Biodegradable Magnesium Bone Screw for Stable Implantation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current biodegradable bone screws made of magnesium alloys face issues with breakage and alignment during implantation due to their softness and limited corrosion resistance, which can hinder bone stabilization and healing.
Innovation Solution
Designing a biodegradable magnesium-containing bone screw with a tapered head and shaft featuring a threaded profile with a specific thread angle, allowing for easier alignment and placement, and facilitating targeted magnesium ion release for enhanced bone formation and osteointegration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If magnesium alloy is used for biodegradable bone screws, then the material degrades over time eliminating the need for surgical removal, but the screw becomes softer and more prone to breakage during implantation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs magnesium alloy as a composite biodegradable material that combines the benefits of degradation with improved mechanical properties through alloying elements, creating a material that maintains sufficient strength during implantation while degrading over time to eliminate secondary surgery
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of magnesium by adding alloying elements (such as zinc, calcium, strontium) to change the material's mechanical properties, specifically improving strength and corrosion resistance while maintaining biodegradability
2Duration of action of stationary object
If magnesium alloy bone screws are used, then surgical removal is precluded due to biodegradation, but the screws are difficult to place and align during implantation due to softness
Solution Approach 1:
The magnesium alloy composition is engineered to provide optimal balance between softness for easy insertion and sufficient strength for handling, allowing the screw to be easily placed and aligned while maintaining structural integrity during the implantation process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different surface treatments or coatings to specific regions of the screw to enhance local properties such as friction, grip, or corrosion resistance at critical areas like threads and head, improving ease of implantation without compromising overall biodegradability
3Object-affected harmful factors
If magnesium alloy is used for bone screws, then the material is non-toxic and degrades to soluble corrosion hydroxide, but the corrosion resistance is limited during the implantation period
Solution Approach 1:
The magnesium alloy is formulated as a composite material where alloying elements enhance corrosion resistance by forming protective phases or modifying the corrosion mechanism, while the degradation products remain non-toxic and biocompatible
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the naturally high reactivity of magnesium, which normally causes rapid corrosion, into a beneficial controlled degradation process by using alloying elements to moderate the corrosion rate, ensuring the screw maintains strength during implantation while degrading at a controlled rate to release non-toxic products
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 novel bone screw design reduces breakage and improves alignment, maintaining fracture stability while degrading to release magnesium ions, which stimulates localized bone formation and enhances healing without compromising fixation or stabilization.
Implementation Method 1
magnesium degrades to produce a soluble, non-toxic corrosion hydroxide product which is harmlessly excreted through urine
Implementation Method 2
this release of magnesium ions in a specific location may be effective to stimulate localized bone formation and to enhance osteointegration and healing
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a biodegradable, magnesium-containing bone screw for implanting into a patient body for use in medical applications, such as, orthopedic and craniofacial surgery. The bone screw has a tapered head, a threaded shaft and pointed tip. The composition of the bone screws provide for improved biodegradability and biocompatibility, and the features of the structure of the bone screws facilitates guidance and placement during implantation as well as reduces the potential for mechanical failures. Moreover, the bone screws are effective to provide targeted release of magnesium ions resulting in enhanced new bone formation.