Calcified Tissue Substitute With Controlled Nacre Degradation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bone substitutes lack sufficient osteoconductivity and osteoinductivity, and nacre's rapid degradation limits its application as an implantable or injectable bone substitute.

Innovation Solution

A method is developed to coat nacre particles with calcium orthophosphate, creating a calcified tissue substitute that generates pores in vivo through controlled degradation of nacre and other components, enhancing osteoconductivity and osteoinductivity by varying resorption rates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If nacre is used as a bone substitute, then osteoinductivity is improved, but degradation rate is too rapid

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveosteoinductivityVSAvoiddegradation rate

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite material consisting of nacre particles coated with calcium orthophosphate. The nacre provides osteoinductivity while the calcium orthophosphate coating controls the degradation rate, allowing the material to maintain structural integrity longer while still promoting bone formation. This composite structure resolves the contradiction by combining materials with complementary properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the degradation parameters of nacre by coating it with calcium orthophosphate. The coating changes the surface properties and degradation kinetics of the nacre particles, reducing their rapid degradation rate while preserving their osteoinductive capabilities. This parameter modification allows the material to function effectively over a longer period.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If prefabricated porous materials are used, then porosity is improved, but mechanical strength is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveporosityVSAvoidmechanical strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by coating the nacre particles with calcium orthophosphate before implantation. This pre-coating creates a controlled porous structure that will gradually degrade in vivo, allowing mechanical strength to be maintained initially while porosity develops over time to promote bone ingrowth. The porous structure is prepared in advance but its full expression is controlled temporally.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Quantity of substance

If materials are rendered porous in situ, then porosity is improved, but mechanical failure is uncontrolled

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveporosityVSAvoidmechanical failure control

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating different degradation rates in different parts of the composite material. The calcium orthophosphate coating degrades at a different rate than the nacre core, creating a controlled gradient of porosity development. This localized difference in degradation behavior allows porosity to form in a controlled manner while maintaining overall structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 calcified tissue substitute provides stronger mechanical support during early stages of repair and promotes osteogenesis by gradually forming pores, improving osteoconductivity and osteoinductivity compared to traditional calcium phosphate-based products.

Implementation Method 1

the remaining nacre particles have the fastest degradation rate, which begins to biodegrade through contact with body fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBiodegradation: Decomposition (biological)

Implementation Method 2

these components will be biodegraded in 2 to 8 months. These different calcium orthophosphates will be gradually absorbed by the cellular activity of macrophages, osteoclasts and other cell types via phagocytosis and the body fluid-solid reaction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid-solid reaction: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 3

absorbed by the cellular activity of macrophages, osteoclasts and other cell types via phagocytosis

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhagocytosis:

Implementation Method 4

hydroxyapatite in the calcified tissue substitute can be kept in body for up to 2 years as an osteoconductive scaffold

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOsteoconduction:

Data Source

PatentEP3630047B1Method for manufacturing a calcified tissue substitute

Publication Date: 2025.09.24 MARINE BIOMEDICAL PTY LTD

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AI summary

The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a calcified tissue substitute, the method comprising: reacting ground nacre, monocalcium phosphate, and water to produce brushite; grinding the brushite; reacting ground nacre with the ground brushite in disodium hydrogenphosphate solution. The invention also relates to a calcified tissue substitute manufactured by the method, use of the calcified tissue substitute for repairing a calcified tissue, and a delivery device for delivering the calcified tissue.