Wireless Electrolysis for Silver Ion Release on Joint Implants
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current joint implant coatings fail to sustainably release antimicrobial agents, leading to biofilm formation and infection, as they either wear off or cause toxic effects, necessitating invasive procedures like debridement or implant removal.
Innovation Solution
A wireless electrolysis system using a silver-coated implant that releases silver ions through electromagnetic induction, providing a sustained antimicrobial action without invasive procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional joint implant coatings are used, then the implant provides structural support, but the coatings fail to sustainably release antimicrobial agents leading to biofilm formation and infection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by utilizing electromagnetic induction to dynamically control the release of silver ions from the implant coating. By applying an alternating current, the system changes the physical state and release rate of antimicrobial agents, enabling sustained release throughout the implant's lifespan rather than a fixed, limited duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuity of useful action through the electromagnetic induction mechanism that continuously generates silver ions at the implant surface. The alternating current maintains continuous antimicrobial activity throughout the implant's service life, preventing biofilm formation and infection without the need for repeated interventions.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If antimicrobial coatings are applied to implants, then infection risk is reduced, but the coatings wear off or cause toxic effects requiring invasive procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by designing the implant coating to automatically generate and release silver ions through electromagnetic induction when exposed to an alternating current. The system serves itself by continuously replenishing antimicrobial agents at the implant surface without requiring external intervention, removing, or replacing the coating, thereby eliminating the need for invasive procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes to control the release characteristics of silver ions through electromagnetic induction. By adjusting the frequency and amplitude of the alternating current, the system can modulate the release rate to match the specific needs of different patients and infection risks, optimizing both durability and effectiveness.
3Reliability
If complete implant removal is performed to treat infection, then the infection can be addressed, but the patient is left without a joint for months experiencing instability and immobility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuity of useful action by maintaining sustained antimicrobial release throughout the implant's lifespan, preventing infection before it requires removal. This continuous protection eliminates the need for complete implant removal to treat infections, thereby avoiding the lengthy recovery period and immobility that would otherwise be required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the skipping principle by rushing through the infection prevention problem through continuous electromagnetic induction-based silver ion release. Instead of allowing infection to develop and require lengthy removal and replacement procedures, the system proactively prevents infection at its source, skipping the entire problematic sequence of events.
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 system effectively prevents and eradicates biofilm formation, reducing the risk of infection and the need for invasive treatments by maintaining optimal antimicrobial levels over the implant's lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
the electron flow in the second conducting material is produced by electromagnetic induction
Implementation Method 2
the medical implant receives the time-varying magnetic field and releases the agents based on an induced current in response to the time-varying magnetic field
Data Source
AI summary
Post-operative infection in joint prostheses is a problem due to adverse consequences such as surgical debridement or implant removal. Embodiments create a coating that can be powered to release microbicidal agents to both ensure the prevention of infections, and avoid the development of antibiotic resistance. Silver ions have been well established for antimicrobial characteristics, and thus make an advantageous implant coating. Reverse electrolysis allows the ions to be released for a sustained period of time, and then collected back onto to the implant to avoid silver poisoning. A wireless reverse electrolysis system releases a sufficient amount of silver ions to break down biofilm surrounding a joint implant. By applying a modulated current waveform that has a net negative value to a conducting copper strip, the mirror current induced on the silver coating surface has a net positive flow, allowing ions to be released into surrounding tissue. Using this method, an average silver concentration of 32 ppb is created in surrounding medium after 12 hours, sufficient to eradicate bacteria directly around the silver. The ability to wirelessly induce electrolysis of silver ions to kill a significant quantity of bacteria can be used in surgical procedures to avoid post-operative infection in joint prostheses.