Magnesium Fixation Nail for Bone Augmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fixation methods for covering membranes in bone augmentation and dental implant procedures require surgical removal of non-resorbable materials, causing irritation and additional surgical interventions, whereas current resorbable options face challenges in mechanical stability and deep penetration during bone prosthesis placement.
Innovation Solution
A biocompatible and biocorrodible magnesium-based fixation nail with a wide head and thick, barbed pin, designed for secure anchoring and complete resorption during the healing process, ensuring firm fixation without the need for surgical removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If non-resorbable fixation nails (titanium or stainless steel) are used to secure covering membranes, then mechanical stability and secure fixation are achieved, but surgical removal is required after healing causing irritation and additional intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from non-resorbable metals (titanium, stainless steel) to resorbable magnesium alloy, transforming the fixation nail from permanent to temporary. This allows the nail to maintain mechanical strength during healing then gradually degrade and be absorbed by the body, eliminating the need for surgical removal while providing bone formation promotion through magnesium ions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the disposable principle by designing a fixation nail that serves its purpose temporarily during the healing period (6-12 weeks) and then degrades completely. The magnesium alloy nail is intentionally designed as a short-living implant that fulfills its mechanical support function and then disappears through resorption, avoiding long-term presence in the body
2Object-affected harmful factors
If resorbable fixation nails are used to avoid surgical removal, then surgical irritation is reduced, but mechanical stability and deep penetration capability are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite material design by combining magnesium alloy with specific mechanical properties and surface characteristics that enable both resorbability and adequate mechanical strength. The magnesium-based alloy is engineered to provide sufficient strength for initial fixation while maintaining the ability to degrade controllably over time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the magnesium alloy composition and nail geometry parameters to achieve the right balance between mechanical strength and resorbability. By adjusting alloy composition and nail dimensions, the fixation device provides adequate mechanical stability during the critical healing period while ensuring complete resorption afterward
3Reliability
If the nail pin is made thick and barbed for secure anchoring, then fixation reliability is improved, but the risk of deep penetration into bone tissue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating spatial variation in the nail structure: the pin portion features barbs for enhanced anchoring reliability, while the head portion is designed wide and flat to act as a stopper. This local differentiation ensures secure fixation through the barbed pin while preventing deep penetration through the broad head that rests on the membrane surface
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the fixation nail into functionally distinct parts: a barbed pin section for anchoring in the membrane and a wide head section for preventing over-penetration. This segmentation allows each part to fulfill its specific function - the barbed pin provides fixation reliability while the wide head limits penetration depth
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 magnesium nail provides stable fixation and promotes bone healing by resorbing with the membrane, eliminating the need for surgical removal and enhancing bone formation, while ensuring mechanical stability and preventing deep penetration.
Implementation Method 1
A biocompatible and biocorrodible magnesium-based fixation nail with a wide head and thick, barbed pin, designed for secure anchoring and complete resorption during the healing process
Implementation Method 2
Magnesium also has a bone formation-promoting effect (Switzer, E.N., Resorbable metallic osteosynthesis material. Investigations on resorption behavior in the guinea pig model, dissertation, Veterinary University of Hanover, 2005). It is also known that the magnesium ions released during absorption stimulate bone formation (WO 2015/133963 A)
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a fixation nail for temporarily securing transplantable tissue, bone parts, and bone replacement substances using a cover or for securing natural or artificial bone replacement parts to bones. The fixation nail has a round flat nail head with a diameter of 0.50 to 6.0 mm, and the thickness of the nail head is 0.10 to 2.0 mm. The fixation nail has a nail pin which is formed with a sharp tip, and the pin has a length between 0.5 times to 2 times the diameter of the nail head and a thickness between 0.15 times to 0.5 times the diameter of the nail head. The fixation nail consists of a biocompatible, biocorrodable magnesium alloy which is composed of at least 90 wt.% metal magnesium and contains less than 0.1 wt.% aluminum, less than 0.1 wt.% copper, less than 0.1 wt.% iron, and less than 0.1 wt.% nickel as physiologically undesirable impurities.