Degradable Balloon for Gingival Tissue Regeneration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional treatments for periodontal disease, such as black triangle disease, fail to effectively recreate lost gingival tissue attachment and prevent tooth loss by not adequately addressing the expansion of gingival embrasures and bacterial infection between teeth.

Innovation Solution

An expansion device with an inflatable, degradable balloon is used to fill the gap between teeth, delivering anti-bacterial agents and tissue regeneration factors to restore tissue and prevent further disease progression.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional surgical treatments are used to remove bacteria and alter periodontal pockets, then bacterial removal is achieved, but lost gingival tissue attachment is not recreated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebacterial removalVSAvoidgingival tissue attachment

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary substance (gingival matrix or gel) that acts as a mediator between the surgical site and tissue regeneration. This matrix serves as a scaffold that guides and supports the regeneration of gingival tissue, enabling the recreation of lost attachment while maintaining the bacterial removal achieved through surgical intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs parameter changes by modifying the physical and chemical properties of the surgical site through the application of specific matrices and gels. These changes create an optimal environment for tissue regeneration, transforming the surgical site from a damaged state to a regenerative state that restores gingival attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If gingival flap surgical procedures are used to retract and reoppose flaps, then access to tooth root is achieved, but the treatment does not replace lost periodontium

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to tooth rootVSAvoidperiodontium replacement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by preparing and positioning the gingival matrix or gel at the surgical site before the flap is reopposed. This preliminary placement ensures that the regenerative material is in position to immediately support tissue regeneration once the surgical procedure is complete, thereby replacing lost periodontium while maintaining ease of surgical access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the inflatable balloon is made degradable and biologically resorbable, then tissue regeneration is promoted, but the device duration of action is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue regenerationVSAvoiddevice duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes parameter changes by selecting specific degradable materials with controlled degradation rates. The material properties are adjusted to provide sufficient structural support and anti-bacterial agent delivery during the critical healing period, then gradually degrade to allow complete tissue regeneration without long-term foreign body presence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs the principle of disposable, degradable devices that perform their function temporarily and then naturally degrade. The inflatable balloon and associated components are designed to be short-lived, providing necessary support and drug delivery during healing, then disappearing as the tissue regenerates, eliminating the need for removal surgery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 expands soft tissue to recreate lost gingival attachment, reducing bacterial presence and promoting tissue regeneration, thereby preventing tooth loss and improving periodontal health.

Implementation Method 1

an inflatable balloon moveable from an unexpanded configuration to an expanded configuration

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInflation:

Implementation Method 2

The inflatable balloon is degradable and/or biologically resorbable

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBiological degradation: Decomposition (biological)

Data Source

PatentUS8734387B2Expansion device for treatment of black triangle disease and method

Publication Date: 2014.05.27 WARSAW ORTHOPEDIC INC

AI summary

An expansion device includes an inflatable balloon moveable from an unexpanded configuration to an expanded configuration configured to pass through soft tissue between two adjacent teeth of a patient when in the unexpanded configuration. The an expansion device also includes an inflation tube having one end connected to the inflatable balloon and another end serving as an entry port for an inflation fluid. The inflatable balloon has a triangular shape when in the expanded configuration.