Interconnected Bone Implant Members for Cavity Filling

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bone replacement materials struggle to effectively fill and close bone cavities, especially in cases of osteoporosis and tumors, due to their rigid nature and difficulty in intraoperative adaptation, leading to incomplete filling and residual hollow spaces.

Innovation Solution

A medical product comprising interconnected members with interlocking boundaries, forming a three-dimensional structure with a multilayer construction, allowing for limited mobility and osteoinductive porosity, which can be implanted in bone cavities and securely fixed using screw fixation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If solid artificial bone replacement materials (metallic or cement-type) are used, then structural stability and load-bearing properties are improved, but intraoperative adaptability and complete filling of bone cavities deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload-bearing propertiesVSAvoidintraoperative adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The bone replacement material is divided into multiple individual members (e.g., struts, rods, or blocks) that can be independently positioned and interconnected. This segmentation allows the material to be adapted to various bone cavity shapes and sizes during surgery, while maintaining structural integrity through interconnection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bone replacement structure transitions from a static, pre-formed solid shape to a dynamic, reconfigurable assembly of interconnected members. The members can be adjusted, positioned, and secured in different configurations to match the specific requirements of the bone cavity, enabling complete filling even in complex geometries.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If powdered bone replacement materials are used, then ease of placement in bone cavities with small access openings is improved, but load-bearing properties deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of placementVSAvoidload-bearing properties

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The bone replacement system provides different properties in different locations: individual members can be positioned to provide structural support and load-bearing capacity where needed, while the interconnected porous structure maintains ease of placement. The local arrangement of members creates zones of high strength and zones optimized for insertion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention combines the advantages of both solid structural materials and porous materials by creating an interconnected member structure that provides mechanical strength while maintaining porosity for bone ingrowth. This composite-like structure integrates the load-bearing capability of solid materials with the bone-friendly porosity of porous materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of manufacture

If generic bone replacement materials are used, then availability and ease of use are improved, but complete filling of bone cavities with internal undercuts deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveavailabilityVSAvoidcomplete filling capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The bone replacement material is divided into multiple individual members (e.g., struts, rods, or blocks) that can be independently positioned and interconnected. This segmentation allows the material to be adapted to various bone cavity shapes and sizes during surgery, while maintaining structural integrity through interconnection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bone replacement structure transitions from a static, pre-formed solid shape to a dynamic, reconfigurable assembly of interconnected members. The members can be adjusted, positioned, and secured in different configurations to match the specific requirements of the bone cavity, enabling complete filling even in complex geometries.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12290442B2Medical product and medical kit for use when treating a bone cavity, in particular for use when filling and/or closing a bone cavity

Publication Date: 2025.05.06 AESCULAP AG

AI summary

A medical product, preferably for use in treating, in particular filling and/or closing a bone cavity, wherein the product comprises a plurality of interconnected members, wherein each member has a peripheral boundary and the boundaries of adjacent members engage with one another. And a method for producing a medical product, preferably for use in treating, in particular filling and/or closing a bone cavity, wherein the product comprises a plurality of interconnected members, wherein each member has a peripheral boundary and the boundaries of adjacent members engage with one another.