Prosthetic Apparatus with Probiotic Microorganisms for Bacterial Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Prosthetic apparatuses, particularly dental implants, face challenges with colonization of harmful bacteria in microgaps between components, leading to infections and adverse effects, as current solutions like antimicrobial agents and mechanical adjustments have limited success due to bacterial resistance and biofilm formation.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating probiotic microorganisms between mating surfaces of prosthetic apparatuses, supported by a polymer matrix, to preemptively colonize the microgap with beneficial bacteria, reducing pathogenic adhesion and biofilm formation, and potentially creating a physical seal to prevent pathogenic ingress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If antimicrobial agents are used to control bacterial colonization, then pathogenic bacteria are inhibited, but bacterial resistance and biofilm formation increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using antimicrobial agents to kill or inhibit pathogenic bacteria, the invention introduces probiotic microorganisms that compete with pathogens for space and nutrients. The probiotics actively displace pathogenic bacteria through competitive exclusion, producing beneficial effects without triggering resistance mechanisms. This inverts the approach from direct antagonism to competitive displacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The probiotic microorganisms serve as intermediaries that mediate the biological environment between the prosthetic device and the host tissue. Rather than directly targeting pathogenic bacteria with antimicrobials, the probiotics modify the microenvironment to be unfavorable for pathogens while favorable for host health, indirectly controlling bacterial colonization.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If mechanical solutions are used to reduce microgap, then pathogenic bacteria are excluded, but manufacturing complexity and tolerance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the biological parameter of the microgap environment by introducing probiotic microorganisms, rather than changing the mechanical parameter of gap size. This allows the use of standard manufacturing tolerances while achieving bacterial control through biological means, avoiding the need for tighter fits and reduced tolerances.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If probiotic microorganisms are introduced, then pathogenic colonization is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The probiotic microorganisms are nested within or on the surface of the prosthetic device components, specifically positioned in the microgap regions. This nested arrangement allows the biological agent to be delivered directly to the target site without requiring separate delivery mechanisms or complex device modifications.
Data Source
AI summary
Prosthetic apparatuses with probiotic microorganisms to control colonization of pathogenic bacteria are disclosed. The prosthetic apparatus may include a first portion having a first mating surface, a second portion having a second mating surface that conforms to the first mating surface, and at least one strain of probiotic microorganisms retained between the first and second mating surfaces prior to implantation of the prosthetic apparatus.