Medical Chain Net for Bone Defect Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current solutions for treating bone defects lack mechanical stability beyond a defined curvature and often require rigid or flexible structures that do not adapt well to individual bone shapes.

Innovation Solution

A medical product comprising a chain mesh with individual links divided into connecting links and main links, forming a flat grid structure that can be curved in the z-direction, providing adaptability and mechanical stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a rigid scaffold is used to provide mechanical stability, then strength is improved, but adaptability to individual bone shapes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical stabilityVSAvoidadaptability to bone shape
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The scaffold is divided into multiple individual links connected together, allowing each link to maintain structural integrity while the overall structure can adapt to complex bone geometries through the articulated connections between links

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The chain mail structure allows dynamic adjustment of the scaffold configuration, enabling it to transition from a flexible state during implantation to a stable state once positioned, providing both adaptability and mechanical strength

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If a flexible lattice structure is used to adapt to bone shapes, then adaptability is improved, but mechanical stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to bone shapeVSAvoidmechanical stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The scaffold combines features of both flexible and rigid structures through the chain mail design, where individual links provide structural strength while the articulated connections enable flexibility and adaptability to bone contours

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Device complexity

If all links are designed the same for simplicity, then device complexity is reduced, but mechanical stability beyond defined curvature deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelink design uniformityVSAvoidmechanical stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Different links in the chain mail structure are designed with different geometries and connection characteristics to provide localized mechanical properties, allowing the scaffold to maintain stability across various curvature ranges while adapting to complex bone shapes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3886744B1Medical chain net
Publication Date: 2025.05.28 AESCULAP AG
  • EP3886744B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3886744B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3886744B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a medical product (1), preferably in the form of a chain net for use during the treatment, more particularly during filling and/or closing, of a bone defect, having a plurality of individual elements (2), which are connected to one another such that individual elements (2) adjacent to one another engage in one another/are chained to one another, the individual elements (2) of the chain net being subdivided into main elements (3) and connection elements (4) that are designed differently from the main elements (3), and the main elements (3) and the connection elements (4) forming, when chained to one another, a grid structure that is flat in the x-y plane.