Magnesium Mesh with Geometric Features for Progressive Bioabsorption
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current dental bone grafting procedures face challenges with form-stable barrier membranes and meshes that require invasive removal and have high complication rates, especially in cases of significant bone loss or comorbidities, leading to unpredictable outcomes and the need for revision procedures.
Innovation Solution
A magnesium mesh with a geometric design featuring fixation and non-fixation point openings of varying sizes to promote progressive corrosion and absorption, ensuring structural stability and eliminating the need for device removal, while maintaining optimal bone healing and reducing revision procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If form-stable barrier membranes or meshes are used to protect the healing site, then mechanical protection is improved, but invasive removal procedure is required and complication rates increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the degradation rate of magnesium through geometric design features. The mesh maintains mechanical strength during the healing period through its structural design, then progressively degrades without requiring removal. This transforms the device from a permanent implant requiring surgical removal to a temporary scaffold that naturally dissolves, eliminating the second surgery while maintaining protective function.
2Ease of operation
If magnesium mesh absorbs progressively, then device removal is eliminated, but structural stability may be compromised in high stress areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the geometric design features at different locations of the mesh. High-stress areas such as fixation points and sharp intersections have modified geometries that slow absorption rates, maintaining structural stability where needed. Low-stress areas absorb more rapidly, facilitating overall device degradation. This spatial variation in absorption characteristics resolves the contradiction between maintaining strength and enabling removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The mesh is segmented into different functional zones with distinct geometric features. Fixation points, connecting features, and mesh bodies have different geometries that control localized absorption rates. This segmentation allows the device to maintain structural integrity at critical locations while degrading overall, balancing stability and absorbability.
3Ease of manufacture
If uniform geometric design is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but absorption rate cannot be controlled progressively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality through non-uniform geometric design features distributed throughout the mesh structure. Different regions have varying feature sizes, shapes, and densities that control localized absorption rates. This design maintains relative manufacturing simplicity while achieving progressive absorption control, as the variations can be incorporated into standard manufacturing processes.
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 mesh provides stable bone regeneration by controlling absorption rates, maintaining structural integrity during the healing process and reducing the likelihood of revision procedures, thereby improving success rates and minimizing morbidity and time associated with device removal.
Implementation Method 1
Magnesium's in situ absorption mechanism of surface corrosion requires unique design features not incorporated into non-resorbable meshes or polymers with bulk absorption properties
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to dental bone grafting devices and magnesium meshes having features that are designed to corrode and/or absorb progressively, e.g., in stages, in order to improve dental bone regeneration, as well as methods for preparing the meshes. The meshes include a framework, and a geometric design is formed within the framework that includes design features. The geometric design and design features are selected and manipulated to provide the progressive corrosion and/or absorption profile of the mesh.