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Publication Number
US-10265174-B2
Publication Date
2019-04-23
Expiration Date
Abstract
An implant comprises a U-shaped suture channel which extends along a center line which has first and second end openings opposite each other opening to a common face. In an aspect the suture channel has a middle portion with a first size in cross section with respect to the center line of the suture channel and at least one of the end openings has a second size in cross section larger than the first size. In another aspect the first and second end openings of the U-shaped suture channel are formed by a first hole and a second hole extending into the implant from the common face in respective first and second directions extending into the implant from the common face, the first hole and the second hole communicating within the implant and providing the U-shaped suture channel through the implant, for guiding curved suture needles through the suture channel.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an implant for repairing a defect in a bone structure, comprising a body with at least a pair of faces facing in opposite directions and a U-shaped suture channel extending along a U-shaped center line through the implant. The U-shaped suture channel has opposite first and second end openings opening to a common face, with the suture channel middle portion having a first size in cross section with respect to the center line, and at least one of the end openings having a second size in cross section larger than the first size, for guiding curved suture needles through the suture channel.
The U-shaped suture channel is formed through communicating holes extending into the implant from the common face and an opposite face, where the first end opening is formed by a first hole extending into the implant from the common face in a first direction of extension and the opposite second end opening is formed by a second hole extending into the implant from the common face in a second direction of extension. A third hole extends into the implant in a third direction of extension and connects the first and second holes to provide the U-shaped suture channel through the implant, with the first to third holes being overlapping and at least pairwise connecting.
The first to third holes are mutually offset such that each of the first and second holes is provided with a blind portion realised by a bottom wall portion facing towards the common face, with a bridge spanning and defining a portion of the suture channel. Additional embodiments include additional intersecting or crossing U-shaped suture channel portions, including multi-channel arrangements sharing a common bridge, each having opposite end openings on the common face.
In further embodiments described for the same concept, the offset geometry provides a bottom wall portion that faces towards the common face and forms an edge or fulcrum, optionally with an edge angle less than about 120 degrees, configured to guide a curved needle beneath the bridge. The channel has an enclosed middle portion with a first size, both opposite end openings have a respective second size larger than the first size, each end opening comprises a blind portion with a bottom wall portion facing towards the common face, and the cross-sectional size increases from the middle portion towards both respective opposite end openings.
Claims Coverage
The document provides two independent claims covering core implant geometry and sizing of a U-shaped suture channel for guiding curved suture needles. Across these, the main inventive features are the U-shaped channel through the implant with opposite end openings to a common face, the size transition from a narrower middle portion under a bridge to larger end openings, and the overlapping, mutually offset first/second/third holes creating blind portions with bottom wall portions facing the common face.
U-shaped suture channel through implant with common face end openings
An implant for repairing a defect in a bone structure where the implant comprises a body with at least a pair of faces facing in opposite directions and a U-shaped suture channel extending along a U-shaped center line through the implant, having opposite first and second end openings opening to a common face.
First size middle portion and larger end openings for curved needle guidance
The suture channel has a middle portion with a first size in cross section with respect to the center line and at least one end opening has a second size in cross section larger than the first size, with sizing relative to a bridge spanning and defining a portion of the suture channel, for guiding curved suture needles through the suture channel.
Overlapping communicating holes forming the U-shaped suture channel
The first end opening is formed by a first hole extending into the implant from the common face in a first direction of extension and the opposite second end opening is formed by a second hole extending into the implant from the common face in a second direction of extension, wherein the first hole and second hole communicate within the implant providing the U-shaped suture channel through the implant; and a third hole extends into the implant in a third direction of extension and connects the first and second holes to provide the U-shaped suture channel.
Mutually offset holes creating blind portions with bottom wall portions facing the common face
The first to third holes are overlapping and at least pairwise connecting, and the first to third holes are mutually offset such that each of the first and second holes is provided with a blind portion realised by a bottom wall portion facing towards the common face.
U-shaped suture channel with enclosed middle portion and size increase toward both ends
An implant for repairing a defect in a bone structure with a U-shaped suture channel extending along a U-shaped center line through the implant and having opposite first and second end openings opening to a common face, where the suture channel has an enclosed middle portion with a first size in cross section and both opposite end openings have a respective second size in cross section larger than the first size, for guiding curved suture needles through the suture channel.
Blind end portions facing the common face and increasing channel cross-sectional size
Each of the first and second end openings comprises a blind portion having a bottom wall portion facing towards the common face and the cross sectional size of the channel increases in size from the middle portion towards both respective opposite first and second end openings.
Collectively, the independent claims cover a U-shaped suture channel through an implant with opposite end openings to a common face, where the channel has a first size at an enclosed middle portion under a bridge and a larger second size at end openings to guide curved suture needles. The claims additionally require overlapping, communicating holes extending into the implant in respective directions, mutually offset to create blind portions with bottom wall portions facing towards the common face, and in one independent embodiment a cross-sectional size increase from the middle portion toward both end openings.
Stated Advantages
Provides an implant geometry for guiding curved suture needles through the suture channel.
Documented Applications
Repairing a defect in a bone structure, including repairing bone defects with the described implant configuration.
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