Red Light Pedicle Screw for Osteoporotic Bone Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for osteoporosis, such as anti-resorptive agents, often disrupt the balance between bone formation and resorption, leading to fragile bones and systemic side effects, while methods to enhance pedicle screw integration in osteoporotic vertebrae are inadequate due to low bone density and fragility.

Innovation Solution

The use of red light irradiation at the bone-pedicle screw interface to enhance osteointegration and pull-out strength, employing red light transmitting materials and implants with integrated LEDs or external light sources to stimulate bone repair and integration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If anti-resorptive agents are administered to treat osteoporosis, then bone mineral density increases, but bone becomes fragile and prone to microdamage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebone mineral densityVSAvoidbone strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by using red light irradiation with specific wavelength (600-1000 nm) and intensity parameters to stimulate bone formation. This photobiomodulation approach changes the biological state of bone tissue without altering the mineral density achieved through anti-resorptive agents, thereby improving bone strength while maintaining mineral density.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the purely chemical mechanism of anti-resorptive agents with a photobiomodulation mechanism using red light. This substitution allows bone treatment through optical energy absorption by mitochondria, stimulating ATP production and bone formation without the systemic side effects and bone fragility associated with chemical anti-resorptives.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Quantity of substance

If anti-resorptive agents are administered systemically, then bone resorption is reduced, but systemic side effects occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebone resorption rateVSAvoidsystemic side effects

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by delivering red light irradiation specifically to the bone-pedicle screw interface and target bone areas, rather than administering systemic drugs. This localized photobiomodulation stimulates bone formation only where needed, avoiding systemic side effects while effectively reducing bone resorption at the treatment site.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes systemic chemical administration with localized optical energy delivery. Red light penetrates tissue and is absorbed by mitochondria in bone-forming cells, triggering localized bone formation without the systemic circulation and associated side effects of chemical anti-resorptive agents.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Strength

If red light irradiation is applied to enhance pedicle screw integration, then pull-out strength increases, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepull-out strengthVSAvoidimplant structure

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies merging by integrating the red light source directly into the pedicle screw implant structure. The light-emitting diode (LED) is embedded within the screw body, combining the mechanical fixation function with the photobiomodulation function in a single integrated device, thereby enhancing pull-out strength without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies universality by designing the pedicle screw to perform multiple functions: mechanical fixation, red light emission for bone stimulation, and potential sensing capabilities. This multi-functional design allows a single implant to address both structural support and bone regeneration needs, reducing the need for separate devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Red light irradiation increases the pull-out strength of pedicle screws and enhances bone-implant integration, addressing the fragility of osteoporotic bones and reducing systemic side effects by promoting osteointegration without affecting bone resorption rates.

Implementation Method 1

Red light irradiation of the bone-pedicle screw interface has been shown to enhance the integration of the pedicle screw into the vertebra

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotobiomodulation: Photosynthesis

Data Source

PatentUS8262713B2Red light implant for treating osteoporosis

Publication Date: 2012.09.11 DEPUY SYNTHES PROD INC

AI summary

Red light implants for delivering red light to spinal implants to enhance osteointegration.