Hip Prosthesis End Cap Coil for Infection Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hip joint prostheses face challenges with biological recovery due to interference with blood vessels and nerves, leading to increased risk of infection from drug-resistant bacteria, as they can colonize on metal implants and resist antibiotics, and there is a need to improve manageability, usability, and therapeutic efficacy.
Innovation Solution
The hip joint prosthesis incorporates an end cap assembly with a coil assembly connected to electrodes, allowing for magnetically induced electro-osteotherapy, which reduces infection risk by enhancing blood flow and immune response, and includes a drug reservoir for local antibiosis, with the option of using conventional or electrically enhanced end caps to prevent tissue ingrowth and facilitate explantation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a metal implant is used to replace tissue, then mechanical support function is provided, but biological recovery is interfered with due to loss of blood vessels and nerves
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of a coil assembly and electrode that generates electric fields to mediate between the implant and biological tissue. This intermediary electric field stimulation promotes blood vessel formation and nerve regeneration, allowing biological recovery to proceed despite the presence of the metal implant blocking natural tissue continuity
2Duration of action of stationary object
If an implant is implanted for long-term support, then mechanical stability is maintained, but the risk of infection by drug-resistant bacteria increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by using electric field stimulation to prevent bacterial colonization before infections can establish. The electric fields stimulate immune response and create an environment hostile to bacterial growth, particularly targeting drug-resistant bacteria like MRSA, thereby preventing infection rather than treating it after occurrence
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the electrical parameters of the implant surface by applying external magnetic fields that induce electric currents through the conductive coil assembly. These parameter changes in electric potential and current density create conditions that inhibit bacterial adhesion and promote antimicrobial peptide activity, reducing infection risk over long-term implantation
3Reliability
If bacteria colonize the implant surface, then antibiotic resistance is developed, but the mucous layer of polysaccharides protects the bacteria
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical/chemical antibiotic treatment with an electric field-based mechanism to combat bacterial protection. The induced electric fields directly interact with the bacterial mucous layer and cell membranes, disrupting their protective structures through electrodynamic effects rather than relying on chemical antibiotics that bacteria have developed resistance against
4Ease of repair
If an end cap assembly is added to prevent tissue ingrowth, then explantation becomes easier, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by designing the end cap assembly to serve multiple purposes: it prevents soft tissue ingrowth to facilitate future explantation, houses the coil assembly for electromagnetic induction, provides a mounting surface for electrodes, and creates a sealed hollow space. This consolidation of multiple functions into a single component adds functionality without proportionally increasing complexity
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 reduces the risk of infection, prevents bacterial adhesion, and supports biological recovery by inducing bactericidally effective electric fields and localized antibiotic delivery, making the prosthesis suitable for sterilizing and regenerating infected joint replacements.
Implementation Method 1
the transmission technique functions according to the transformer principle: the injured or ill body region is flooded by an extremely low-frequency sinusoidally extending magnetic field... which is generated by a function generator in one or more—primary—outer current coils
Implementation Method 2
the pick-up coil wound around an iron core is located
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a hip joint prosthesis comprising a shaft-like section that can be inserted into a femur, and a proximally arranged end cap assembly which closes a hollow space of the hip joint prosthesis. According to the invention the end cap assembly carries a coil assembly that is connected to a first electrode with a first pole and to a second electrode with a second pole. The first and the second electrodes enclose surfaces of the hip joint prosthesis, and in a state in which the end cap assembly closes the hollow space of the hip joint prosthesis, the coil assembly is predominantly arranged in the hollow space.