Tricalcium Phosphate Coarse Particle Composition for Bone Repair

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for advanced calcium phosphate cement formulations that can effectively resemble natural bone mineral phase for use in orthopedic and dental applications, with existing formulations lacking in terms of advanced properties and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The method involves converting an initial tricalcium phosphate particulate composition to hydroxyapatite, sintering it, and then mechanically manipulating the resulting hydroxyapatite to produce a tricalcium phosphate coarse particle composition, which is used in calcium phosphate cements for medical and dental applications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional calcium phosphate cement formulations are used, then the basic setting function is achieved, but the compressive strength and structural resemblance to natural bone are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompressive strengthVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-sintering tricalcium phosphate particles to form coarse particles with specific structural characteristics before incorporating them into the cement formulation. This pre-processing step creates particles that already possess enhanced compressive strength and structural features resembling natural bone, which then directly contribute to the final cement's mechanical properties without requiring complex post-processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite materials by combining coarse pre-sintered tricalcium phosphate particles with fine tricalcium phosphate particles and other calcium phosphate components. This multi-scale composite structure, featuring both coarse particles for strength and fine particles for filling and reactivity, achieves superior compressive strength and bone-like structural characteristics while maintaining manufacturability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If the particle size distribution is not optimized, then the production process is simple, but the setting speed and mechanical properties are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesetting speedVSAvoidparticle size control

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the tricalcium phosphate particles into distinct size categories: coarse particles (0.1-1.0 mm) obtained through pre-sintering and fine particles (<0.1 mm) obtained through milling. This segmentation creates a multi-scale particle size distribution where coarse particles provide structural framework and rapid setting, while fine particles fill voids and enhance density, achieving optimized setting speed without requiring overly complex particle size control mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Stability of the object's composition

If coarse particles are used to improve structural properties, then the bone-like structure is enhanced, but the flowability and ease of application are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidflowability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by assigning different functional roles to particles of different sizes within the cement composition. Coarse particles (0.1-1.0 mm) serve as structural scaffolds providing stability and bone-like architecture, while fine particles (<0.1 mm) serve as flowability enhancers and void fillers. This local differentiation of particle functions based on size allows the cement to simultaneously achieve both structural stability and adequate flowability for clinical application

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

This approach yields a high-yield production of coarse tricalcium phosphate particles that can be used in calcium phosphate cements, providing enhanced properties such as high compressive strength, rapid setting, and stability for bone repair and dental applications.

Implementation Method 1

sintering the resultant hydroxyapatite to produce a second tricalcium phosphate composition

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSintering: Sintering

Data Source

PatentUS8246736B2Tricalcium phosphate coarse particle compositions and methods for making the same

Publication Date: 2012.08.21 COLSON MEDICAL LLC

AI summary

Methods for preparing a tricalcium phosphate coarse particle composition are provided. Aspects of the methods include converting an initial tricalcium phosphate particulate composition to hydroxyapatite, sintering the resultant hydroxyapatite to produce a second tricalcium phosphate composition and then mechanically manipulating the second tricalcium phosphate composition to produce a tricalcium phosphate coarse particle composition. The subject methods and compositions produced thereby find use in a variety of applications.