Composite Bone Implant with Wire Anchoring Arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical implants for filling bone defects after craniotomy procedures lack effective tissue healing and fixation of the bone flap to adjacent cranial bone, with existing metal mesh implants failing to induce tissue healing and ceramics providing only osteoconductive support without fixation.
Innovation Solution
A biomedical implant combining a wire or mesh anchoring system with a biomaterial mosaic element, comprising flexible high-strength wires or meshes and osteoconductive/osteoinductive ceramic tiles, which can be securely attached to the skull using screws or anchoring channels, facilitating bone ingrowth and mechanical stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If metal mesh implants are used to fill bone defects, then mechanical strength is improved, but tissue healing is not induced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines metal mesh with ceramic materials to create a composite implant. The metal mesh provides mechanical strength and structural support, while the ceramic material promotes osteoconduction and tissue healing. This composite structure resolves the contradiction by integrating materials with complementary properties - the metal component addresses mechanical requirements while the ceramic component addresses biological healing requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges two separate functions into a single implant system: mechanical support (metal mesh) and biological integration (ceramic material). By combining these elements into one integrated device, the solution simultaneously provides both structural integrity and promotes tissue healing, eliminating the need for separate implants for each function.
2Reliability
If ceramic materials are used to fill bone defects, then osteoconductive support is provided, but fixation of bone flap to adjacent cranial bone is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure where ceramic material provides osteoconductive properties for bone growth, while the integrated metal mesh component provides mechanical fixation strength. The combination allows the implant to simultaneously achieve biological integration through osteoconduction and mechanical stability through the metal framework.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: the ceramic portion provides osteoconductive support for bone healing, while the metal mesh portion provides mechanical fixation to secure the bone flap. This multi-functional design resolves the contradiction by making a single device capable of both biological and mechanical roles.
3Reliability
If separate implants are used for filling defects and fixing bone flap, then specialized functions are achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of defect filling and bone flap fixation into a single integrated implant device. The metal mesh and ceramic material are combined in one structure that simultaneously performs both functions, eliminating the need for multiple separate implants and simplifying the overall treatment protocol while maintaining specialized functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant is designed as a multi-functional device that can simultaneously fill bone defects and provide fixation. By incorporating both osteoconductive ceramic material and mechanically strong metal mesh in one device, the solution achieves multiple specialized functions without requiring a complex system of separate implants.
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 system enhances bone ingrowth and mechanical properties, providing both effective filling of bone defects and fixation of the bone flap, promoting tissue healing and stability.
Implementation Method 1
the solid implant body... is preferably composed of an osteo-conductive and/or osteo-inductive material that facilitates bone in-growth onto the implant system
Implementation Method 2
The anchoring system may be attached to adjacent cranial bone and a bone flap by screws
Data Source
AI summary
An implant includes a single moulded implant body and a plurality of wire anchoring arms moulded into and extending substantially laterally from the moulded ceramic implant body for filling a bore hole in a skull. The implant will not only provide filling of the bone defect, but also provide fixation of the bone flap. Methods for forming such implants and methods for using the implants for filing a bore hole in a skull are described.