Anatomic Osteochondral Implant via Additive Mold Fabrication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis treatments often fail in the long term, leading to the need for destructive surgical interventions that compromise grip strength and result in subsidence and disfigurement, as conservative methods are insufficient in providing durable and anatomically correct replacements for damaged bone and cartilage.
Innovation Solution
A method for forming a prosthesis comprising a bone-like portion and a cartilage-like portion using additive manufacturing, where three-dimensional models of the bone and cartilage are created from medical images, and negative molds are formed to produce anatomically shaped osteochondral constructs that mimic natural bone and cartilage, allowing for integration and ingrowth, and are seeded with stem cells for tissue regeneration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional destructive surgical intervention is used to replace damaged bone and cartilage, then pain is reduced, but grip strength is compromised and disfigurement occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the fundamental parameter of implant material composition by using patient-specific stem cells to generate living bone and cartilage tissue, replacing traditional inert materials. This biological approach allows the implant to integrate with and strengthen the patient's existing anatomy over time, potentially improving grip strength while reducing pain.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite biological structure by combining patient-derived stem cells with a scaffold system that mimics natural osteochondral architecture. This composite approach enables the implant to function as both structural support and living tissue, addressing both pain relief and strength preservation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional surgical intervention is used to replace damaged joint structures, then pain is relieved, but anatomical accuracy and function are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates an exact anatomical copy of the patient's original joint structures by using 3D imaging and modeling to replicate the unique geometry of their bone and cartilage. This custom-designed implant preserves the patient's natural anatomical shape and function while relieving pain, avoiding the disfigurement and functional compromise of standardized implants.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies different material properties and cellular compositions to different regions of the implant to match the specific requirements of bone and cartilage tissues. The osteochondral interface is engineered with distinct zones that replicate the natural transition from bone to cartilage, ensuring anatomical accuracy and proper joint function.
3Strength
If conservative treatments are used for trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis, then grip strength is maintained, but long-term effectiveness is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention enables the implant to self-repair and self-strengthen by using the patient's own stem cells that continuously generate new bone and cartilage tissue. This living implant adapts and improves over time, providing long-term effectiveness while maintaining grip strength, unlike conservative treatments that eventually fail or traditional implants that do not regenerate.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for forming a prosthesis comprising a bone-like portion and a cartilage-like portion can comprise additively manufacturing a first positive mold in accordance with a portion of a first three-dimensional model of a portion of a bone. A first negative mold can be formed from the first positive mold. The bone-like portion can be created within the first negative mold. A second positive mold of the bone and a cartilage can be additively manufactured from a second three-dimensional model. A portion of the second three-dimensional model can correspond to a portion of the first three-dimensional model. A second negative mold can be formed from the second positive mold. The bone-like portion can be positioned in the second negative mold so that the second negative mold and the bone-like portion can define a cartilage space that can be filled with a material to form the cartilage-like portion of the prosthesis.