Laser-Modified Bone Implant Surface for Electrical Conductivity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Metal and hard plastic implants often have surface structures that hinder new bone growth, and non-conductive materials like plastics and allograft bone implants lack electrical conductivity to respond to natural low voltage stimulation, making it difficult to achieve stable integration with the skeletal structure.

Innovation Solution

A non-conductive implant device with exposed surfaces is made electrically conductive by energy exposure, forming conductive carbon paths or patterns that enhance bone growth, using a laser or other energy sources to create channels up to several microns deep, allowing for low voltage stimulation and improved integration with the skeletal structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If non-conductive materials like plastics and allograft bone implants are used, then the implant can be made with specific strength and structure, but the implant lacks electrical conductivity to respond to natural low voltage stimulation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical conductivityVSAvoidresponse to natural stimulation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating conductive pathways only at specific locations on the implant surface where bone contact is needed, rather than making the entire implant conductive. The laser treatment modifies only the surface regions that interface with bone tissue, preserving the non-conductive bulk material properties while adding localized conductivity where it enhances bone growth and electrical response.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite structure by combining non-conductive base material (plastic or allograft bone) with conductive pathways formed through laser treatment. The laser-induced carbonized tracks create conductive channels within the non-conductive matrix, forming a composite material system that exhibits both mechanical strength and electrical conductivity properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If metal implants are used to achieve electrical conductivity, then the implant can respond to electrical stimulation, but the surface structure is often adverse to bone formation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical conductivityVSAvoidsurface adverse to bone formation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses local quality by applying conductive treatment only to the surface regions that contact bone, rather than making the entire implant surface conductive. The laser-created conductive pathways are localized to specific zones where electrical stimulation is beneficial, while other surface areas maintain their original bone-friendly morphology.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite surface structure where non-conductive base material with bone-friendly surface morphology is combined with laser-induced conductive pathways. This composite approach allows the implant to simultaneously achieve electrical conductivity for stimulation response and maintain surface properties conducive to bone formation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Area of stationary object

If surface area is enhanced by blasting or etching, then the interface with bone structure is improved, but the surface structure becomes adverse to bone formation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface areaVSAvoidsurface adverse to bone formation

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by differentiating surface treatments across different regions. The laser treatment creates conductive pathways with specific surface characteristics in localized areas, while other regions maintain surface morphology optimized for bone attachment. This allows simultaneous achievement of conductivity and bone-friendliness in different zones.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 enhanced implant device promotes rapid new bone formation and stable integration by creating conductive pathways that react to natural electrical signals, improving healing time and securing the implant within the skeletal structure.

Implementation Method 1

an energy exposure wherein portions of the exposed or exterior surfaces are transformed by the energy exposure to attain the electrical conductivity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser ablation: Laser Ablation

Implementation Method 2

portions of the exposed or exterior surfaces are transformed by the energy exposure to attain the electrical conductivity... formation of conductive carbon paths or patterns

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPyrolysis: Pyrolysis

Data Source

PatentUS8679189B1Bone growth enhancing implant

Publication Date: 2014.03.25 AEROSPACE CORP

AI summary

An implant device having a non-conductive base structure with at least two exposed or exterior surfaces wherein at least one of the exposed or exterior surfaces has attained electrical conductivity on at least portions of the surface by an energy exposure wherein portions of the exposed or exterior surfaces are transformed by the energy exposure to attain the electrical conductivity.