Ion-Substituted Bovine Hydroxyapatite for Stronger Bone Grafts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bone grafts, both synthetic and biologically derived, face issues of mechanical weakness and loss of natural architecture during processing, leading to ineffective bone regeneration and increased production costs.

Innovation Solution

Ion-substituted bovine-derived hydroxyapatite is developed through a novel process that maintains the natural porous network and enhances mechanical strength and biocompatibility by incorporating ions such as F, Si, Cl, carbonate, citrate, Na, K, Ag, Mn, Zn, Zr, Cu, Co, Fe, Au, B, Ba, Al, Bi, Mg, or Sr, using a sol-gel method and controlled sintering.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If synthetic hydroxyapatite is used for bone grafts, then production cost is reduced and modification is easier, but mechanical strength and effectiveness are weaker compared to naturally derived grafts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction costVSAvoidmechanical strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by incorporating specific ions (Si, F, Cl, carbonate, citrate, Na, K, Ag, Mn, Zn, Zr, Cu, Co, Fe, Au, B, Ba, Al, Bi, Mg, or Sr) into the hydroxyapatite lattice structure. This ionic substitution modifies the physical and chemical parameters of the material, enhancing its mechanical strength and biological effectiveness while maintaining cost-effectiveness. The ion substitution process changes the compositional parameters of hydroxyapatite to achieve superior properties without requiring expensive natural bone sources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates composite materials by combining hydroxyapatite with various ions and elements. The resulting ion-substituted hydroxyapatite acts as a composite structure where different ions are incorporated into the hydroxyapatite lattice, creating a material that combines the benefits of synthetic availability with enhanced mechanical and biological properties, effectively bridging the gap between cost and performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If naturally derived bone grafts are used, then mechanical strength and biocompatibility are improved, but production cost increases and processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the parameters of synthetic hydroxyapatite through ion substitution to achieve properties similar to naturally derived grafts. By adjusting ionic composition and concentration, the material attains enhanced mechanical strength and biocompatibility without requiring expensive natural bone sources, thus reducing production costs while maintaining high performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by incorporating specific ions at particular locations within the hydroxyapatite lattice structure. Different ions are substituted at specific sites to optimize local properties such as mechanical strength, biocompatibility, and osteoconductivity in different regions of the bone graft, allowing targeted enhancement of properties without increasing overall production cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If high temperature sintering is used to process bovine bone, then crystallinity and prion deactivation are improved, but energy consumption and production cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprion deactivationVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the thermal processing parameters by using controlled sintering at optimized temperatures rather than consistently high temperature processing. This parameter optimization achieves prion deactivation and crystallinity enhancement while reducing energy consumption. The ion substitution process allows for lower sintering temperatures to achieve the same biological safety and structural integrity, directly reducing energy usage and production costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 ion-substituted bovine hydroxyapatite retains the natural architecture, improves mechanical properties, and enhances biocompatibility, reducing healing time and minimizing bodily reactions, while being cost-effective compared to existing products.

Implementation Method 1

using a sol-gel method and controlled sintering

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSol-gel method: Sol

Implementation Method 2

using a sol-gel method and controlled sintering

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSintering: Sintering

Data Source

PatentUS12539350B2Ion-substituted bovine hydroxyapatite for bone regeneration

Publication Date: 2026.02.03 SHREY DHAWAN

AI summary

The present invention relates an ion substituted bovine-derived hydroxyapatite (ion substituted BHA) with at least one type of ion selected from F, Si, Cl, carbonate, citrate, Na, K, Ag, Mn, Zn, Zr, Cu, Co, Fe, Au, B, Ba, Al, Bi, Mg or Sr, or combinations thereof. The modified BHA by ionic doping augments the strength and biocompatibility of the bone graft, reduces healing time, and have a minimal reaction in the body after surgery. The various aspects of the ion-substituted BHA of the present invention have been described along with the FIGS. 1 to 50. The present invention also relates to a process of preparing the ion substituted bovine-derived hydroxyapatite. The invention further relates to a scaffold comprising the ion-substituted bovine-derived hydroxyapatite.