Artificial Meniscus Fiber Bundle Orientation for Radial Strength

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current meniscal implants face challenges such as delamination, extrusion, and inadequate mechanical strength due to insufficient fiber integration and reinforcement layout, leading to limited durability and increased risk of cartilage damage in high-load environments like the knee joint.

Innovation Solution

The development of an artificial meniscus with hydrophilic fibers fully encapsulated in a hydrogel matrix, featuring specifically oriented circumferential and non-circumferential fiber bundles that convert compressive loads into tensile hoop stresses, enhancing radial strength and preventing radial deformation, along with a polymer material that penetrates individual fibers for improved interfacial adhesion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If fiber bundles are embedded in polymer material for meniscal implant reinforcement, then mechanical strength and radial resistance are improved, but delamination and interfacial adhesion issues occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoiddelamination resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical and physical parameters of the polymer material by making it hydrophilic and capable of penetrating individual fibers. This parameter change enables the polymer to form strong interfacial adhesion with the fiber bundles while preventing delamination, thus resolving the contradiction between mechanical strength and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite material system where hydrophilic fiber bundles are embedded in a hydrophilic polymer matrix. This composite structure combines the tensile strength of fibers with the adhesive and radial resistance properties of the polymer, achieving both mechanical strength and delamination resistance through material composition rather than simple embedding.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If circumferential fiber bundles are used to resist radial displacement, then radial strength is improved, but complex fiber orientation and integration are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradial strengthVSAvoidfiber orientation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing different fiber orientations in different regions of the meniscal implant. Circumferential fiber bundles are concentrated in regions requiring radial resistance, while other regions may have different fiber configurations. This localized optimization achieves high radial strength without requiring complex fiber orientation throughout the entire implant.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If polymer material penetrates individual fibers for improved adhesion, then interfacial adhesion is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterfacial adhesionVSAvoidfiber penetration precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs self-service by allowing the hydrophilic polymer material to naturally penetrate and adhere to the fiber bundles through its inherent physical and chemical properties. The hydrophilic nature of both the polymer and fibers creates spontaneous adhesion without requiring precise external control or complex manufacturing processes, thus achieving high interfacial adhesion while minimizing manufacturing precision requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 artificial meniscus demonstrates enhanced mechanical properties, including sustained tensile loads, reduced delamination risk, and improved resistance to radial extrusion, effectively mimicking the natural meniscus's mechanical behavior and reducing the risk of cartilage damage.

Implementation Method 1

a polymer material that penetrates individual fibers for improved interfacial adhesion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 2

specifically oriented circumferential and non-circumferential fiber bundles that convert compressive loads into tensile hoop stresses, enhancing radial strength

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical force transformation: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS11813168B2Artificial meniscus including circumferential and non-circumferential fiber bundles

Publication Date: 2023.11.14 GEORGIA TECH RES CORP

AI summary

Embodiments of an artificial meniscus are disclosed herein. An artificial meniscus includes at least one circumferential fiber bundle and the at least one non-circumferential fiber bundle embedded in a polymer material. The non-circumferential fiber bundles are fully encapsulated within the polymer material, and the circumferential fiber bundles extend out of anterior and posterior horns of the artificial meniscus to terminate in ends that are configured for fixation to bone. Methods of making and implanting artificial menisci are also disclosed herein. The methods of making include, but are not limited to, stepwise molding, layering, and curing of polymer material around the circumferential and non-circumferential fiber bundles. The methods of implanting include threading ends of the circumferential fiber bundles through first and second bone tunnels, then immobilizing the ends of the circumferential fiber bundles with respect to the bone of the subject.