Magnesium Implant with Anodized Surface for Controlled Degradation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current implants, particularly those made of titanium, face issues such as foreign body reaction, inflammation, and the need for revision surgeries due to their non-resorbable nature, while biodegradable magnesium implants struggle with rapid degradation and inflammation due to hydrogen gas release, leading to complications like refractures and cell death.
Innovation Solution
A magnesium implant with a macrostructure featuring channels and a microstructured surface, including a calcium phosphate or oxide layer, treated by anodization or plasma-chemical anodization, to control degradation and enhance biocompatibility, mechanical strength, and nutrient supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If non-resorbable implants made of titanium are used, then durability and mechanical strength are improved, but foreign body reaction, inflammation, and need for revision surgeries occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the disposable principle by using biodegradable magnesium implants that are designed to degrade over time and be replaced by natural bone tissue. The implant serves its mechanical support function temporarily during the healing process, then degrades harmlessly, eliminating the need for revision surgeries and removing foreign body reactions associated with permanent implants.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the degradation rate of magnesium implants through surface modifications, alloy composition adjustments, and microstructure optimization. These parameter changes allow the implant to maintain mechanical strength during the critical healing period while ensuring complete degradation afterward, resolving the contradiction between durability and biocompatibility.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If biodegradable magnesium implants are used, then biocompatibility and bone-like strength are improved, but rapid degradation and hydrogen gas release occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing surface modifications and creating protective layers on the magnesium implant before implantation. These preliminary treatments slow down the degradation rate and reduce hydrogen gas release, allowing the implant to maintain its mechanical function throughout the bone healing process while ensuring complete biodegradation eventually.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting alloy composition, microstructure, and surface properties to control the degradation rate. These parameter modifications enable the implant to degrade at an optimal rate that matches bone formation, preventing both premature failure and excessive hydrogen gas release while maintaining biocompatibility.
3Strength
If dense resorbable material is used to seal cavities, then structural integrity is improved, but inflammation and necrosis develop due to lack of transport mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies porous materials by creating a porous structure within the magnesium implant that provides mechanical support while enabling nutrient and waste transport. This porous architecture maintains structural integrity for load-bearing functions while allowing biological exchange, preventing inflammation and necrosis that would occur with dense sealing materials.
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 implant design allows for controlled degradation matching bone formation, reducing the need for revision surgeries, minimizing inflammation, and maintaining mechanical stability, thus promoting effective bone healing and patient comfort.
Implementation Method 1
treated by anodization or plasma-chemical anodization
Implementation Method 2
a surface of the implant is microstructured, wherein the surface has a calcium phosphate layer and/or an oxide layer
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2f
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The implant has an implant body made of magnesium or magnesium alloy and including a macrostructure that is designed in the form of channels (4-6). The channels are extended in axial directions, and include a round, elliptical or rectangular cross-section and width and/or height of approximately ranging from 100 to 1500 micrometer preferably 500 to 700 micrometer. A surface of the implant includes a set of layers selected from calcium phosphate layer and/or oxide layer, where the surface includes pores with diameter of 0.1 to 50 micrometer preferably 2 to 5 micrometer. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a component set for joining components to produce a macrostructure for a basic body of an implant (2) a method for producing an implant (3) a device for producing an implant.