Flowable Carrier Slurry for Early Orthopedic Implant Fixation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current orthopedic implant fixation methods are costly, inflexible, and do not allow for customization, leading to delayed bone repair and potential loosening of implants, necessitating repeated surgeries.

Innovation Solution

A composition comprising a biological factor, such as Bone Morphogenetic Proteins, embedded in a carrier slurry with a biocompatible fluid and biodegradable polymer, which is applied to the bone or implant to promote early implant fixation and bone regeneration, allowing for customizable application and reduced costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the implant is coated during the manufacturing process with biological substances, then bone repair is promoted and implant fixation is facilitated, but the cost of the surgical procedure increases and the surgeon cannot customize the amount of biological substance applied

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplant fixationVSAvoidcustomization of biological substance amount

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The biological substance is applied to the implant surface before surgery through a slurry composition that can be customized by the surgeon. The slurry contains carrier particles with adsorbed biological substances that are applied preliminarily to the implant or bone surface, allowing optimization of bone repair promotion while maintaining surgical flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The concentration and amount of biological substance in the slurry composition can be adjusted by the surgeon based on specific surgical needs. The slurry allows variable dosing of osteoinductive substances by changing the composition parameters such as the amount of biological substance per volume of slurry, enabling customization without requiring different implant coatings

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If excessive amounts of expensive biological factor are used during the manufacturing process, then long term sterility and stability are ensured, but the cost of the surgical procedure increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesterility and stabilityVSAvoidcost of surgical procedure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of applying excessive amounts of biological substance during manufacturing, the slurry composition allows for partial application with optimized dosing. The carrier particles provide a surface for adsorption that enables effective delivery of appropriate amounts of biological substance, reducing waste and cost while maintaining sterility and stability through the protective carrier matrix

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The carrier particles serve as a template or copy structure that can be mass-produced at low cost. These biodegradable polymer particles provide the functional surface for biological substance attachment, replacing the need for expensive coated implants while maintaining the essential osteoinductive functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Stability of the object's composition

If mechanical disturbance occurs during bone repair, then bone repair and regeneration are delayed, but implant stability is compromised leading to loosening

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebone repair stabilityVSAvoidimplant fixation

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The slurry composition is applied beforehand to the implant or bone surface to create a protective layer that promotes early bone ingrowth. This preliminary application of osteoinductive substances cushions against the adverse effects of subsequent mechanical disturbance by establishing initial bone formation that anchors the implant more securely, reducing the risk of loosening despite post-operative mechanical stresses

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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

Facilitates rapid and stable bone ingrowth, reducing the risk of implant loosening and the need for repeat surgeries, while being cost-effective and user-friendly.

Implementation Method 1

The carrier slurry is used to ensure even distribution of the biological factor over the bone or the implant surface and to keep the biological factor at the injury site for a desired period of time

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS8048857B2Flowable carrier compositions and methods of use

Publication Date: 2011.11.01 WARSAW ORTHOPEDIC INC

AI summary

A composition is provided for faster bone repair and early orthopedic implant fixation. The composition comprises an osteoinductive or osteopromotive biological factor embedded in a carrier slurry. The slurry is prepared by wetting a biodegradable polymer and calcium phosphate particles with a biocompatible fluid. The composition may be applied to the site of the bone fracture, to an orthopedic implant or to both during the surgical procedure. The composition utilizes low dosages of the biological factor and, therefore, is cost effective to be used routinely.