Radiation-Heated Biodegradable Implants for In Situ Shaping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Biodegradable implants face challenges in being shaped or molded in situ due to high glass transition temperatures, leading to potential tissue damage and discomfort, and there is a need for a way to control their degradation rate for timely removal.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating nanoparticles that convert incident radiation into heat energy, allowing the implant to be plastically deformed or degraded at a controlled rate by adjusting its temperature, with nanoshells being dispersed within the implant to achieve these properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If biodegradable polymers are used to make implants, then the implants can degrade over time and avoid permanent presence in the body, but the glass transition temperature is high requiring heating above body temperature for shaping which may cause tissue damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces radiation-absorbing particles as an intermediary substance dispersed within the implant. These particles absorb electromagnetic radiation and convert it to heat locally, acting as a mediator that enables heating of the implant without requiring external heat sources that could damage surrounding tissue. The particles are contained within the implant structure, localizing the thermal effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical/external heating system with an optical field-based heating system. Instead of using external heaters or direct contact heating methods, the implant incorporates particles that convert electromagnetic radiation into heat internally, substituting a mechanical thermal processing system with an optical field approach.
2Ease of operation
If external radiation sources are used to heat the implant, then the implant can be shaped in situ, but the radiation penetration through tissue is poor requiring a second device for heating
Solution Approach 1:
The implant becomes self-heating by incorporating radiation-absorbing particles within its structure. When exposed to electromagnetic radiation from an external source, the particles convert the radiation into heat internally, enabling the implant to heat itself without requiring integrated heating elements or complex second devices. The implant serves its own heating function through the embedded particles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameters of the implant by incorporating particles with specific radiation-absorbing properties. These particles are selected to absorb electromagnetic radiation at wavelengths that can penetrate tissue, transforming the implant's interaction with radiation from simple transmission to active absorption and conversion, enabling remote heating capability.
3Temperature
If chromophores are added to the implant to absorb radiation and generate heat, then heating can be achieved, but the chromophores may degrade into toxic chemicals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by selecting particles with specific properties: inorganic or organic materials that are biocompatible and stable at implantation site conditions. These particles are chosen to absorb radiation and generate heat without degrading into toxic substances, unlike traditional chromophores. Examples include metal oxides, carbon-based materials, or biocompatible polymers with appropriate optical absorption characteristics.
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 the implant to be shaped or expanded at body temperature without causing tissue damage and allows for controlled degradation, reducing the need for surgical removal and minimizing biocompatibility issues.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of particles dispersed in the structure and that are adapted to convert incident radiation into heat energy when the particles are irradiated with electromagnetic radiation
Implementation Method 2
The particles are in thermal contact with the implant and therefore the heat generated by the particles raises the temperature of the implant
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2~3B
Figure 3C~3D
AI summary
An implant comprises a structure that may be implanted into tissue and that has a first material property at normal body temperature. The first material property is variable at elevated temperatures above normal body temperature. The implant also has a plurality of particles dispersed in the structure that are adapted to convert incident radiation into heat energy when irradiated with electromagnetic radiation. The particles are in thermal contact with the structure such that exposure of the particles to incident radiation raises the temperature of the structure thereby changing the first material property relative to the first material property at normal body temperature.