Polymeric Bone Implant with Plasticized Peripheral Region
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bone implantation methods face challenges in properly shaping implants for deep or complex bone defects, often requiring mechanical oscillation for thermoplastic materials, which can be cumbersome and inefficient, and may lead to improper fit and stability issues.
Innovation Solution
A bone implantation device made of polymeric material with a plasticized peripheral region, allowing for a soft and sticky outer surface that can be easily introduced into bone tissue without mechanical oscillation, which hardens upon contact with body fluids for stable fixation, eliminating the need for sonic energy and reducing thermal impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If thermoplastic polymer materials are used for bone implants, then the implant can be shaped to fit bone defects, but mechanical oscillation is required for liquefaction which increases device complexity and operation time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transitioning from thermoplastic materials requiring mechanical oscillation to thermosetting polymer materials that can be shaped using chemical or environmental parameters (such as temperature or chemical exposure) without complex mechanical devices. This changes the fundamental parameter of material response from mechanical vibration-dependent to environmentally responsive, simplifying the implantation device while maintaining shaping capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical oscillation system with an alternative shaping mechanism. Instead of using mechanical oscillation to liquefy thermoplastic polymer, the invention uses thermosetting polymers that can be shaped through chemical or thermal means, substituting the mechanical system with a chemical/environmental system that achieves the same shaping function with simpler equipment.
2Ease of manufacture
If mechanical oscillation is used to liquefy thermoplastic polymer, then the material can be pressed into cavities, but thermal impact on bone tissue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the mechanical oscillation system with a chemical or environmental activation system for thermosetting polymers. This replacement eliminates the need for high-energy mechanical oscillation that generates thermal impact, while still achieving material liquefaction or softening through alternative means such as chemical exposure or controlled temperature changes that are less harmful to bone tissue.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of material response from mechanical vibration-based liquefaction to chemical or environmentally-based softening. This parameter change allows the polymer to be shaped and pressed into bone cavities without the thermal byproducts of mechanical oscillation, thereby reducing thermal damage to the bone while maintaining ease of manufacture.
3Reliability
If biodegradable bone pins are used, then the implant can be absorbed by the body, but the insertion process requires precise fitting which increases operation difficulty
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using thermosetting polymers that undergo a phase transition or chemical change during insertion. This allows the material to be soft and moldable during the insertion process, enabling precise fitting into bone cavities, and then hardens in the body to provide stable fixation while maintaining biodegradability. This resolves the contradiction by allowing both easy insertion with precise fitting and reliable biodegradability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamics by using a material that changes its physical state during the implantation process. The thermosetting polymer transitions from a soft, moldable state during insertion to a hard, stable state in the body. This dynamic property allows the implant to be easily inserted with precise fitting while maintaining reliability and biodegradability in the final implanted state.
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 solution simplifies the implantation process, enhances stability and durability of bone fragment fixation, and allows for biodegradable materials that can be absorbed by the body, reducing the need for additional surgical removal and minimizing tissue disruption.
Implementation Method 1
the peripheral region comprises a polymeric material and a plasticizer... at least a portion of the implantation device into a plasticizer in such a way that a peripheral region of the implantation device is plasticised
Implementation Method 2
which hardens upon contact with body fluids for stable fixation
Data Source
AI summary
An implantation device for fixating a bone has a main body. The main body has a peripheral region and comprises a polymeric material. The peripheral region comprises the polymeric material and a plasticizer. In particular, the peripheral region may be adapted to be fixed to a bone. A method for producing the implantation device includes the steps of forming an implantation device using polymer material, and dipping at least a portion of the implantation device into a plasticizer in such a way that a peripheral region of the implantation device is plasticized.