Calcium Phosphate Scaffold with Impregnated Ion Source for Bone Regeneration

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current calcium phosphate bone graft substitutes lack controlled degradation and ion release mechanisms, leading to unregulated cellular responses and potentially rapid material degradation that does not align with bone formation rates.

Innovation Solution

A three-dimensional scaffold made of calcium phosphate with controlled porosity and impregnation of soluble calcium or phosphate compounds like calcium chloride, allowing for selective release of ions to regulate cellular activity and degradation, thereby aligning with bone formation processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If calcium phosphate bone graft substitutes are used with high porosity to enable cell infiltration and bone formation, then bone regeneration capability is improved, but material degradation rate becomes uncontrolled and may be too rapid

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebone formation rateVSAvoidmaterial degradation control

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the release rate of calcium and phosphate ions through the porous structure. The porosity parameters (pore size, distribution, and connectivity) are optimized to regulate ion diffusion rates, thereby controlling the degradation speed to match bone formation rates while maintaining high bone regeneration capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes porous calcium phosphate materials with specifically designed pore structures. The porous framework enables cell infiltration and bone formation while the pore geometry and distribution control the release kinetics of calcium and phosphate ions, achieving synchronized material degradation and bone regeneration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

2Speed

If calcium phosphate materials are designed for fast degradation to enable quick bone turnover, then bone regeneration speed is improved, but cellular response control is lost leading to unregulated osteoblast and osteoclast activity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebone regeneration speedVSAvoidcellular response control

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the release of calcium and phosphate ions from the degrading material regulates cellular activity. The ion release rate provides feedback control over osteoblast and osteoclast activity, ensuring that cellular responses remain regulated even during fast degradation, thereby maintaining controlled bone turnover.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the calcium phosphate material to control ion release kinetics. By adjusting the ratio of calcium to phosphate and controlling pore structure parameters, the material degradation speed and ion release rate are tuned to achieve fast bone regeneration while maintaining cellular response control through regulated ion concentrations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If the scaffold structure is optimized for high bone ingrowth with interconnected macropores, then bone formation quality is improved, but calcium and phosphate ion release becomes uncontrolled

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebone ingrowth qualityVSAvoidion release control

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the pore structure into different size categories (macropores for bone ingrowth, micropores for ion release control). The macropores provide channels for bone ingrowth and vascularization, while the micropores regulate ion diffusion. This segmentation allows independent optimization of bone ingrowth quality and ion release control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes a hierarchical porous structure where macropores (50-500 μm) facilitate bone ingrowth and micropores (1-50 μm) control ion release. The interconnected porous network is designed with specific porosity ratios and pore size distributions to simultaneously achieve high bone ingrowth quality and controlled calcium-phosphate ion release kinetics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

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 controlled release of calcium and phosphate ions enhances the in vivo response of bone graft substitutes, ensuring a slower degradation rate that matches bone formation, improving the efficacy of bone regeneration.

Implementation Method 1

The impregnation can be effected e.g. by spraying, soaking, tipping... a compound that is soluble in vivo, like calcium chloride (CaCl2)... which can spontaneously dissolve in vivo

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDissolution:

Implementation Method 2

The controlled release of calcium and phosphate ions enhances the in vivo response... having pores... interconnected pores... micropores or nanopores

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentEP2544727B1Bone graft substitute

Publication Date: 2016.11.02 MATHYS AG BETTLACH

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

The bone graft substitute is in the form of an implantable three-dimensional scaffold comprising calcium phosphate and having pores. The scaffold is impregnated with a calcium and/or phosphate containing substance and the dissolution rate DRS of said scaffold is slower than the dissolution rate DRD of said calcium and/or phosphate containing substance.