Eggshell Particle Hydrogels for Porous Bone Regeneration Scaffolds

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current bone graft materials face challenges such as complexity in fabrication, lack of porosity and biofunctionality, high morbidity, immune rejection, and insufficient mechanical properties, limiting their effectiveness in bone repair and regeneration.

Innovation Solution

Development of hydrogels incorporating micronized and/or nanosized eggshell particles and corresponding prepolymer compositions, which are crosslinked to form mechanically stable, porous, and biocompatible scaffolds for bone repair, enabling tissue formation and regeneration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If traditional synthetic biomaterials are used for bone grafts, then mechanical strength is provided, but fabrication complexity increases and biocompatibility decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidfabrication complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines natural eggshell particles (calcium carbonate) with hydrogel polymers to create a composite material that provides both mechanical strength and biocompatibility. The eggshell particles serve as a natural reinforcement phase, eliminating the need for complex synthetic material fabrication processes while maintaining structural integrity for bone repair applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If traditional synthetic scaffolds are used, then structural stability is achieved, but porosity and osteoinductivity are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidosteoinductivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The hydrogel matrix provides structural stability in certain regions while the embedded eggshell particles create localized areas of high osteoinductivity. This spatial differentiation allows the material to simultaneously maintain overall structural integrity and provide localized biological activity that promotes bone regeneration, addressing both requirements without compromise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If autografts and allografts are used for bone defects, then bone repair is achieved, but morbidity and immune rejection risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebone repair effectivenessVSAvoidimmune rejection risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The eggshell particles are derived from a natural, biocompatible source that the body can recognize and integrate without triggering immune rejection. The material essentially serves itself by utilizing a substance (eggshell calcium carbonate) that is already familiar to the biological system, eliminating the need for immunosuppression or complex donor matching procedures required by traditional grafts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Strength

If traditional synthetic biomaterials are used, then mechanical properties are sufficient, but degradability is insufficient and mineralization is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical propertiesVSAvoiddegradability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The eggshell particles undergo controlled degradation over time, gradually transforming from a structural reinforcement phase to a source of bioactive ions (calcium and phosphate) that promote mineralization. This temporal parameter change allows the material to provide mechanical strength initially, then transition to facilitating bone formation and mineralization as it degrades, solving both the strength and degradability requirements dynamically.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 eggshell particle-reinforced hydrogels exhibit enhanced mechanical properties, tunable degradation rates, and promote osteogenic differentiation, providing a favorable environment for bone regeneration with minimal inflammatory response.

Implementation Method 1

micronized and/or nanosized eggshell particles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMicronization and nanosizing:

Implementation Method 2

crosslinking the prepolymer composition

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCrosslinking:

Data Source

PatentUS12472285B2Eggshell particle containing hydrogels and prepolymer compositions for biomedical applications

Publication Date: 2025.11.18 UNIV OF MASSACHUSETTS

AI summary

Hydrogels and hydrogel prepolymer compositions are described which include micronized eggshell particles. The hydrogels have outstanding tunability in physical, chemical, and biological properties, and have favorable properties for biomedical applications. They enable tissue formation and regeneration and are suitable for applications involving mineralized tissues such as bone, cartilage, tooth, and tendon, as well as non-mineralized tissues.