Bone Screw with Fluid Delivery Channels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for delivering therapeutic materials with bone screws lack control over location and amount, leading to weak fixation sites, especially in bones weakened by conditions like osteoporosis, and can result in improper placement and injury, particularly in the spinal cord region.

Innovation Solution

A device with a shaft and sleeve system that allows controlled delivery of tissue reinforcement materials, featuring a shaft with a lumen and angled apertures for precise dispersion of materials like calcium phosphate or hydroxyapatite, enhancing bone matrix integrity and fixation by creating a larger chamber and minimizing application pressure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If bone cement is injected through a pilot hole before screw insertion, then the bone site hardens to strengthen fixation, but control over location and amount of cement is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixation strengthVSAvoidcement placement control

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The screw shaft is segmented with multiple apertures distributed along its length, allowing cement to be delivered at multiple controlled locations rather than through a single pilot hole. This segmentation enables precise control over cement placement while maintaining fixation strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The screw shaft acts as an intermediary delivery system, incorporating channels and apertures that mediate between the cement source and the bone matrix. This intermediary structure provides controlled delivery of cement directly to the fixation site, eliminating the need for separate pilot hole injection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If bone cement is applied to strengthen fixation, then fixation site hardens, but improper placement may cause injury to nearby tissues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixation strengthVSAvoidtissue injury risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The screw shaft incorporates apertures and channels at specific locations along its length, delivering cement locally only where needed for fixation. This localized delivery system prevents improper placement near sensitive tissues while maintaining fixation strength at the appropriate bone sites.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If bone cement is used to repair fractured bone, then fixation is provided, but it does not address pre-existing conditions like osteoporosis

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixation strengthVSAvoidaddressing underlying bone conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The screw shaft is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a mechanical fixation device and as a delivery system for therapeutic materials. The apertures and channels enable delivery of bone graft or other therapeutic agents that can address underlying conditions like osteoporosis, while the screw provides mechanical fixation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS7608097B2Bone screw with fluid delivery structure

Publication Date: 2009.10.27 MILLENNIUM MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES INC

AI summary

A device and method to mechanically strengthen bone matrix and deliver tissue reinforcement material to weakened areas in skeletal structures. A preferred embodiment is an orthopedic screw configured to receive and directionally disperse a therapeutic fluid through the screw's channels and apertures.