Enhanced Absorbable Polymer Medical Implant for Tissue Integration
Legal Citation
Summary of the Inventive Concept
An advanced absorbable polymer medical implant featuring optimized microstructure-mediated absorption profiles for enhanced tissue integration, addressing limitations of existing implants.
Background and Problem Solved
The original patent's absorbable polymer medical implant, while innovative, has limitations in facilitating efficient tissue integration. The new inventive concept addresses these limitations by introducing a textured outer surface with microfeatures of varying diameters and heights, facilitating deposition of connective tissue between microfeatures and enhancing tissue integration.
Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept
The new inventive concept comprises a medical implant with a textured outer surface featuring a first plurality of microstructures having a diameter of 1-15 microns and a height of 10-25 microns, and a second plurality of microstructures having a diameter of 25-50 microns and a height of 26-50 microns. The microstructures are arranged to facilitate deposition of connective tissue between at least a portion of the microstructures. Additionally, the outer surface may include a porous layer with a porosity of 50-80%, and the microfeatures may be treated with a surface treatment to enhance tissue integration. The inventive concept also encompasses methods for enhancing tissue integration and fabricating the absorbable polymer medical implant.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The new claims introduce novel microstructure arrangements, porous layers, and surface treatments that significantly improve tissue integration, distinguishing the inventive concept from the original patent. The varying diameters and heights of the microfeatures, combined with the porous layer and surface treatment, provide a non-obvious solution to the limitations of existing implants.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Alternative embodiments may include varying the diameter and height ranges of the microfeatures, using different materials for the porous layer, or applying different surface treatments. The inventive concept could also be adapted for use in various medical implant applications, such as orthopedic, cardiovascular, or dental implants.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
The enhanced absorbable polymer medical implant has significant commercial potential in the medical device industry, particularly in the fields of orthopedic, cardiovascular, and dental implants. The improved tissue integration capabilities of the inventive concept could lead to increased adoption and market share, as well as expanded applications in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering.
CPC Classifications
| Section | Class | Group |
|---|---|---|
| A | A61 | A61L27/58 |
| A | A61 | A61L27/18 |
| A | A61 | A61L27/22 |
| A | A61 | A61L27/34 |
| A | A61 | A61L31/06 |
| A | A61 | A61L31/10 |
| A | A61 | A61L31/148 |
| A | A61 | A61L27/30 |
| A | A61 | A61L31/043 |
Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)
Field of Art
Biomedical engineering, specifically surgical implant design with focus on absorbable polymer materials and surface microstructure engineering for tissue integration
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
A biomedical engineer or materials scientist with expertise in polymer design, surface modification techniques, and medical implant fabrication, holding at least a master's degree with 3-5 years of specialized experience in biomaterials and tissue engineering
Obviousness Rationale
A person having ordinary skill would recognize that the PTD's variations represent predictable modifications to the source patent's microstructure design, utilizing standard engineering techniques of adjusting feature dimensions, adding surface treatments, and incorporating porous layers to enhance tissue integration. The disclosed variations follow established design principles in medical implant engineering and represent incremental improvements that would be apparent to a skilled practitioner examining the original patent's teachings.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,857,700 |
|---|---|
| Title | Device with microstructure mediated absorption profile |
| Assignee(s) | BVW Holding AG |