Semi-Aromatic Polyamide Orthopedic Tools

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing orthopedic tools, particularly those made of commodity plastics, lack the necessary physical, chemical, and mechanical properties for effective use in orthopedic procedures, and they may not be biocompatible, especially for applications like hip or knee prosthetic surgery.

Innovation Solution

The development of orthopedic tools primarily composed of a semi-aromatic polyamide, derived from the polycondensation reaction between aliphatic diacids or their derivatives and aromatic diamines, which provides enhanced properties and biocompatibility, replacing traditional plastics like Kropf's or Bordes' plastics in existing tools.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If orthopedic tools are made of commodity plastic, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but physical, chemical and mechanical properties are insufficient for effective use in orthopedic procedures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidphysical, chemical and mechanical properties

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a composite material system consisting of semi-aromatic polyamide as the base polymer, reinforced with aromatic polyamide fibers and filled with inorganic particles. This composite structure combines the processability of commodity plastics with the superior mechanical strength, chemical resistance, and biocompatibility of high-performance materials, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Device complexity

If traditional plastic materials are used in orthopedic tools, then device complexity is reduced, but biocompatibility is insufficient for applications like hip or knee prosthetic surgery

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial composition simplicityVSAvoidbiocompatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent fundamentally changes the chemical composition parameters of the plastic material by using semi-aromatic polyamide instead of conventional commodity plastics. This parameter change transforms the material's biocompatibility properties, enabling it to meet stringent medical standards such as USP Class VI while maintaining relatively simple device design and manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If orthopedic tools are designed for single-use, then biocompatibility and safety are improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebiocompatibility and safetyVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements the disposable concept by designing orthopedic tools from semi-aromatic polyamide that can be manufactured at relatively low cost despite the advanced material properties. The material's excellent performance allows for single-use applications that ensure biocompatibility and safety, while the cost-effectiveness of the material and processing methods makes the disposable approach economically viable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentUS9968367B2Orthopedic tool made of a plastic material

Publication Date: 2018.05.15 SOLVAY SPECIALTY POLYMERS USA LLC

AI summary

The present invention relates to an orthopedic tool made of plastic material (M) comprising at least one semi-aromatic polyamide (P) comprising more than 50 mole % of recurring units obtained by the polycondensation reaction between at least one aliphatic diacid or derivative thereof and at least one aromatic diamine. In particular, hip rasp consisting essentially of at least one plastic material comprising at least one PMXDA polymer.