Titanium Trabecular Vertebroplasty Granule for Stability and Bone Ingrowth

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vertebroplasty techniques using bone cement like PMMA provide immediate primary stability but lack optimal osteointegration and osteoinduction, and the insertion of granules is cumbersome due to the need for separate cannula operations for balloons and granules.

Innovation Solution

A cylindrical granule made of biocompatible titanium or its alloys, with a trabeculated structure and dimensions optimized for insertion through a cannula, providing primary stability and promoting bone growth, and having an elasticity similar to natural bone.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If bone cement (PMMA) is used for vertebroplasty, then immediate primary stability is guaranteed, but osteointegration and osteoinduction are suboptimal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprimary stabilityVSAvoidosteointegration

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses a composite structure combining a biocompatible metal core (titanium or its alloys) with a porous outer layer. The metal core provides immediate primary stability similar to PMMA cement, while the porous outer layer promotes osteointegration and osteoinduction by allowing bone ingrowth, thus resolving the contradiction between mechanical stability and biological integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The granule features a porous outer layer with controlled porosity that facilitates bone ingrowth and biological integration. This porous structure maintains mechanical stability while enabling osteointegration, directly addressing the limitation of PMMA cement which lacks osteoinductive properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

2Reliability

If separate cannula operations are used for balloon insertion and granule insertion, then balloon compaction can be performed, but the insertion process becomes cumbersome and complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveballoon compaction functionVSAvoidinsertion procedure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention combines the balloon compaction function and granule insertion function into a single integrated cannula system. The cannula is designed to first allow balloon insertion for compaction, then facilitate granule insertion through the same access route, thereby simplifying the overall procedure and reducing the number of separate operations required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cannula is designed as a multi-functional device that serves both as a delivery system for the balloon and as a delivery system for the granules. This universal design allows a single device to perform multiple functions in sequence, reducing procedural complexity and improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If spherical granule configuration is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but insertion through cannula becomes less optimized compared to cylindrical shape

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegranule productionVSAvoidcannula insertion

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention adopts a cylindrical granule configuration with rounded ends, which optimizes insertion through the cannula by reducing friction and facilitating smooth passage. The cylindrical shape with curved surfaces balances ease of manufacture with improved ease of operation during insertion, addressing the limitation of spherical granules that may not insert as smoothly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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

Facilitates smooth insertion and ensures immediate primary stability while promoting osteointegration and osteoinduction, reducing hospital stay and enhancing bone regeneration.

Implementation Method 1

at least an external surface portion having a porosity suitable for allowing osteointegration and promoting bone growth

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOsteointegration:

Implementation Method 2

having an elasticity similar to natural bone

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS12544118B2Cylindrical granule made of biocompatible metal material for vertebroplasty

Publication Date: 2026.02.10 MT ORTHO SRL

AI summary

A cylindrical granule made of a biocompatible metal material, in particular titanium or its alloys, for vertebroplasty operations has a cylindrical shape and includes a central cylindrical body connected at its ends to a first disc and to a second disc respectively, and a portion with a trabeculated structure, which extends around the central cylindrical body between the lower surface of the first disc and the upper surface of the second disc.