Multichannel Cannula for Precise Bone Substance Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for delivering substances to fractured bones are imprecise and cause additional trauma, as they often require drilling separate holes or lack stabilization, limiting the accuracy and accessibility of substance delivery.

Innovation Solution

A multichannel cannula system that allows substance delivery and removal through the same hole intended for bone implant placement, using a stabilizing wire to guide the cannula and provide precise access to the fracture site, with channels configured to receive the wire and deliver substances or remove material from the bone interior.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a separate hole is drilled in the bone for substance delivery after implant placement, then substance delivery is possible, but additional bone trauma occurs and accessibility to the intended delivery location is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccessibility to delivery locationVSAvoidbone trauma
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The bone implant is designed with integrated substance delivery functionality through fenestrations or slots that allow the implant to serve both as a stabilizing device and as a vehicle for delivering therapeutic substances directly to the fracture site, eliminating the need for separate access holes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The substance delivery function is merged with the implant placement procedure by incorporating delivery channels within the implant structure itself, allowing both functions to occur through the same access point and thereby avoiding additional bone trauma

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Manufacturing precision

If substance is delivered into a drilled hole without fracture stabilization, then substance delivery is possible, but imprecision in delivering substances to the intended location occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecision of substance deliveryVSAvoiddifficulty of substance delivery
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Fracture stabilization is performed preliminarily through implant placement, which then serves as a stable platform and guide for subsequent precise substance delivery through its integrated channels, ensuring both ease of operation and precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If a fenestrated or slotted implant is used to deliver substance through the implant, then substance delivery through implant is possible, but the implant structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesubstance delivery capabilityVSAvoidimplant structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The implant structure is segmented into functional zones including fenestrations or slots that are strategically positioned to allow substance delivery while maintaining overall structural integrity, balancing versatility with manageable complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3068322B1Multichannel cannula
Publication Date: 2020.01.22 SPINAL GENERATIONS LLC
  • EP3068322B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3068322B1 patent drawingFigure 2~5
  • EP3068322B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

A method for delivering a substance to bone includes placing a stabilizing wire in a bone, creating a hole in the bone around the stabilizing wire, and providing a multichannel cannula. The multichannel cannula includes a first channel having an open proximal end and distal end, the first channel being configured to receive the stabilizing wire, and a second channel having an inlet portal and an exit portal that are in fluid communication. The cannula further includes a cap having a delivery port in fluid communication with the inlet portal and a channel for receiving the cannula therein, and a distal tip. The method further includes inserting the multichannel cannula into the hole in the bone such that the first channel receives the stabilizing wire, and delivering the substance into the bone by introducing the substance into the second channel such that the substance exits through the exit portal.