Porous Bone Screw with Osteoconductive Coating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical methods for stabilizing and fusing the sacroiliac joint are plagued by complications such as persistent pain and deep wound infections, and existing implants lack the combination of a porous structure, fenestrations, and osteoconductive coatings to enhance bone growth and stability.
Innovation Solution
A threaded implant made from titanium or tantalum with a porous structure, fenestrations, and a surface coating of osteoconductive materials like hydroxyapatite or tricalcium phosphate, designed to facilitate bone growth and stability by providing a stable fusion or compression of bone segments, including the sacroiliac joint.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional surgical methods and implants are used for sacroiliac joint stabilization, then the procedure can be performed with standard equipment, but complications such as persistent pain and deep wound infections occur and bone integration is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The implant body is made from porous titanium or tantalum material with controlled pore sizes (100-900 μm) and porosity (60-65%), which allows bone ingrowth through the implant structure, enhancing bone integration and stability while reducing the risk of infection by promoting proper bone healing
Solution Approach 2:
The implant combines porous metal substrate with osteoconductive ceramic coatings (hydroxyapatite and/or tricalcium phosphate), creating a composite structure that leverages the mechanical strength of metal and the bone-promoting properties of ceramics to improve bone integration and reduce complications
Solution Approach 3:
The implant features localized fenestrations (openings) in the implant body and differentiated surface treatments in specific regions to promote bone ingrowth at critical interfaces, while maintaining structural integrity in load-bearing areas, thereby optimizing both bone integration and mechanical stability
2Length of moving object
If a headless compression screw is used for deep fracture insertion, then the screw can be inserted deeply into the bone, but the screw lacks a head for tool attachment and rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The implant incorporates a recess or socket at one end that accepts a tool or connector, allowing the tool to be nested within the implant structure during insertion and rotation, while the implant itself remains headless for deep insertion into the bone without protruding heads interfering with soft tissue
Solution Approach 2:
A removable tool or connector acts as an intermediary element that interfaces with the implant's recess during the insertion and positioning process, allowing rotation and placement without requiring a permanent head on the implant, enabling deep insertion while maintaining ease of operation during surgery
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 implant enhances bone integration and stability, reducing motion across the joint, thereby providing effective fusion and compression of bone segments with minimized risk of complications and improved clinical outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
the titanium or tantalum metal or alloy is a porous material with pore sizes ranging in 100 to 900 μm and a porosity of 60-65%
Implementation Method 2
coated with hydroxyapatite (HA) or tricalcium phosphate (TCP) or both
Data Source
AI summary
A bone screw implant is provided for immobilizing the articular surfaces of two bone segments by securing, fusing, or compression the two segments. The implant may be fabricated from a porous biocompatible metal and have a cylindrical shape and fully or partially threaded and may have variable pitch threads and a variable diameter of the shaft. The implant may include a blunt tip or a fluted self-drilling tip and a headless screwdriver socket. Large pitch cancellous threads may be in the leading-end portion of the cylinder shaft, and smaller pitch cortical threads may be at the trailing edge portion of the shaft. The implant may be fenestrated, it may have a roughened surface, and it may be coated with an osteoconductive material. The implant may be cannulated. In a specific embodiment, the implant is used for immobilizing the articular surfaces of a sacroiliac joint. The implant may be coated with hydroxyapatite or tricalcium phosphate at thickness of 100 nm to 100 μm thick.