Flexible Foam Bone Prosthesis for Cadaver Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current artificial bone replacements for deceased bodies are stiff, difficult to bend, expensive, and pose environmental hazards due to incineration by-products and leaching of hazardous materials, failing to provide natural anatomical support and stability, and do not effectively manage embalming fluid leakage and odor.

Innovation Solution

A bone replacement prosthesis comprising a pliable composite laminate structure of a plastic sheet and fluid absorbent textile, formable into a tubular shape for secure attachment around or within the appendage, allowing customization and fluid absorption, neutralizing odors, and made from environmentally friendly materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If rigid PVC bone or PLA bone is used for bone replacement, then structural support is provided, but the material becomes difficult to bend and customize for use in a deceased body

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural supportVSAvoiddifficulty to bend

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a flexible foam core enclosed within a fabric cover to replace rigid bone structures. The foam material provides necessary structural support while remaining soft and flexible, allowing easy bending and customization to fit different body positions and anatomical regions without the rigidity problems of PVC or PLA bones.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Strength

If PVC bone is used for bone replacement, then structural support is provided, but hazardous by-products are produced during cremation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural supportVSAvoidincineration by-products

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a disposable foam-based bone replacement that is designed for single use in funeral applications. The foam material is selected to be environmentally friendly and free from hazardous chemicals, allowing safe incineration without producing harmful by-products like HCl, dioxins, or furans, thus eliminating the need for PVC bone removal before cremation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Strength

If PVC bone is used for bone replacement, then structural support is provided, but hazardous materials leach into ground water during burial

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural supportVSAvoidleaching hazardous materials

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Adaptability or versatility

If complex hole and peg systems are used for adjusting bone size, then size adjustment is achieved, but device complexity and difficulty of operation increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesize adjustmentVSAvoidcomplex system of holes and pegs

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

5Strength

If rigid bone replacements are used, then structural support is provided, but natural anatomical appearance and stability are not restored

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural supportVSAvoidnatural anatomical appearance

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a flexible foam core enclosed within a fabric cover to replace rigid bone structures. The foam material provides necessary structural support while remaining soft and flexible, allowing easy bending and customization to fit different body positions and anatomical regions. The fabric cover further enhances the natural appearance by providing a soft, skin-like exterior that can be molded to match surrounding anatomy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

6Shape

If additional bulk filling materials are added for restoration, then anatomical appearance is improved, but stability and pose control remain insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanatomical appearanceVSAvoidpose stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a flexible foam core enclosed within a fabric cover to replace rigid bone structures. The foam material provides necessary structural support while remaining soft and flexible, allowing easy bending and customization to fit different body positions and anatomical regions. The fabric cover further enhances the natural appearance by providing a soft, skin-like exterior that can be molded to match surrounding anatomy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 solution provides flexible, customizable, and cost-effective support that maintains natural anatomical positioning, reduces exposure to hazardous chemicals, and ensures clean burning and safe handling, addressing the limitations of existing solutions.

Implementation Method 1

fluid absorbent textile

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentUS11819414B2Prosthetic devices for a deceased human body and methods of use thereof

Publication Date: 2023.11.21 LDI SOLUTIONS LLC

AI summary

The present invention relates to the field of artificial prosthetic devices, which may more particularly be a bone replacement prosthesis, to be particularly disposed on or within, or otherwise used with, a deceased human body (e.g. corpse, cadaver).