Biocompatible Elastomer Prosthetic for Cartilage Regeneration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current prosthetic devices for joint spaces, such as the femoral condyle and tibial plateau, lack effective load distribution and cartilage regeneration capabilities, failing to adequately address cartilage damage from osteoarthritis and other injuries.
Innovation Solution
A prosthetic device formed from a biocompatible segmented thermoplastic elastomer with crystallized blocks containing bis-urea moieties, combined with a functional component like peptides with RGD sequences for cell adhesion and differentiation, to promote cartilage regeneration and mimic native cartilage properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional prosthetic materials are used in joint spaces, then structural support is provided, but load distribution and cartilage regeneration capabilities are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials consisting of segmented thermoplastic elastomer matrices integrated with functional components containing cartilage regenerative elements. This composite structure enables simultaneous achievement of mechanical load distribution and biological cartilage regeneration functions that single materials cannot provide alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The prosthetic device is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: providing structural support, distributing mechanical loads, and stimulating cartilage regeneration. The integration of elastomeric material with functional components containing growth factors or stem cells enables this multi-functionality within a single prosthesis system.
2Ease of operation
If joint replacement surgery is performed to treat severe cartilage damage, then pain relief and mobility restoration are achieved, but the procedure is extremely invasive and compromises future treatment options
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs biodegradable or temporarily functional prosthetic materials that provide necessary support and stimulate regeneration during the critical healing period, then gradually degrade or become less active. This avoids permanent implantation and preserves future treatment options while achieving the goal of mobility restoration.
Solution Approach 2:
The prosthetic device incorporates functional components that actively stimulate the body's own cartilage regeneration processes through growth factors, stem cells, or biochemical signals. This self-service approach leverages the patient's biological systems to repair damage, reducing reliance on extensive surgical intervention.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If arthroscopic debridement is used to delay tissue degeneration, then some tissue preservation is achieved, but joint spacing and stability are not restored
Solution Approach 1:
The prosthetic device is designed to be implanted at early to intermediate stages of cartilage damage to prevent further degeneration and actively promote regeneration before complete tissue loss occurs. This preliminary intervention prevents the need for more extensive procedures later while restoring joint spacing and stability.
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 prosthetic device achieves improved load distribution and cartilage regeneration, maintaining joint health and mobility by stimulating chondrocyte growth and producing hyaline cartilage with optimal mechanical properties.
Implementation Method 1
a biocompatible segmented thermoplastic elastomer with crystallized blocks containing bis-urea moieties
Implementation Method 2
functional component like peptides with RGD sequences for cell adhesion and differentiation
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a prosthesis device comprising a body at least partly formed from a biocompatible elastomer, in particular a segmented thermoplastic elastomer having crystallized blocks, and at least one functional component, which is able to chemically bond to the crystallized blocks, and has cartilage regenerative properties. The invention also relates to a method for placing a prosthesis into a joint space and/or bone structure.