechanical interlocking without requiring through-bone screws. This eliminates the friction points on the articulating surface while maintaining secure fixation through the press-fit shaft or comb structure embedded in the bone
3Reliability
If press fit is used to secure the implant, then osseointegration can occur, but primary stability is limited requiring prolonged rest
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two fixation mechanisms into a single integrated shaft/comb structure: mechanical interlocking through press-fit for immediate primary stability, and osteointegration-promoting surfaces for long-term biological fixation. This combination allows both functions to work simultaneously, eliminating the need to choose between them
4Strength
If lateral securing is used to attach the implant, then fixation can be achieved, but additional space is required preventing universal application
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of securing the implant laterally from the sides (requiring additional space), the patent inverts the approach by securing the implant vertically through the shaft/comb structure that extends into the bone. This vertical integration eliminates the need for lateral space while maintaining strong fixation
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
This method enhances osseointegration, improves primary stability, reduces the need for additional space, and allows for secure attachment of implants to bone tissue, extending the lifespan of joint implants and facilitating universal application across various joint surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
fasteners (3), which, on a distal side, are equipped for being anchored in the bone tissue
Implementation Method 2
Each fastener is essentially assigned to one of the fastening structures and the fasteners are e.g. pin-shaped
Data Source
AI summary
An implant designed e.g. as a replacement for an articulating surface of a human or animal joint is secured to the bone tissue with the aid of a plurality of fasteners (3). The implant (2) comprises a bone side to be brought into contact with the bone tissue, which bone side is equipped with a plurality of fastening structures restricted to this bone side. The fasteners (3) comprise a distal and a proximal side, wherein the distal side is equipped for being anchored in bone tissue and the proximal side is equipped for being connected with one of the fastening structures of the implant (2). The distal sides of the fasteners (3) are anchored in the bone tissue of the appropriately prepared bone and the implant (2) is then attached to the anchored fasteners (3) by connecting the fastening structures with the proximal sides of the fasteners (3), wherein the implant (2) is pressed against the proximal sides of the anchored fasteners (3). The connection between fastening structures and proximal sides of the fasteners is a positive fit connection, a material fit connection and/or a force fit connection.