Modular Antibiotic Spacer for Joint Infection Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current temporary joint spacers require complex handling and pose challenges in ensuring homogeneous distribution of antibiotics, leading to inefficiencies in local infection treatment during two-stage prosthesis revision, particularly with increasing bacterial resistance.
Innovation Solution
A modular, ready-to-use spacer device composed of two assembled modules, each loaded with a different antibiotic, allowing for easy assembly and independent control of antibiotic release, reducing manufacturing complexities and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If two antibiotics are combined in a single spacer by filling holes with cement, then local infection treatment effectiveness is improved, but handling complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer is divided into two separate pre-formed components (first spacer element with first antibiotic, second spacer element with second antibiotic) that can be assembled together. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and prepared independently with its specific antibiotic loading, avoiding the complexity of handling and assembling multiple materials in a single spacer during surgery.
2Reliability
If multiple antibiotic powders are mixed in cement, then comprehensive antibiotic coverage is achieved, but homogeneous distribution and manufacturing precision deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of mixing multiple antibiotic powders in a single cement batch, the invention segments the antibiotic loading into separate spacer elements. Each element is pre-formed with its specific antibiotic already incorporated into the cement matrix, ensuring homogeneous distribution within each element while maintaining comprehensive coverage when assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The antibiotics are pre-loaded into the respective spacer elements during the manufacturing process before assembly in the operating room. This preliminary action of incorporating antibiotics during fabrication ensures uniform distribution and eliminates the need for complex mixing operations during surgery.
3Ease of manufacture
If a single spacer design is used for all patient sizes, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different patient needs decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer system is segmented into modular elements (first and second spacer elements) with standardized interfaces. This modularity allows for easy assembly of different size configurations to match various patient anatomies while maintaining simple, standardized manufacturing processes for each individual element.
Solution Approach 2:
The standardized spacer elements can be combined in different configurations and sizes to accommodate various patient needs and joint types. The universal design of the interface and standardized dimensions allows a limited set of manufactured components to serve multiple patient scenarios, enhancing adaptability without complicating manufacturing.
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
Facilitates effective local treatment of joint infections with adjustable antibiotic release, enhancing treatment efficacy and reducing the risk of resistant infections, while simplifying the manufacturing process and ensuring consistent antibiotic distribution.
Implementation Method 1
due to its reticulated structure, it can be combined with an antibiotic agent which diffuses into the surrounding tissues and thus provides prolonged local treatment of the infection
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a spacer device made of polymer cement ready for use as a replacement for a permanent articular prosthesis during a two-stage revision, comprising a rod that can be fixed to the support bone, and a head that can be placed in the articular zone, said spacer device being composed of two complementary elements that comprise means for rigid assembly to each other, the first element being charged with a first active substance, and the second element being charged with a second active substance. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first and second active substances are antibiotics chosen, for example, from among gentamicin, tobramycin, vancomycin, erythromycin, fucidin, tetracycline, or other suitable antibiotics. The temporary articular implant according to the invention is intended, on the one hand, to maintain a suitable space for the length of time necessary for the replacement of a permanent prosthesis, in order to ensure that the tissues do not occupy the space freed by the removal of the permanent prosthesis, and, on the other hand, to ensure effective treatment of resistant infections by local treatment of the articular zone by at least two different active substances, such as two antibiotics.