Intramedullary Composite Bone Implant for Minimally Invasive Fracture Stabilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for treating bone fractures and fortifying bones are inadequate due to limitations in existing external and internal stabilizers, bone cements, and materials, which often interfere with daily activities, require invasive procedures, or fail to provide adequate tensile strength and durability.

Innovation Solution

A novel composite implant comprising a containment bag, reinforcing elements, and an injectable matrix material is used, which is assembled in situ within the bone to provide structural reinforcement, allowing for minimally invasive installation and customizable properties to suit individual needs, including varying lengths and mechanical strengths.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If external stabilizers (casts, braces) are used to treat bone fractures, then the bone is supported during healing, but the patient's normal daily activities are interfered with and soft tissue atrophies due to disuse

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebone support strengthVSAvoiddaily activity convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the stabilization function from external devices and relocates it to internal composite implants placed within the bone's intramedullary canal, eliminating the need for external casts and braces that interfere with daily activities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The composite implant acts as an intermediary structure within the bone, providing internal support that eliminates the need for external stabilizers while allowing normal soft tissue function and daily activities to continue

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If internal stabilizers (screws, plates, nails) are used to treat bone fractures, then more effective bone stabilization is achieved, but invasive surgical procedures are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefracture stabilizationVSAvoidsurgical procedure invasiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The composite implant is segmented into multiple deliverable components that can be inserted through a small access point and assembled in situ within the intramedullary canal, avoiding the need for invasive open surgery required by traditional internal stabilizers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The composite implant components are designed to be nested within each other during delivery through a catheter system, allowing minimally invasive insertion followed by expansion to the final configuration within the bone canal

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Strength

If brittle bone cements are used to stabilize bone, then compressive loading is withstood, but tensile loading cannot be withstood and catastrophic failure occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompressive strengthVSAvoidtensile strength and failure mode

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses composite materials combining polymer matrix with high-modulus fibers (such as glass, carbon, or aramid fibers) to create an implant that exhibits both compressive and tensile strength, eliminating the brittle failure mode of traditional bone cements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the material parameters from brittle ceramic/polymer cements to ductile composite materials with fiber reinforcement, fundamentally altering the stress-strain behavior to prevent catastrophic failure and enable tensile load bearing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Strength

If traditional materials are used for bone treatment, then structural support is provided, but customization for individual patient needs is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural supportVSAvoidcustomization capability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The composite implant allows dynamic adjustment of material composition, fiber orientation, and structural parameters to match the specific mechanical requirements of each patient's bone and fracture pattern, enabling personalized treatment optimization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11207109B2Method and apparatus for treating bone fractures, and/or for fortifying and/or augmenting bone, including the provision and use of composite implants, and novel composite structures which may be used for medical and non-medical applications

Publication Date: 2021.12.28 206 ORTHO

AI summary

A composite comprising: a barrier, said barrier being configured to selectively pass water, and said barrier being degradable in the presence of water; a matrix material for disposition within said barrier, wherein said matrix material has a flowable state and a set state, and wherein said matrix material is degradable in the presence of water; and at least one reinforcing element for disposition within said barrier and integration with said matrix material, wherein said at least one reinforcing element is degradable in the presence of water, and further wherein, upon the degradation of said at least one reinforcing element in the presence of water, provides an agent for modulating the degradation rate of said matrix material in the presence of water.