Microstructured Adhesive Packaging for Medical Implants

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing packaging for medical implants, such as tibial implants, can lead to particle contamination due to friction-induced abrasion during transport, increasing the risk of postoperative complications like loosening of the implant.

Innovation Solution

The packaging features microstructured adhesive elements on its inner surface, which adhere to the implant using van der Waals forces, minimizing contact and abrasion between the packaging and the implant.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional packaging materials are used, then the packaging is simple and easy to manufacture, but friction-induced abrasion occurs during transport leading to particle contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparticle contamination avoidanceVSAvoidpackaging structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The packaging surface is modified by creating microstructured adhesive elements with specific dimensional parameters (height: 10-50 μm, diameter: 5-20 μm) that change the physical parameters of the surface to enable controlled adhesion without excessive complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The packaging material is designed with localized adhesive properties only at the contact surfaces where the implant touches the packaging, while the rest of the packaging maintains its conventional simple structure, thus improving reliability without significantly increasing overall complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the packaging adheres to the implant, then transport-related abrasion is reduced, but the packaging material must withstand sterilization processes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveabrasion reductionVSAvoidsterilization compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive elements are designed with specific material properties and dimensional parameters that enable them to withstand sterilization processes while maintaining their adhesive function, resolving the contradiction between abrasion reduction and sterilization compatibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The packaging with adhesive elements is designed as a single-use sterile barrier that protects the implant during transport and surgery, then is disposed of after use, eliminating the need for repeated sterilization of the adhesive elements themselves

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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

This solution significantly reduces or eliminates transport-related abrasion and particle contamination of the implant, thereby lowering the risk of postoperative complications.

Implementation Method 1

adhering or fixing the implant to an inner surface of the packaging, preferably predominantly or exclusively on the basis of van der Waals forces

Methodology Applied

Scientific Effectvan der Waals forces: Van der Waals Force

Data Source

PatentEP3884903B1Package for a medical product, method of manufacturing a package for a medical product, use of a package for packaging a medical product and medical kit

Publication Date: 2025.06.11 AESCULAP AG

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AI summary

The invention relates to packaging (1) for a medical device (5), wherein an inner surface (4) of the packaging (1) has at least partially projecting, microstructured adhesive elements (7) for adhering to the medical device (5). The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing the packaging, the use of the packaging for packaging a medical device, and a medical kit.