Deformable Cranial Base Implant for Sphenoid Bone Repair
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current materials used to close holes in the sphenoid bone between the sella turcica and sphenoid sinus, such as bone and cartilage, are difficult to work with due to their rigidity and custom shape requirements, while overlays provide insufficient structural support and often lead to delayed cerebrospinal fluid leaks.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a deformable cap and stem made of biocompatible material, which can be compressed to pass through a smaller hole and reform to provide structural support within the sella turcica, offering ease of placement and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If bone or cartilage is used as inlay material, then structural support is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in shaping and placing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transforming the physical state of the implant material from rigid to deformable. The deformable material is compressed to a smaller size for insertion through the craniotomy opening, then returns to its original shape inside the sella turcica to provide structural support. This resolves the contradiction by allowing easy placement (like soft materials) while achieving structural support (like hard materials) through the deformation parameter change.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamics by making the implant material dynamically changeable in shape. The material transitions from a compressed state during insertion to an expanded state after placement, adapting its form to match the contours of the sella turcica. This dynamic behavior enables both ease of insertion and effective structural support without requiring complex pre-shaping operations.
2Ease of operation
If overlay materials are used, then ease of operation is improved, but structural support deteriorates leading to delayed cerebrospinal fluid leaks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by using a deformable material that changes its physical parameters from soft and compressible during insertion to firm and supportive after placement. The material is inserted in a compressed state (easy placement) then expands to provide the necessary structural support (preventing CSF leaks), combining the advantages of both overlay ease-of-placement and inlay structural support.
3Strength
If cadaveric rib cartilage is used, then structural support is improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to customization requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a standardized deformable implant that can be used for various skull base defects without requiring custom fabrication. The material's ability to deform and conform to different anatomical shapes allows a single universal design to replace multiple customized implants, reducing complexity while maintaining structural support across different surgical applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes to eliminate customization needs. The deformable material can be compressed to various sizes and shapes for insertion, then naturally expands to conform to the specific anatomical contours of each patient's sella turcica, providing a universal solution that adapts to individual anatomical variations without requiring pre-customization.
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 device effectively prevents cerebrospinal fluid leaks by providing long-lasting structural support and reducing the complexity and cost of surgical procedures, while being easy to handle and position within the anatomical site.
Implementation Method 1
The cap includes a contact surface and an upper surface. The upper surface extends from the apex to the outer perimeter. The stem extends from the contact surface in a direction opposite the apex
Implementation Method 2
A device and method for closing a hole in a sphenoid bone that acts as a barrier between a sella turcica and a sphenoid sinus is disclosed
Data Source
AI summary
A device for closing a hole in a sphenoid bone that acts as a barrier between a sella turcica and a sphenoid sinus is disclosed. The device includes a cap and a stem. The cap is formed of a deformable material. The cap includes a contact surface and an upper surface. The contact surface forms a base of the cap and includes an outer perimeter. The upper surface includes an apex offset from the contact surface. The upper surface extends from the apex to the outer perimeter. The stem extends from the contact surface in a direction opposite the apex.