Improvements:
(1) Introduction of bioabsorbabilty
(2) Reduces risk of infection |
(3) Keeps variable stiffness
(4) Improve machinability |
Design Specifications
Fixate bone:
Reduce Stress Shielding
Reduce Recovery Time
Biocompatible
Feasible Machinability
- The device must align the fractured bone and keep it fixation during the healing process
- The device must be able to withstand 50 N of force at the implantation site.
- The device must prevent displacement at the location site so the fractured bone may remain stable, immobilized, and secured.
- The material must also have degradation properties that allow enough time for the bone to heal before the majority of the material degrades.
Reduce Stress Shielding
- The material of the device must have similar mechanical properties of bone.
- Implement a variable stiffness design
- Utilize two biodegradable polymers, in which the first will degrade faster than the second
Reduce Recovery Time
- By implementing biodegradable polymers as the material for the device, a second surgery is not needed
- The recovery time can be reduced and decrease the risk for infection.
Biocompatible
- Minimize the toxicity and reactivity of the material and degradation properties in the body
Feasible Machinability
- Only specific machines available to use to build and test the fixation device