Poly-L-lactic Acid Bone Fixation Material
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional osteosynthesis materials, including those made of poly-L-lactic acid, require dedicated tools for reshaping and have either insufficient strength or rapid decomposition, leading to issues with bone fixation and absorption.
Innovation Solution
A poly-L-lactic acid-based osteosynthesis material with a weight average molecular weight of 100,000 to 500,000 and a degree of crystallinity between 10.0% and 25.6%, allowing for high strength at body temperature and quick absorption, while being bendable by hand without dedicated tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If osteosynthesis materials are made of poly-L-lactic acid to achieve bioabsorbability and sufficient strength, then the materials can fix bones until regeneration and are absorbed in the body, but they require dedicated tools for reshaping and cannot be bent by hand
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the molecular weight of poly-L-lactic acid within a specific range (10,000 to 500,000) and adjusting the degree of crystallinity (10.0% to 25.6%). These parameter adjustments enable the material to achieve both high strength at body temperature and sufficient softness for manual bending during surgery, eliminating the need for dedicated reshaping tools.
2Ease of operation
If copolymers of poly-L-lactic acid with other bioabsorbable polymers or mixtures with additives are used to improve handleability, then the materials become bendable by hand, but they decompose faster in the body and may have difficulty maintaining sufficient strength until bone regeneration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by changing the parameters of pure poly-L-lactic acid rather than using copolymers or additives. By controlling molecular weight (10,000 to 500,000) and degree of crystallinity (10.0% to 25.6%), the material achieves both manual bendability and sustained strength, while maintaining a controlled decomposition rate appropriate for bone healing.
3Ease of operation
If copolymers or mixtures are used to improve handleability, then the materials become bendable by hand, but they decompose faster in the body, leading to quick absorption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes to pure poly-L-lactic acid, controlling molecular weight and degree of crystallinity to achieve the desired balance. This approach enables manual handleability while maintaining an appropriate decomposition rate that ensures the material remains intact throughout the bone healing process, avoiding premature absorption.
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 material provides sufficient strength for bone fixation until regeneration and rapid absorption post-healing, reducing foreign body reactions and improving handleability during surgery.
Implementation Method 1
The osteosynthesis material has a bending resistance at 37° C. of 10 N or higher and a bending resistance at 70° C. of 5 N or lower
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention aims to provide an osteosynthesis material having high strength and an appropriate decomposition rate while being bendable by hand, and a method for producing the osteosynthesis material. Provided is an osteosynthesis material to be used for bone fixation at a fracture site, the osteosynthesis material consisting of poly-L-lactic acid, the osteosynthesis material having a bending resistance at 37° C. of 10 N or higher and a bending resistance at 70° C. of 5 N or lower.