Fiber Implant Composition for Tendon-Bone Fixation in Osteoporotic Bone

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bone-screw fixation methods in osteoporotic bone, such as those used in spine and hip fractures, face issues with initial loosening and failure due to compromised bone strength, and tendon or ligament repairs struggle with effective enthesis creation and implant bonding.

Innovation Solution

The use of fiber implants, composed of demineralized bone fibers or other osteoinductive and osteoconductive materials, formed into shapes like cylinders or pegs, is placed at the bone-tissue interface or in screw holes to enhance fixation and integration, providing a denser substrate for screws and facilitating tendon-bone regeneration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If traditional bone-screw fixation methods are used in osteoporotic bone, then the procedure is simple and straightforward, but the fixation strength is insufficient and screw loosening occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixation strengthVSAvoidfixation method complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fiber implant is placed in the bone cavity before the screw is inserted, preparing the interface in advance to enhance fixation. This preliminary placement allows the implant to be integrated with the bone and screw, creating a three-component fixation system that prevents screw loosening and failure in osteoporotic bone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a composite fixation system consisting of natural bone, demineralized bone fiber implant, and metal screw. This composite approach combines the osteoinductive and osteoconductive properties of the fiber implant with the mechanical strength of the screw, achieving both biological integration and mechanical stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If demineralized bone fiber implants are placed in screw holes to enhance fixation, then insertion torque increases and screw loosening reduces, but the implant placement procedure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixation reliabilityVSAvoidsurgical procedure ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The fixation system is segmented into three distinct components: the bone cavity, the fiber implant, and the screw. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the fiber implant provides biological integration while the screw provides mechanical fixation - and simplifies the surgical procedure by allowing sequential placement of each component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fiber implant acts as an intermediary between the bone and the screw, filling the interface and enhancing the bond. This intermediary component transfers and distributes the mechanical loads from the screw to the surrounding bone, reducing stress concentrations and preventing screw loosening.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Duration of action of stationary object

If fiber implants are used to promote bone growth and integration, then long-term fixation improves, but the initial surgical time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelong-term fixation durationVSAvoidsurgical time

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The fiber implant is designed to be self-integrating with the bone through its osteoinductive and osteoconductive properties. It spontaneously promotes bone growth and integration without requiring additional surgical interventions or complex fixation mechanisms, allowing the biological process to occur naturally while providing immediate mechanical support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 fiber implants increase insertion torque, reduce screw loosening, promote local bone growth, and improve long-term fixation and repair by being osteoinductive and osteoconductive, especially in osteoporotic bone, while also stabilizing tendon reattachment.

Implementation Method 1

fiber implants, composed of demineralized bone fibers or other osteoinductive and osteoconductive materials

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOsteoinduction:

Implementation Method 2

fiber implants, composed of demineralized bone fibers or other osteoinductive and osteoconductive materials

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOsteoconduction:

Data Source

PatentUS12502459B2Implant compositions and methods for ligament and tendon repair

Publication Date: 2025.12.23 TETROUS INC

AI summary

A composition and methods of making or use thereof include a plurality of fibers forming a shape for augmenting tendon to bone repair. The physical presence of the plurality of fibers provides initial fixation, while the use of an osteoinductive material provides long term enhancement of bone formation around the site of the tendon to bone repair.