Hydraulic Cement Implant Paste Shelf Life

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mineral reactive systems used in medical and technical applications face challenges such as limited shelf life, sensitivity to powder/liquid ratio, and complex mixing processes, which hinder their widespread adoption and effective use, especially in medical settings where user training and experience are limited.

Innovation Solution

Development of implant materials in the form of pastes, suspensions, or dispersions containing powdery and reactive solids like calcium and magnesium compounds, mixed with an aqueous liquid to form a solid body, using a carrier liquid that is not miscible with water, thereby extending shelf life and simplifying the mixing process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of stationary object

If mineral reactive systems are used in the form of powder and liquid mixtures, then they can achieve cement-like curing reaction, but the shelf life is limited and the mixing process is complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshelf lifeVSAvoidmixing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the powder component and carrier liquid into a single paste formulation containing calcium phosphate powder, glycerol, and water in specific ratios. This merging eliminates the need for separate powder and liquid containers, extends shelf life by preventing premature reaction, and simplifies the mixing process to merely adding water at the time of use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary mixing of the powder with glycerol and water to create a stable paste before storage. This preliminary action prepares the reactive components in a stable state that can be stored for extended periods without reacting, and only requires final water addition during application, thereby extending shelf life and simplifying the actual mixing process at use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If mineral reactive systems are used in medical applications, then they can serve as bone cements and adhesives, but user training and experience are required for proper preparation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication rangeVSAvoiduser preparation skill requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a self-service system where the paste is pre-formulated with optimal component ratios (calcium phosphate powder, glycerol, water) that automatically maintain stability during storage and provide consistent curing properties when water is added. This eliminates the need for users to measure or mix components, making the material easy to use regardless of user training or experience level.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If powder and liquid are mixed in complex ratios, then curing reaction can be controlled, but the quality of result depends on user ability and care

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecuring reaction controlVSAvoidresult quality consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the powder component with glycerol and water in a pre-determined ratio within the paste formulation. This ensures that the reactive components are always in the correct proportions, eliminating variability caused by user mixing errors and ensuring consistent curing reaction and result quality across all applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state and composition parameters by incorporating glycerol as a carrier liquid and controlling the water content (0.1-10% by weight) to optimize both shelf stability and curing properties. This parameter optimization ensures reliable curing reaction while maintaining ease of use and consistent results.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution provides implant materials with extended shelf life and improved handling, allowing for multiple applications, including bone cements and adhesives, by ensuring stability and consistency through the use of non-aqueous carrier liquids, reducing the complexity of mixing, and enhancing mechanical properties.

Implementation Method 1

using a carrier liquid that is not miscible with water, thereby extending shelf life and simplifying the mixing process

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImmiscibility: Emulsion

Implementation Method 2

containing powdery and reactive solids like calcium and magnesium compounds, mixed with an aqueous liquid to form a solid body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCuring reaction: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 3

react in a cement-like curing reaction to a solid material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic cement reaction: Precipitation

Data Source

PatentUS9764057B2Hydraulic cement-based implant material and use thereof
Publication Date: 2017.09.19 INNOTERE

AI summary

The invention relates to implant materials that are based on hydraulic cements in the form of one or more pastes, suspensions or dispersions that contain mineral and/or organic and/or organomineral solids and that react, when combined or when reacted with an aqueous liquid, to a solid in a cement-type initiation reaction. The invention also relates to the use of these materials as technical, medical-technical and/or pharmaceutical products, especially as bone cements, bone replacement materials, bone glues, dental filling materials and implantable active ingredient carriers. The implant materials according to the invention in the form of one or more pastes, suspensions or dispersions that contain mineral and/or organic and/or organomineral solids are formulated in an excipient liquid in such a manner that the pastes, suspensions or dispersions are stable in storage at normal conditions over a prolonged period of time and that they react, when combined with an aqueous liquid or when added to an aqueous liquid, in a cement-type initiation reaction and set to a solid. The excipient liquid of the mineral paste, suspension or dispersion is substantially water-free, and water immiscible or insoluble or hardly soluble in water in the chemical sense.