Flowable Collagen Matrix for Minimally Invasive Bone Growth

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for delivering collagen-based carrier matrices for bone growth are invasive and painful, requiring manual hand-packing of a large sponge into a target site through surgical incision.

Innovation Solution

A method and kit for creating a flowable carrier matrix by wetting collagen sponge components with a fluid to form a viscous aggregate, which can be injected into a target site using a delivery cannula, potentially pre-impregnated with morphogens and bulking materials, to facilitate minimally invasive bone growth promotion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a large collagen sponge is used as carrier matrix, then the carrier matrix provides sufficient scaffolding for bone growth, but the sponge requires hand-packing through surgical incision which is invasive and painful

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebone growth promotionVSAvoidsurgical invasiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The large collagen sponge is divided into multiple small particles or granules that can be delivered through injection. This segmentation allows the carrier matrix to be administered minimally invasively while collectively providing sufficient scaffolding volume for bone growth at the target site.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The collagen sponge particles are delivered using hydraulic injection through a cannula or needle. The particles are suspended in a fluid carrier that enables injection through small incisions, replacing the manual hand-packing method that requires large surgical openings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the collagen sponge is cut into small pieces for injection, then the delivery becomes less invasive, but the small pieces may not provide sufficient scaffolding structure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical invasivenessVSAvoidscaffolding adequacy

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple small collagen sponge particles are combined and delivered together as a collective mass through injection. While individual particles are small, their aggregated volume provides sufficient scaffolding structure for bone growth, merging the advantages of minimally invasive delivery with adequate structural support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The collagen sponge particles maintain their porous structure even when cut into small pieces. This porosity is essential for bone ingrowth and vascularization. The high surface area to volume ratio of numerous small particles collectively provides extensive porous scaffolding for bone regeneration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the carrier matrix is delivered through injection, then the procedure is less painful, but the viscous aggregate requires precise formulation to flow properly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient painVSAvoidformulation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The physical parameters of the collagen sponge are modified by controlling particle size, shape, and surface properties. The fluid carrier parameters such as viscosity, pH, and composition are optimized to enable proper suspension and flow characteristics for injection while maintaining particle integrity and biological functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The injection system comprises a composite formulation combining collagen sponge particles with a fluid carrier medium. This composite structure allows the solid particles to flow as a suspension, enabling injection delivery while maintaining the structural integrity and biological activity of the collagen scaffold.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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

Enables a minimally invasive delivery of a collagen-based carrier matrix, reducing pain and invasiveness while promoting bone growth by providing a scaffold for bone ingrowth at the target site.

Implementation Method 1

wetting a plurality of carrier matrix components with a fluid to create a viscous aggregate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentUS8293232B2Flowable carrier matrix and methods for delivering to a patient

Publication Date: 2012.10.23 WARSAW ORTHOPEDIC INC

AI summary

A carrier matrix may be delivered to a target position within a patient in a minimally invasive manner by first cutting a collagen sponge sheet into a plurality of relatively small pieces. These pieces are sized so that, when wet, they are capable of flowing through a cannula and/or reduced-diameter syringe tip. The pieces are placed into a syringe and wetted, say with a morphogenic solution, and optionally mixed with a bulking material, which is similarly sized to fit through the cannula. The thoroughly mixed and wetted product forms a viscous aggregate which may then be injected into the patient at the target site.