Braided Bone Connection Material Resolving Strength Flexibility Trade-off
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bone connection materials like titanium and steel are rigid and inelastic, causing joint obstruction, while materials like polylactic acid and hydroxylapatite are brittle and unsuitable for areas with frequent movements.
Innovation Solution
A bone connection material comprising a braided internal layer of bioactive glass fibers or bioinert glass fibers, encased in a biocompatible thermoplastic or thermosetting resin covering layer, which includes collagen, polylactic acid, or hydroxylapatite to enhance flexibility and promote bone healing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional bone connection materials like titanium and steel are used, then strength and rigidity are improved, but flexibility and adaptability to joint movements deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses composite materials consisting of glass fibers (bioactive or bioinert) embedded in a polymer matrix resin. This composite structure combines the high strength and stiffness of glass fibers with the flexibility and elasticity of the polymer matrix, resolving the contradiction between strength and flexibility. The composite material provides both the mechanical strength needed for bone connection and the flexibility required to adapt to joint movements.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the material parameters by selecting glass fibers with specific tensile strength and elastic modulus, and polymer matrices with appropriate flexibility characteristics. By adjusting these material parameters, the invention achieves an optimal balance between strength and flexibility, allowing the bone connection material to maintain structural integrity while adapting to physiological movements.
2Reliability
If materials like polylactic acid and hydroxylapatite are used, then biocompatibility is improved, but brittleness increases making them unsuitable for areas with frequent movements
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a composite material system where glass fibers provide structural strength and toughness to prevent brittleness, while the polymer matrix incorporates biocompatible components. This composite approach allows the material to maintain high biocompatibility while avoiding the brittle failure mode of pure polylactic acid or hydroxylapatite materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies different material properties to different components: glass fibers provide local strength and toughness where needed, while the polymer matrix provides local biocompatibility and flexibility. This local differentiation of material qualities allows the overall structure to be both strong and biocompatible without being brittle.
3Strength
If metallic materials are used for bone connection, then mechanical strength is improved, but risk of allergic response and rejection increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention fundamentally changes the material composition from metallic to non-metallic (glass fiber-polymer composite). This parameter change eliminates the allergic response issue associated with metals while maintaining mechanical strength through the glass fiber reinforcement. The bioactive glass fibers specifically are designed to promote bone healing without causing allergic reactions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the potential harm of metallic materials (allergic responses and rejection) into a benefit by using bioactive glass fibers that actively promote bone healing and integration. The material not only avoids causing harm but actively contributes to the healing process, transforming the material selection from a problem-source to a solution-provider.
4Stability of the object's composition
If rigid bone connection materials are used, then structural stability is improved, but ability to accommodate joint movements deteriorate causing obstruction
Solution Approach 1:
The glass fiber-polymer composite structure provides structural stability through the rigid glass fiber network while the flexible polymer matrix allows for movement accommodation. This composite architecture enables the material to maintain its structural integrity and stability while simultaneously adapting to joint movements, resolving the contradiction between stability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces dynamic characteristics to the bone connection material through the flexible polymer matrix that can deform and adapt to movements. This dynamic capability allows the material to accommodate joint movements while the glass fiber reinforcement maintains structural stability, creating a material that is both stable and adaptable.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a bone connection material that includes an internal layer. The internal layer is formed by braiding a plurality of filaments. The internal layer that is formed by braiding filaments 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.