Fiber-Reinforced Bone Repair Putty for Migration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bone repair materials face challenges in maintaining hydroxyapatite particles at the implantation site due to migration issues, and existing solutions often require multiple surgical procedures, are costly, and have limitations in availability and biocompatibility, especially when dealing with extensive bone defects or diseases that result in bone loss.
Innovation Solution
The development of fiber-reinforced bone repair putties and pliable lyophilized implants that incorporate hydroxyapatite particles suspended in a hydrogel carrier with added fibers, which reduces migration and enhances mechanical strength, allowing for easier manipulation during implantation without tearing or puncturing, and promotes natural bone ingrowth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If particulate bone graft substitute is used to fill bone defect, then availability and ease of use are improved, but the material lacks sufficient cohesiveness and adhesion causing particle migration from the implantation site
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines ceramic particulates with a biodegradable polymer carrier material to create a composite bone graft substitute. This composite structure provides the cohesiveness and adhesion of the polymer while maintaining the osteoconductivity and osteoinductivity of the ceramic particles, preventing particle migration while preserving ease of use.
Solution Approach 2:
The biodegradable polymer carrier acts as an intermediary between the ceramic particles and the biological environment. It provides temporary structural support and cohesiveness during the healing process, allowing particles to remain in place while gradually degrading to allow natural bone formation.
2Ease of operation
If carrier material is used to deliver bone repair material, then handling characteristics are improved, but the carrier must balance degradation rate to allow cellular infiltration while maintaining structural integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the time-dependent parameter change of the biodegradable polymer carrier, which transitions from a structurally intact state providing handling characteristics to a degraded state allowing cellular infiltration. The degradation rate is controlled to maintain structural integrity during implantation and initial healing, then gradually breakdown to permit bone ingrowth.
3Strength
If foreign material is used to fill bone defect, then immediate structural support is provided, but stress risers can occur potentially causing future fractures
Solution Approach 1:
The biodegradable polymer carrier is designed to be temporarily discarded as it degrades over time. It provides necessary structural support during the critical early healing phase, then gradually breaks down and is replaced by natural bone tissue, eliminating long-term stress risers while maintaining short-term structural integrity.
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-reinforced formulations effectively reduce hydroxyapatite particle migration, provide enhanced mechanical strength for surgical handling, and facilitate natural bone integration, addressing the limitations of existing materials by maintaining the implantation site integrity and promoting bone regeneration.
Implementation Method 1
hydroxyapatite particles suspended in a hydrogel carrier
Implementation Method 2
pliable bone graft substitute formed by lyophilizing the putty
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention features fiber reinforced bone repair putties and fiber reinforced pliable lyophilized implants which are useful for the treatment of bone defects. The putties and lyophilized implants include ceramic particles. The formulations of the invention can exhibit reduced migration of the ceramic particles, and are mechanically strengthened so the materials can be aggressively manipulated by a physician during an implantation procedure without tearing or puncturing.