Hydrogel Implant Anchoring Elements for Tissue Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current implantable tissue repair devices face challenges such as failure to securely anchor to bone or cartilage, integration issues, structural deterioration, and inability to maintain shape under load, leading to loosening or separation from the anchor.

Innovation Solution

An implantable tissue repair device comprising a biocompatible hydrogel body with integrally formed anchoring elements, a fibre network, and a rigid support, designed to securely anchor to tissue, resist shape change, and promote integration with existing bone or cartilage, using silk fibroin hydrogel and a fibre network to mimic natural tissue properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional implantable tissue repair devices are used, then the device can be implanted to repair tissue, but the device fails to securely anchor to bone or cartilage and may loosen or separate over time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanchoring reliabilityVSAvoiddevice retention duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into distinct functional components: a body portion for tissue repair and separate anchoring elements for secure fixation. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while working together as an integrated system, resolving the contradiction between providing tissue repair capability and maintaining secure anchoring over time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The anchoring elements are integrally formed with the device body as a single unit, merging the anchoring function with the tissue repair function. This integration ensures that the anchoring elements remain permanently attached to the device, preventing loosening or separation while maintaining secure fixation to bone or cartilage throughout the device's service life

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the device uses soft hydrogel material for biocompatibility, then the device integrates well with tissue, but the device cannot maintain its shape under load

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue integrationVSAvoidshape stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The device combines soft hydrogel material with a rigid fibre network in a composite structure. The hydrogel provides biocompatibility and tissue integration, while the rigid fibre network provides structural support and shape stability. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by allowing each material to contribute its advantageous properties to the overall device performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the device have different material properties: the body portion uses soft hydrogel for tissue integration, while the anchoring elements and structural framework use rigid fibres for shape stability and load bearing. This local differentiation of material properties allows the device to simultaneously achieve tissue compatibility and structural integrity under load

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Stability of the object's composition

If the device structure is made rigid to maintain shape, then the device resists structural deterioration, but the device cannot integrate well with flexible tissue

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidtissue compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The device employs a composite structure where rigid fibres provide structural stability and resistance to deterioration, while soft hydrogel material provides tissue compatibility and flexibility. The synergistic combination of these contrasting materials allows the device to simultaneously achieve structural integrity and biological compatibility, resolving the contradiction between stability and adaptability

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

The device provides enhanced load-bearing capabilities, improved integration with bone or cartilage, resistance to structural deterioration, and maintains its shape over time, allowing for effective tissue repair and replacement while encouraging autologous collagen and proteoglycan infiltration.

Implementation Method 1

a body (4) which comprises a biocompatible hydrogel; and a plurality of tissue anchoring elements (6) projecting from the body (4)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrogel: Hydrogel

Implementation Method 2

The device may further comprise a fibre network (8), (10) located within the body (4), (6) and/or the anchoring elements (6)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFibre reinforcement:

Implementation Method 3

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPorosity: Porosity

Data Source

PatentUS11717410B2Implantable tissue repair devices

Publication Date: 2023.08.08 ORTHOX LTD

AI summary

An implantable tissue repair device containing a body having a biocompatible hydrogel and a plurality of tissue anchoring elements projecting from the body, where the anchoring elements are integrally formed with the body and have the same biocompatible hydrogel as the body, and the anchoring elements, in use, are arranged to enter apertures in a tissue and anchor the device to the tissue.