Integrated Bone Stabilizer and Magnetic Stimulator Implant
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bone implants either introduce additional foreign objects and increase surgery time or require patient compliance and distance their electromagnetic stimulation from the bone healing site, leading to weakened field effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A dual-function bone stabilizer and stimulator implant with a fixation body incorporating a rare earth magnet or electric current source to generate a magnetic field adjacent the bone, minimizing foreign objects and enhancing bone growth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If an implanted stimulator is used to provide electromagnetic field stimulation, then the electromagnetic field is positioned close to the bone healing site, but additional foreign objects are introduced and surgery time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the bone stabilization function and electromagnetic field generation function into a single implant device. The stabilization component provides mechanical support while the electromagnetic field generator is integrated into the same implant structure, eliminating the need for separate stimulator devices and reducing the number of foreign objects in the patient's body.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant device performs multiple functions simultaneously: mechanical stabilization of the bone and generation of electromagnetic fields for stimulation. This multi-functional design allows a single device to address both stabilization and stimulation requirements, reducing overall device complexity compared to using separate single-function devices.
2Ease of operation
If an external bone stimulator is used, then patient compliance is required and electromagnetic field distance from bone healing site increases, but the device complexity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the stabilization and stimulation functions into a single implantable device, eliminating the need for external stimulators that require patient compliance. The electromagnetic field generator is positioned within the implant structure itself, ensuring close proximity to the bone healing site without requiring external device placement or patient cooperation.
3Reliability
If multiple separate implants are used for stabilization and stimulation, then both functions are achieved, but surgery time and potential complications increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple implant functions into a single integrated device, allowing both stabilization and stimulation to be achieved through one surgical procedure. This eliminates the need for multiple separate implantations, reducing surgery time and the associated risks of multiple surgical interventions while maintaining both stabilization and stimulation effectiveness.
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 implant provides effective bone stabilization and stimulation, reducing surgery time, complications, and patient compliance while positioning the electromagnetic field close to the bone healing site for enhanced healing.
Implementation Method 1
rare earth magnet in fixed position within the implantable fixation body, disposed within the at least one cavity in such a way that at least one polar end of the rare earth magnet is: (1) oriented in alignment with the opening; and (2) in face-to-face proximate or contacting relationship with the bone, (3) the rare earth magnet being adapted to produce a static magnetic field for bone growth stimulation
Implementation Method 2
The electromagnetic field generator may be an electric current source, such as a battery, or a magnet, preferably made from a rare earth metal, such as neodymium iron boron
Data Source
AI summary
A dual function bone implant provides both stabilization and stimulation for bone healing. The implant includes a fixation or stabilization hardware body, with an electromagnetic field generator mounted in or on the body. The hardware body stabilizes the bone, while the electromagnetic field generator stimulates bone growth and fusion by producing an electromagnetic field at the bone site.