Soluble Keratin Bone Void Filler for Osteogenic Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bone void filling materials fail to provide stability, promote bone formation, and deliver beneficial agents effectively, while also being easy to handle and sterilize.
Innovation Solution
Development of materials comprising soluble keratin protein in forms such as putty, gel, or emulsion, which can include additional components like ceramics, growth factors, and demineralized bone matrix, to fill bone voids, enhance bone formation, and serve as carriers for other beneficial agents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing bone void filling materials are used, then the void can be filled to provide stability, but the materials fail to effectively promote bone formation and deliver beneficial agents
Solution Approach 1:
The keratin-based material is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural stability as a void filler, promotes bone formation through osteogenic and osteoinductive properties, and delivers beneficial agents through its carrier capacity. This multi-functional keratin composition resolves the contradiction by integrating what were previously separate functions into a single versatile material system.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite materials by combining keratin with various beneficial agents (growth factors, ceramics, demineralized bone matrix) to create a material that simultaneously provides structural support and biological activity. The composite structure allows the material to fulfill multiple roles: the keratin provides the matrix and stability, while the incorporated agents provide bone formation promotion and additional therapeutic benefits.
2Ease of operation
If a material is made moldable for easy handling, then ease of operation improves, but the material may fail to stay together when shaped or rinsed
Solution Approach 1:
The keratin material exhibits dynamic properties that allow it to transition between moldable and shape-retaining states. The material can be softened for molding during surgical application, then naturally regains its structural integrity and shape memory after placement, providing both ease of operation and shape retention without requiring separate materials for each phase.
3Reliability
If the material includes additional components like ceramics and growth factors to enhance bone formation, then bone formation capability improves, but the material complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple bone-enhancing components (ceramics, growth factors, demineralized bone matrix) into a single integrated keratin-based composite material. This consolidation allows the material to provide enhanced bone formation capabilities while simplifying the overall treatment protocol, as the combined material can be applied as a single unit rather than requiring separate application of multiple components.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a material for use as bone void filler comprising soluble keratin protein. The material may be in the form of a putty, gel or emulsion. Additional components may be added to the material to improve handling characteristics and bone enhancement capabilities. The material may be formulated to serve as a suitable carrier for demineralized bone matrix. This invention also describes methods for making the material.