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Publication Number
US-11857393-B2
Publication Date
2024-01-02
Expiration Date
Abstract
An internal bone fixation device that includes a support frame that is strong but able to absorb compressive forces and that surrounds a porous architecture that helps facilitate bone fusion.
Core Innovation
The internal bone fixation device includes at least three layers arranged in a vertical orientation relative to one another. Each layer includes an inner rim and an outer rim arranged in a horizontal orientation relative to one another, and the inner rim and outer rim are connected by one or more rim struts. The inner rim of each layer defines a central open channel, while the frame bounds a porous architecture.
The at least three layers are connected to one another by one or more layer struts, and the layer struts and rim struts are configured to connect the inner rims and outer rims and the at least three layers in an alternating pattern. This alternating pattern forms an approximate s-shape or a reverse s-shape for every three layers, with the layer struts extending in an alternating pattern between either the outer rim on one layer and the inner rim on the next layer or between the inner rim on one layer and the outer rim on the next layer.
At least a portion of the area between layers includes a porous architecture with openings/spaces contacting bone to promote bone ingrowth. The offset strut arrangement enables a smaller rim with sufficient strength/flexibility to absorb compressive forces, while porous lattice/matrix/honeycomb/random architectures are described within the porous architecture.
Claims Coverage
The provided material contains one independent claim (clm-00001). The main inventive features are concentrated in the multi-layer rim/strut geometry that forms an approximate s-shape (or reverse s-shape) for every three layers and the inclusion of a porous architecture between layers, with further refinements described in dependent claims.
Multi-layer rim-and-strut internal bone fixation with alternating S-shape pattern
At least three layers arranged in a vertical orientation relative to one another, each layer having an inner rim and an outer rim arranged in a horizontal orientation relative to one another and connected by one or more rim struts, with the layers connected by one or more layer struts in an alternating pattern that forms an approximate s-shape or a reverse s-shape for every three layers.
Alternating layer struts between inner rim and outer rim
Layer struts configured to connect the layers to one another by extending in an alternating pattern between either the outer rim on one layer and between the inner rim on the next layer or between the inner rim on one layer and the outer rim on the next layer.
Porous architecture between layers
At least a portion of the area between layers includes a porous architecture.
Across the independent-claim scope shown, the inventive concept is a vertically stacked, horizontally rimmed multi-layer internal bone fixation device whose rim struts and layer struts alternate to form an approximate s-shape (or reverse s-shape) for every three layers, combined with a porous architecture located between layers.
Stated Advantages
Promotes bone ingrowth through porous architecture openings/spaces contacting bone.
Enables a smaller rim with sufficient strength/flexibility to absorb compressive forces.
Documented Applications
Lumbar interbody fusion at a disc space between vertebrae, using layered geometries with lordotic curvature adapted to lumbar interbody fusion.
Mid-shaft long bone implant for a femur using a cylindrical arrangement and an odd number of layers.
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