Trapezoidal Synthetic Bone Void Fillers for ACL Reconstruction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Patients undergoing BTB ACL reconstruction experience post-operative anterior knee pain due to bone voids at harvest sites, necessitating an implant system with preformed osteoconductive or osteoinductive synthetic grafts to promote bone ingrowth and replacement.
Innovation Solution
Prepackaged, off-the-shelf trapezoidal-shaped synthetic bone void filler implants made of osteoconductive or osteoinductive materials, such as OSferion, with specific dimensions and porosity, designed to match bone block harvest sites, which can be trimmed and pretreated with autologous blood or plasma for enhanced healing, and feature ribs or protuberances for interference fit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If bone void filler material is not preformed into the typical shape of the two bone voids, then the implant system requires custom shaping during surgery, but this increases surgical time and complexity while reducing precision in filling the harvest sites
Solution Approach 1:
The bone void filler material is preformed into the typical shape of the two bone voids (patella void and tibial tuberosity void) before surgery. This preliminary shaping eliminates the need for custom shaping during surgery, reducing surgical time and complexity while ensuring precise fit in the harvest sites.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant system specifies particular dimensions and shapes for the bone void fillers to match the typical geometry of the harvest sites. By standardizing these parameters, the system achieves precise fitting without requiring custom fabrication during surgery.
2Reliability
If the grafts are not pretreated with autologous blood or plasma, then the healing process is slower, but pretreatment adds surgical time and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The grafts are pretreated with autologous blood or plasma before insertion into the bone voids. This preliminary treatment enhances the healing process by pre-conditioning the graft material with growth factors and cellular components, improving reliability without requiring complex multi-step procedures during surgery.
3Strength
If the implants are made with high density for strength, then mechanical strength is improved, but solubility and bone ingrowth capability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The bone void filler material is designed with a porous structure that provides both mechanical strength and bone ingrowth capability. The porosity allows bone cells to infiltrate and remodel the implant, while the overall density is optimized to maintain sufficient mechanical strength. This approach resolves the contradiction by creating a material that is neither too dense nor too porous.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant system uses composite materials that combine different properties to achieve both strength and biocompatibility. The synthetic graft material is formulated to balance mechanical properties with osteoconductive and osteoinductive characteristics, enabling simultaneous strength and bone ingrowth.
4Reliability
If the grafts are not designed with ribs or protuberances, then the insertion process is simpler, but the implants may shift or dislodge from the bone voids
Solution Approach 1:
The grafts are designed with ribs or protuberances at specific locations to create an interference fit within the bone voids. These localized structural features provide stability and prevent shifting, while the overall insertion process remains relatively simple. The local modifications do not complicate the overall procedure but ensure reliable implant positioning.
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 implants effectively promote bone ingrowth, reduce pain by fully replacing the bone voids, and prevent shifting through precise insertion methods, maintaining normal anatomy and stability.
Implementation Method 1
manufactured out of an osteoconductive or osteoinductive material that promotes new bone growth and replacement of the implants
Implementation Method 2
manufactured out of an osteoconductive or osteoinductive material that promotes new bone growth and replacement of the implants
Implementation Method 3
The implants may be provided with ribs and/or protuberances on the sides of the implants, to create some interference fit when inserted (pressed) into place
Data Source
AI summary
A method of synthetic grafting of bone-tendon-bone autograft harvest sites using preformed synthetic trapezoidal implants. The implants are formed of tricalcium phosphate, an osteoconductive bone graft substitute and filler, which allows for simultaneous controlled absorption and promotion of osteogenesis. The implants are preferably pretreated or presoaked intraoperatively in autologous blood, or autologous conditioned plasma, or bone marrow aspirate products to enhance healing ability. The implants are trimmed to match the patellar pole shape, pressed into place in the bone voids, and oversewn to complete the procedure.