Sliceable Bone Repair Scaffold with Hydrogel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bone repair materials face challenges in effectively treating large bone defects due to limited osteoconductive and osteoinductive properties, migration issues, and brittleness upon rehydration, particularly in synthetic ceramic materials used in orthopedics and oral surgery.
Innovation Solution
A sliceable bone repair material comprising a porous block-shaped scaffold with a hydrogel formed by Michael type addition of precursor molecules, where the hydrogel is evenly distributed within interconnected macropores of the scaffold, providing a total porosity of 60 to less than 80% and a water content of over 80% by weight, allowing for excellent osteoconductive and osteoinductive properties while maintaining stability and ease of handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If synthetic ceramic materials are used for bone repair, then material stability is improved, but osteoconductive and osteoinductive properties deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines synthetic ceramic scaffold material with hydrogel to create a composite bone repair material that achieves both stability and biological activity. The ceramic provides structural stability while the hydrogel phase provides osteoconductive and osteoinductive properties through its water content and biochemical composition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of the ceramic material by incorporating hydrogel phases with specific water content (60-80% by weight) and porosity characteristics, transforming the material from purely ceramic to a composite with enhanced biological properties while maintaining structural stability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If granular bone repair material is applied, then adaptability to different defect sizes is improved, but material migration and encapsulation worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the bone repair material into a block form with internal macroporous structure, allowing the material to be cut and shaped intraoperatively while maintaining structural integrity that prevents migration and encapsulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a dynamic balance between the block's external structural integrity (preventing migration) and internal porosity (allowing adaptability). The material can be mechanically adapted to fit different defect sizes while the interconnected macropores allow tissue ingrowth and prevent encapsulation.
3Reliability
If block-shaped bone augmentation material is used, then prevention of migration is improved, but ease of shaping deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent prepares the bone repair material in a pre-formed block shape with optimized macroporous structure before surgery, ensuring migration prevention, while allowing intraoperative shaping through the hydrogel's mechanical properties that enable cutting and adaptation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the hydrogel's specific mechanical properties (water content 60-80%, specific porosity) that allow the material to be easily cut and shaped with standard surgical instruments while maintaining structural integrity that prevents migration.
4Reliability
If hydrogel is added to ceramic scaffold, then osteoconductive properties are improved, but brittleness upon rehydration worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the hydrogel content parameters (60-80% by weight) and porosity characteristics to achieve a balance where sufficient hydrogel provides osteoconductive properties while the ceramic scaffold maintains structural strength and prevents brittleness upon rehydration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure where the ceramic scaffold provides mechanical strength and structural integrity, while the hydrogel phase provides osteoconductive properties. The composite architecture prevents the brittleness that would occur if hydrogel alone were used, while maintaining the biological activity needed for bone regeneration.
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 material exhibits enhanced osteoconductive and osteoinductive properties, facilitating cell integration, nutrient supply, and bone deposition, with improved stability and handling properties, reducing the risk of brittleness and migration, thus effectively guiding bone regeneration in large defects.
Implementation Method 1
Said hydrogel is formed by Michael type addition of at least two precursor molecules
Data Source
AI summary
Sliceable bone repair material is a porous block-shaped scaffold containing a hydrogel, wherein the hydrogel is formed by Michael type addition of at least two precursor molecules. Said scaffold is made of a synthetic ceramic material and has interconnected macropores having a diameter above 100 μm. In addition said scaffold has a total porosity of 60 to 80%. The total volume of the hydrogel is smaller than the total volume of the interconnected macropores.