Composite Meniscus Scaffold With Protected Bone Fixation Fibers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current meniscus replacement methods, including synthetic polymer scaffolds and collagen-based implants, fail to provide a reliable and mechanically suitable substitute for the meniscus, often leading to inconsistent fibrocartilage growth and damage to reinforcing fibers during surgical fixation.

Innovation Solution

An artificial meniscal scaffold with circumferential and orthogonal bioresorbable fibers embedded in an arcuate matrix, featuring protected attachment segments with polymer coatings, wound fibers, sleeves, apertures, or anchoring components to prevent fiber damage during implantation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If existing metal or polymeric interference screws are used to secure attachment segments into bone tunnels, then fixation is achieved, but the fibers may be damaged (nicked or cut) during surgical fixation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixation strengthVSAvoidfiber damage

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by providing a protective covering on the attachment segments before surgical implantation. This protective layer acts as a cushion that prevents direct contact between the interference screw and the embedded fibers, thereby preventing fiber damage during the fixation process while still allowing secure attachment to the bone tunnel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary protective covering between the interference screw and the embedded fibers. This intermediary layer mediates the interaction during surgical fixation, allowing the screw to secure the attachment segment to the bone tunnel without directly contacting and damaging the delicate fibers embedded within the attachment segment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If synthetic polymer scaffolds are used to replace the meniscus, then structural support is provided, but fibrocartilage growth is inconsistent and the underlying cartilage protection varies

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural supportVSAvoidfibrocartilage growth consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite materials by combining synthetic polymer scaffolds with biological components (collagen, hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate) to create a hybrid implant. This composite structure provides the mechanical strength and structural support of synthetic materials while incorporating bioactive components that promote consistent fibrocartilage growth and protect the underlying cartilage, thereby resolving the reliability issues of pure synthetic scaffolds.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by creating regions with different material properties within the implant. The synthetic polymer portions provide structural support and mechanical strength, while the collagen-hyaluronic acid-chondroitin sulfate regions provide bioactivity for consistent fibrocartilage growth. This spatial differentiation of material properties ensures both structural integrity and reliable biological response throughout the implant.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If collagen-hyaluronic acid-chondroitin sulfate sponges are used as meniscus implants, then preliminary results are promising, but cytotoxic byproducts from cross-linking and scaffold shrinkage occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebiological responseVSAvoidcytotoxic byproducts

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts or removes the harmful cross-linking step from the implant fabrication process. By eliminating the cross-linking chemistry that produces cytotoxic byproducts, the patent retains the beneficial biological response of collagen-hyaluronic acid-chondroitin sulfate materials while removing the harmful cytotoxic effects. The implant achieves its structural integrity through alternative means that do not generate toxic byproducts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS12491074B2Composite implant for total meniscus reconstruction

Publication Date: 2025.12.09 RUTGERS THE STATE UNIV

AI summary

Artificial meniscal scaffolds characterized by a composite of circumferential polymer fiber network and orthogonal polymer fiber network embedded in an arcuate bioresorbable matrix comprised of collagen and hyaluronic acid. The orthogonal polymer fiber network prevents separation of the circumferential polymer fiber networks. The polymer fiber networks convert axial compressive forces on the scaffolds to tensile loads on the circumferential polymer fibers. The composite scaffold can be anchored to bone by novel anchoring components that protect the polymer fibers and ensure immediate securement of the artificial meniscal scaffold to bone.