Flowable Bone Void Filler with Thermosetting Polymer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bone graft substitutes, including biocompatible ceramics, are hard and brittle, making it difficult to create a composition with a putty-like consistency that can effectively fill bone voids and retain therapeutic agents at the treatment site for prolonged periods.
Innovation Solution
A flowable bone void filler comprising a polysaccharide, ceramic material, and a thermosetting polymer that transitions from a viscous liquid at room temperature to a gel at body temperature, combined with therapeutic agents like BMPs and GDFs, to create a moldable composition that can be easily applied and retain therapeutic agents at the treatment site.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If hard biocompatible ceramics are added to create a bone graft substitute, then the structural support and biocompatibility are improved, but the composition becomes brittle and loses putty-like consistency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines hard biocompatible ceramics with a soft polymer matrix to create a composite material that exhibits both the structural support of ceramics and the putty-like consistency of polymers. This composite approach allows the composition to maintain cohesiveness and moldability while providing necessary structural strength for bone defect filling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes temperature-dependent parameter changes in the polymer matrix, which transitions from a viscous liquid at room temperature to a gel at body temperature. This parameter change allows the composition to be easily applied at room temperature while becoming structurally stable at body temperature, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and structural strength.
2Reliability
If proteins like BMP-2, GDF-5 and BMP-7 are used to induce bone growth, then the bone regeneration capability is improved, but the proteins disperse and cannot be confined to the desired treatment site
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates proteins into the composite polymer-ceramic matrix, where the polymer network physically entraps and localizes the proteins at the treatment site. This composite structure maintains protein stability and prevents dispersion while allowing the proteins to function for bone growth induction.
Solution Approach 2:
The polymer-ceramic composite acts as an intermediary carrier that delivers and retains proteins at the desired treatment location. The matrix serves as a localized reservoir that releases proteins in a controlled manner, ensuring they remain confined to the bone defect site while maintaining their biological activity.
3Reliability
If autologous bone particles are used as bone graft substitute, then the healing effectiveness is improved, but the additional surgery required increases adverse events and risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs synthetic biocompatible materials (polymers and ceramics) that can be prepared and stored without requiring additional surgical harvesting. These materials serve as effective substitutes for autologous bone, eliminating the need for secondary surgical sites and associated complications while maintaining bone regeneration capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase-changing polymer materials that transition from liquid to gel state, allowing the composition to be easily implanted and then stabilize in situ. This parameter change enables the delivery of effective bone graft substitutes without requiring the additional surgery needed for autologous bone harvesting, thereby reducing surgical complications.
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 composition allows for effective bone regeneration by providing a putty-like consistency for easy application and prolonged retention of therapeutic agents, promoting bone repair and regeneration while minimizing surgical complications.
Implementation Method 1
a polymer that exhibits thermosetting properties such that it exists as a viscous liquid at room temperatures and as a gel at about body temperature
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a composition comprising an aqueous admixture of ceramic particles, polysaccharide, a therapeutic agent and, optionally, a polymer, and methods of using the same. The present invention provides a flowable bone void filler for use in medical situations where bone regeneration is desired. In an exemplary embodiment the bone void filler comprises a polysaccharide, a ceramic material and a polymer that exhibits thermosetting properties such that it exists as a viscous liquid at room temperatures and as a gel at about body temperature. In another exemplary embodiment the bone void filler comprises a polysaccharide, a ceramic material, a polymer that exhibits thermosetting properties such that it exists as a viscous liquid at room temperature and as a gel at about body temperatures, and a therapeutic agent.