Mesh Reinforced Polyurethane Meniscus for Tissue Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current prosthetic devices for replacing or augmenting damaged menisci lack sufficient structural strength and integration with the patient's tissue, leading to inadequate fixation and potential for further damage.

Innovation Solution

A prosthetic device with a polyurethane body reinforced by a mesh material, featuring strands for root and peripheral fixation, and a porous material for supporting fibrovascular tissue ingrowth, enhancing structural integrity and integration with the patient's bone.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a polyurethane body is used for the meniscus replacement, then the device provides basic structural form and cushioning, but the structural strength and integration with patient tissue are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidintegration with patient tissue

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines polyurethane material with mesh reinforcement to create a composite structure. The polyurethane provides cushioning and basic structural form, while the mesh reinforcement (made of materials like polyester, polyethylene, or metal) provides tensile strength and serves as an anchor for fibrovascular tissue ingrowth. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by having each material perform its optimal function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The mesh material is positioned within the polyurethane body to create a porous or reticulated structure. This porous configuration allows fibrovascular tissue to ingress through the mesh into the polyurethane body, establishing biological integration. The porous structure resolves the integration problem while maintaining the structural strength provided by the mesh framework.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

2Reliability

If the meniscus is replaced without mesh reinforcement, then the device is simpler in structure, but it lacks sufficient fixation and may cause further damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixation to patient tissueVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mesh reinforcement is strategically positioned within the polyurethane body at specific locations where strength and fixation are most needed. The mesh strands extend from the first end, second end, and first curved surface of the polyurethane body to provide localized reinforcement and fixation anchors. This localized approach provides reliable fixation without requiring complete mesh reinforcement of the entire structure, thus managing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Strength

If mesh material is added to reinforce the polyurethane body, then structural strength and fixation are improved, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidmanufacturing process simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The mesh reinforcement is nested within the polyurethane body during the manufacturing process. The mesh is positioned and secured inside the polyurethane structure, with strands extending from multiple surfaces. This nested configuration allows the mesh to be integrated into the polyurethane manufacturing process rather than requiring separate assembly steps, thereby managing manufacturing complexity while achieving the desired strength enhancement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS20240156604A1Mesh Reinforced Polyurethane Synthetic Meniscus

Publication Date: 2024.05.16 ARTHREX INC

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a prosthetic device for replacing or augmenting a damaged meniscus.