Resorbable Medical Packaging for Sharp Implants

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current medical packaging for sharp-edged medical products, such as implants and surgical tools, fails to prevent contamination by packaging material, which can lead to inflammation or allergic reactions when particles adhere to the product and are introduced into the patient's body during handling or use.

Innovation Solution

A packaging system where at least part of the packaging is made of absorbable material, combined with a holding device that positions the product to prevent contact with non-absorbable packaging material, ensuring that any adhering particles are broken down by the body and reducing the risk of contamination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the medical device is held securely in a defined position using a clamp in the coupling area, then the product is positioned stably within the pack, but the tool can slip within the pack and its sharp edges can come into contact with the pack, causing contamination by packaging material

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition stabilityVSAvoidcontamination risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful non-resorbable packaging material is extracted or removed from the area where it could contact the medical device. Instead, a resorbable packaging material is used that can be safely introduced into the patient's body if contact occurs, effectively removing the harmful aspect of the packaging material itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

A resorbable packaging material acts as an intermediary between the sharp medical device and the external environment. This intermediary material can safely contact the device without causing harm, as it will be broken down by the body if any particles are transferred to the patient.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If the packaging uses non-resorbable material to protect the product, then the packaging provides structural integrity and protection, but material particles can adhere to the product and be transferred to the patient, causing inflammation or allergic reactions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepackaging integrityVSAvoidpatient harm
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The key parameter change is in the material composition of the packaging - transitioning from non-resorbable to resorbable material. This parameter change maintains the necessary packaging integrity while fundamentally altering the safety profile by ensuring any particles that contact the device will be safely broken down in the patient's body.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The packaging employs composite material properties, combining the structural requirements of rigid packaging with the safety properties of resorbable materials. The packaging structure maintains integrity through its design while the material composition ensures biocompatibility and safe degradation if contact occurs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the packaging is designed with multiple parts and protective layers to prevent contact, then the protection against contamination is improved, but the device complexity and handling difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontamination protectionVSAvoidpackaging structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The complex multi-layer protective structure is extracted or simplified. Instead of multiple separate protective layers, the solution uses a single resorbable packaging material that inherently provides protection through its material properties rather than through complex structural arrangements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If the packaging material is made soft and flexible to reduce abrasion, then the risk of material particles adhering to the product is reduced, but the packaging stability and ability to hold the product securely decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveabrasion riskVSAvoidpackaging stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The material parameter changed from non-resorbable to resorbable allows the packaging to maintain adequate structural stability while reducing harmful abrasion. The resorbable material inherently has softer, more compliant properties that reduce abrasion risk, while the packaging design maintains necessary stability through its structure rather than material rigidity alone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 effectively minimizes the risk of patient exposure to packaging material, preventing abrasion and contamination, and allows for safe handling and storage of medical products with sharp edges, ensuring sterility and integrity.

Implementation Method 1

a resorbable material, in particular a biodegradable material, with which the patient's body can break down the packaging and, if necessary, eliminate it

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBiodegradation: Decomposition (biological)

Data Source

PatentEP3866721B1Resorbable packaging for a medical product
Publication Date: 2022.04.27 AESCULAP AG
  • EP3866721B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3866721B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3866721B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to packaging (1), in particular sterile packaging (1), for a medical product (8, 21, 27), comprising a receiving space (4) for the medical product (8, 21, 27); a portion of the packaging facing the receiving space (4) is made at least in part, preferably entirely, of a resorbable material.