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Publication Number
US-10849756-B2
Publication Date
2020-12-01
Expiration Date
Abstract
Various embodiments of implant systems and related apparatus, and methods of operating the same are described herein. In various embodiments, an implant for interfacing with a bone structure includes a web structure, including a space truss, configured to interface with human bone tissue. The space truss includes two or more planar truss units having a plurality of struts joined at nodes. Implants are optimized for the expected stress applied at the bone structure site.
Core Innovation
An implant for interfacing with a bone structure includes a web structure comprising a plurality of struts joined at nodes, where the web structure is configured to interface with human bone tissue. The web structure comprises a space truss comprising two or more planar truss units, including coupled planar truss units, and one or more of the planar truss units lie in a plane that is not substantially parallel to a plane of a planar truss unit that shares at least one strut with the one or more planar truss units.
The density of the web structure is predetermined such that, when the web structure is in contact with the bone, at least a portion of the struts create microstrain in adhered osteoblasts, bone matrix, or lamellar tissue. Predetermined microstrain ranges are described in the context of adhered osteoblasts, and an alternative quantitative tissue response is described in which the struts cause an adhered osteoblast length change of about 0.05% to about 0.2%.
The space-truss arrangement is further specified by the planar truss unit geometry, including planar triangular truss units having three substantially straight struts and three nodes arranged in a triangular configuration. The disclosed implant is also described as a programmable bone implant with micro-truss and planar triangular planar truss unit concepts that interface with human bone, and the induced mechanical effects in contact with the bone are linked to an osteogenic response mediated by BMP.
Claims Coverage
The document provides two independent claims directed to an implant device and a method of repairing a bone structure. Across these, the main inventive features are: a strut-and-node web space truss with non-parallel coupled planar truss unit planes; and a predetermined web density configured to induce microstrain in adhered osteoblasts or related bone tissue at the bone contact, with dependent claims adding quantitative microstrain or osteoblast length-change ranges and specifying planar triangular truss unit geometry.
Predetermined density space-truss web that induces microstrain in adhered osteoblasts or bone tissue
An implant for interfacing with a bone structure having a web structure comprising struts joined at nodes, wherein the density of the web structure is predetermined such that, when the web structure is in contact with the bone, at least a portion of the struts create a microstrain in adhered osteoblasts, bone matrix, or lamellar tissue.
Non-substantially parallel planes of coupled planar truss units sharing a strut
In the implant, one or more planar truss units are coupled such that one or more planar truss units lie in a plane that is not substantially parallel to a plane of a planar truss unit that shares at least one strut with the one or more planar truss units.
Repairing a bone structure by coupling the predetermined-density implant to the bone
A method of repairing a bone structure that obtains an implant including a web structure interfacing with human bone tissue, where the web structure comprises a space truss with coupled planar truss units arranged in non-substantially parallel planes, and where the density of the web structure is predetermined such that struts create microstrain in adhered osteoblasts, and coupling the implant to the bone structure.
Predetermined quantitative microstrain or osteoblast length change
The implant or the method further limits the predetermined density such that the struts induce microstrain in adhered osteoblasts within specified ranges, or such that the struts cause an adhered osteoblast length change between about 0.05% and about 0.2%.
Planar triangular truss units with three struts and three nodes
One or more planar truss units are planar triangular truss units comprising three substantially straight struts and three nodes arranged in a triangular configuration.
Overall claim coverage centers on an implant with a space-truss web of struts joined at nodes that interfaces with human bone, where predetermined web density is selected to create microstrain in adhered osteoblasts or related bone tissue, while coupled planar truss units are arranged in planes that are not substantially parallel. Dependent claims further specify quantitative microstrain or osteoblast length-change ranges and define the planar truss units as planar triangular units with three struts and three nodes.
Stated Advantages
Promotes an osteogenic response mediated by BMP.
Documented Applications
Repairing a bone structure by coupling the implant to the bone structure.
Interfacing a programmable bone implant with human bone tissue.
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