Composite Implant with Interconnecting Bands for Bone Regeneration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current biomaterials for bone and cartilage reconstruction, such as fibre reinforced composites and bioactive ceramics, face issues with insufficient mechanical strength, weak attachment to load-bearing materials, and the risk of particles dislodging before placement, along with contamination risks and interference with medical imaging.

Innovation Solution

A biologically compatible composite comprising a structural part, a porous part, and interconnecting parts made of polymer or filled polymer bands that connect the structural and porous parts, enhancing mechanical properties and secure particle integration, allowing for stem cell seeding and improved tissue integration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If porous material is used for stem cell seeding, then tissue integration is improved, but mechanical strength is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetissue integrationVSAvoidmechanical strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The implant is divided into two distinct parts: a porous part for tissue integration and stem cell seeding, and a dense structural part for mechanical strength. This segmentation allows each part to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the porous part and dense structural part into a single integrated implant structure, merging the benefits of tissue integration and mechanical strength support in one device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If particles are added to enhance osteoconductivity, then bone growth is improved, but particles may get loose and disappear before placement

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveosteoconductivityVSAvoidparticle retention
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Particles are added to the polymer matrix during the manufacturing process before the implant is finalized, ensuring they are securely embedded and will not loosen or disappear during handling or placement surgery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Strength

If metal implants are used for structural support, then mechanical strength is improved, but stress shielding and bone atrophy occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidstress shielding
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameters by using a polymer-based composite instead of metal, adjusting the mechanical properties to provide support while allowing physiological stress transmission to prevent bone atrophy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Strength

If metal implants are used, then mechanical strength is improved, but interference with MRI occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidMRI interference
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material composition from metal to polymer-based composite, fundamentally altering the magnetic properties to eliminate MRI interference while maintaining mechanical strength through composite structure design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

5Adaptability or versatility

If allografts are used for bone replacement, then tissue compatibility is improved, but risk of transmittable diseases increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetissue compatibilityVSAvoidcontamination risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a synthetic polymer-based implant that does not require biological donation, eliminating the risk of transmittable diseases while providing sufficient functionality for bone replacement and regeneration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentEP2391301B1A composite
Publication Date: 2016.03.30 SKULLE IMPLANTS
  • EP2391301B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2391301B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP2391301B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a composite comprising a structural part, a porous part, and at least two interconnecting parts arranged at a distance from each other and extending from the structural part to the porous part, thus connecting them to each other. The implant is characterised in that each interconnecting part is in the form of a band having a length, a width and a height, the width and the height both being independently at most 20 % of the length of the band, and in that at least one of the interconnecting parts is at least partially embedded into the structural and porous parts.