Photocurable Bone Resin with Light Guide and Ultrasonic Depolymerization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current bone cements require invasive implantation and extended fixation processes, leading to increased surgical trauma and risk of thermal necrosis, with existing removal methods being inefficient and causing complications.

Innovation Solution

A minimally invasive photocurable polymeric resin system that can be injected, cured in situ using a light source, and removed via depolymerization, featuring a photocurable injection system with a diffusive light guide and ultrasonic extraction, minimizing trauma and heat generation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If current bone cements are used for fixation, then bone stabilization is achieved, but surgical trauma and risk of thermal necrosis increase due to invasive implantation and extended fixation processes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebone stabilizationVSAvoidsurgical trauma and thermal necrosis

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical bone cement implantation with a photocurable polymeric resin system that cures through light activation. This substitution eliminates the need for extensive mechanical insertion procedures and reduces thermal generation during curing, thereby decreasing surgical trauma and thermal necrosis risk while maintaining bone stabilization efficacy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the curing mechanism parameter from chemical curing (traditional bone cement) to photocuring (light-activated polymeric resin). This parameter change enables minimally invasive injection-based implantation and reduces the exothermic reaction intensity, thereby reducing surgical trauma and thermal necrosis while achieving reliable bone fixation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of repair

If traditional bone cement removal methods are used, then implant removal is achieved, but complications increase due to inefficient removal processes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplant removalVSAvoidremoval complications

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies depolymerization technology that reverses the polymerization process through light activation. This inversion allows the cured polymeric resin to be converted back to its monomeric state, enabling easy removal through natural bone cavities without complex surgical procedures, thereby reducing removal complications while maintaining ease of repair

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If minimally invasive injection method is used, then surgical trauma is reduced, but curing control becomes more challenging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical traumaVSAvoidcuring control

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a diffusive light guide tip that delivers light energy locally and controllably to the injection site. This localized light delivery enables precise control of the photocuring process at the target location while maintaining minimally invasive injection-based implantation, thereby reducing surgical trauma while managing curing control complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

Enables efficient, minimally invasive bone stabilization and repair with reduced trauma and recovery time, allowing for safe and efficient removal of the cured polymer, reducing the risk of complications associated with traditional bone cement removal.

Implementation Method 1

a photocurable polymeric resin comprising functional materials that are adapted to photocure into a cured polymer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotopolymerization: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 2

a minimally invasive ultrasonic system for extracting the cured polymer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasonic vibration: Ultrasonic Vibration

Implementation Method 3

a photocurable injection system with a diffusive light guide

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight transmission: Light

Data Source

PatentUS11925401B1Method of creating biocompatible polymeric resin systems for bone repair and management

Publication Date: 2024.03.12 MEDICARBONE INC

AI summary

A photocurable device injection system for creating in situ polymerization via light or free-radical to enable fractured bone fixation. The system comprises a photosensitive polymeric resin sensitive to light, temperature, oxygen, enzymes, or a combination thereof. The photosensitive polymeric resin may be configured to cure at room temperature or physiological temperature with a light source. The photosensitive polymeric resin may be configured to depolymerize with ultrasonication, sonication, or a combination thereof. The system further comprises an implantable 3-dimensional biocompatible pouch comprising an optical light guide. The system further comprises one or more micro-sized ultrasonication probes configured to contact a three-dimensional pouch by one or more openings. The one or more probes may be configured to enable polymer outflow.