Middle Ear Prosthesis Using Silver Nanoparticles for Antimicrobial Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing middle ear prostheses face challenges in accurately fitting and integrating with the ossicular chain due to varied damage and material limitations, leading to potential complications during surgery and inadequate antimicrobial properties.

Innovation Solution

A method of producing middle ear prostheses using thermoplastic polymers with silver nanoparticles, where the polymer granulate is processed through drying, plasticization, injection molding, and low-temperature plasma sterilization, allowing for adjustable length and antimicrobial properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If traditional polymer prostheses are used, then the prosthesis can be manually adjusted during surgery, but the material lacks adequate antimicrobial properties

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual adjustabilityVSAvoidantimicrobial protection

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines thermoplastic polymer material with silver nanoparticles to create a composite prosthesis that maintains the manual adjustability of traditional polymers while adding antimicrobial properties through the silver nanoparticle component

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The silver nanoparticles are incorporated into the polymer matrix to provide localized antimicrobial protection at the prosthesis-ossicle interface, while the bulk polymer material retains its mechanical properties and adjustability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If metal prostheses are used, then the prosthesis has good mechanical strength, but the prosthesis cannot be manually adjusted during surgery

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidmanual adjustability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses thermoplastic polymer material that can be softened by heating during surgery, allowing the prosthesis to be manually adjusted to the correct length and shape, then cooled to regain its structural strength

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If the prosthesis length is fixed during manufacturing, then the production process is simplified, but the prosthesis cannot be adapted to varied ossicular chain damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction simplicityVSAvoidadaptation to ossicular damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the prosthesis with adjustable length capability, allowing the device to be modified during surgery to match the specific dimensions required for each patient's ossicular chain reconstruction needs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Manufacturing precision

If complex implant procedures are used, then the prosthesis can be precisely positioned, but the surgical procedure becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplant positioning precisionVSAvoidimplant procedure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The prosthesis is pre-formed with a memory structure that allows it to automatically assume its final shape and position once inserted into the middle ear, eliminating the need for complex intraoperative shaping procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 method enables precise implantation and enhanced antimicrobial protection against bacteria and fungi, facilitating surgical procedures and improving integration with the auditory ossicles.

Implementation Method 1

enhanced antimicrobial protection against bacteria and fungi

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAntimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles:

Implementation Method 2

low temperature plasma sterilization with the use of hydrogen peroxide vapour

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPlasma sterilization: Plasma

Implementation Method 3

low temperature plasma sterilization with the use of hydrogen peroxide vapour

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Implementation Method 4

thermoplastic polymer granulate is subject to a drying process at the temperature from 60 to 150°C

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDrying: Desiccation

Implementation Method 5

it is plasticized and injected in the temperature from 180 to 400°C

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 6

The obtained profile is cooled down

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCooling: Cooling

Data Source

PatentEP2858598B1Formation method of a middle ear prosthesis

Publication Date: 2019.04.10 ACAD GORNICZO HUTNICZA IM STANISLAWA STASZICA

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AI summary

The process of preparing a middle ear prosthesis of polymeric material by injection moulding technology according to the presented invention is characterized by drying the thermoplastic polymer granules, preferably high density polyethylene or polyamide or polysulphone, at a temperature in the range of 60 to 150°C for a period of 2 to 8 hours. Subsequently granules are plasticized and then injected at a temperature between 180 and 400°C into the mold heated to a temperature between 60 and 150°C. Then obtained moulder is cooled and in the final stage it is hermetically packed in a vacuum and sterilized. In addition, the granules of the thermoplastic polymer composite are used, obtained by addition of bactericidal additive introduced into the thermoplastic polymer granules, preferably a silver powder with a particle size from 15 to 100 nm, in an amount of 0.1 - 3 wt %.