Braided Bone Connection Material with X-Ray Opaque Core

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional bone connection materials, such as titanium and steel, are rigid and inelastic, causing joint obstruction, while biodegradable options like polylactic acid and hydroxylapatite are brittle and unsuitable for areas with frequent movement, and existing composite materials lack an X-ray opaque core enclosed by a shell layer for enhanced flexibility and compatibility.

Innovation Solution

A bone connection material comprising a braided internal layer with an X-ray opaque core made of bioinert material and a hydroxylapatite or tricalcium phosphate shell layer, optionally covered with a thermoplastic or thermosetting resin and collagen, providing flexibility and promoting bone healing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If titanium or steel is used to make bone screws and bone plates, then strength and rigidity are improved, but flexibility and elasticity deteriorate, causing joint obstruction

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestrengthVSAvoidflexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite filaments combining PTFE (providing flexibility and elasticity) with hydroxylapatite or tricalcium phosphate (providing bone compatibility and strength). This composite structure resolves the contradiction by integrating materials with complementary properties, allowing the bone connection material to simultaneously achieve both strength and flexibility that neither material could provide alone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If polylactic acid and hydroxylapatite are used to make bone connection material, then biocompatibility is improved, but brittleness increases, causing cracking under external force

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovebiocompatibilityVSAvoidstrength
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines biodegradable hydroxylapatite or tricalcium phosphate with non-biodegradable PTFE in a composite filament structure. The PTFE provides mechanical strength and crack resistance, while the hydroxylapatite or tricalcium phosphate ensures biocompatibility and bone integration. This composite approach overcomes the brittleness of biodegradable materials while maintaining their biocompatibility advantages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Strength

If metallic materials are used for bone connection, then strength is improved, but allergic reactions and body rejection increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestrengthVSAvoidallergic reaction
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material composition parameters by using PTFE and hydroxylapatite/tricalcium phosphate instead of metallic materials. PTFE is known for its excellent biocompatibility and resistance to allergic reactions, while hydroxylapatite and tricalcium phosphate are bone-compatible materials that promote osseointegration. This parameter change eliminates the allergic reaction problem associated with metals while maintaining structural strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Object-affected harmful factors

If biodegradable materials are used for bone connection, then biocompatibility is improved, but durability deteriorates, requiring frequent replacement

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovebiocompatibilityVSAvoiddurability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite filament where biodegradable hydroxylapatite or tricalcium phosphate is combined with non-biodegradable PTFE. The PTFE component provides long-term structural support and durability, while the hydroxylapatite or tricalcium phosphate component ensures biocompatibility and eventual biodegradation. This composite structure allows the material to maintain durability while preserving the biocompatibility benefits of biodegradable materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP2898906B1Bone connection material
Publication Date: 2019.11.13 LU LUKE
  • EP2898906B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2898906B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2898906B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides a bone connection material (1) that includes an internal layer (10). The internal layer (10) is formed by braiding a plurality of filaments (11). The internal layer (10) that is formed by braiding filaments (11) is resistant to lateral shearing forces and may provide flexibility so as to achieve wide applications. Further, the present invention overcomes the drawback of the conventionally used metallic materials that are rigid and inelastic and also overcomes the problem of polylactic acid material of being brittle. Thus, the bone formed according to the present invention is close to a natural bone and is more suitable for uses in portions where frequent movements are made and scaffolds of stem cells.