Programmable intramedullary implants and methods of using programmable intramedullary implants to repair bone structures
Inventors
Hunt, Jessee • Carmody, Cameron N. • Ganey, Timothy
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12115071-B2
Publication Date
2024-10-15
Expiration Date
Abstract
Various embodiments of implant systems and related apparatus, and methods of operating the same are described herein. In various embodiments, an intermedullary 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
The invention relates to a programmable intramedullary implant having an intramedullary body insertable into a medullary cavity of a bone, where the body is a solid body with a tapered section that has at least one outer contact face. A space truss is coupled to the outer contact face(s) of the tapered section and, during use, is at least partially disposed inside the medullary cavity between the intramedullary body and the medullary cavity. The space truss comprises two or more planar truss units with struts joined at nodes.
A core aspect is that the diameter and/or length of the struts and/or the density of the space truss are predetermined so that when the space truss is in contact with the bone, at least a portion of strain on the intramedullary body is distributed through the space truss to the bone. The disclosed rationale connects strain distribution to osteointegration and bone remodeling, including microstrain-driven cellular response, where the strut-induced microstrain/lengthening of adherent osteoblasts is linked to enhanced BMP production and an osteogenic response.
The document further describes programming the space truss by varying physical properties across strut portions, such as deformation strength differences between central and longitudinal struts, and differential diameters/materials/density/porosity. In additional embodiments, the implant includes a tapered intramedullary body with the space truss disposed inside the medullary cavity between the rod/body and the cavity, and an optional microtruss coating for adhesion. Structural web architectures are described using planar truss unit combinations and geometric options such as lordosis.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes three independent claims: one directed to an implant, one directed to a method of forming openings and inserting the implant, and one directed to an implant that further includes an extra-corporal component. Across these independent claims, the coverage focuses on a solid tapered intramedullary body with at least one outer contact face, coupled to an internal space truss made of two or more planar truss units with struts joined at nodes, with predetermined strut diameter/length and/or space-truss density configured to distribute strain through the space truss to the bone when in contact.
Tapered intramedullary body with internal space truss strain distribution
An implant comprising an intramedullary body insertable into a medullary cavity, the body being a solid body having a tapered section with at least one outer contact face, and a space truss coupled to the at least one outer contact face, wherein during use the space truss is at least partially disposed inside the medullary cavity between the intramedullary body and the medullary cavity, the space truss comprises two or more planar truss units with struts joined at nodes, and wherein a diameter and/or length of the struts and/or density of the space truss are predetermined such that when the space truss is in contact with the bone at least a portion of strain on the intramedullary body is distributed through the space truss to the bone.
Opening formation and insertion of implant with tapered portion and planar truss web in-cavity
A method comprising forming one or more openings into the medullary cavity of a bone; and inserting at least a portion of an implant into the medullary cavity, wherein the implant comprises a solid intramedullary body insertable into the medullary cavity with a tapered portion comprising one or more outer contact faces, and a space truss coupled to at least one of the outer contact faces of the tapered portion, wherein after insertion the space truss is at least partially disposed inside the medullary cavity between the intramedullary body of the implant and the medullary cavity, and wherein the space truss comprises two or more planar truss units having a plurality of struts joined at nodes.
Implant with extra-corporal component for prosthetic connector plus tapered in-cavity strain distribution
An implant comprising a solid intramedullary body insertable into a medullary cavity of a bone, the body having a tapered portion comprising one or more outer contact faces; a space truss coupled to at least one of the outer contact faces of the tapered portion, wherein during use the space truss is at least partially disposed inside the medullary cavity between the intramedullary body and the medullary cavity, and the space truss comprises two or more planar truss units having a plurality of struts joined at nodes; and an extra-corporal component which can receive a corresponding connector from a prosthetic device; wherein a diameter and/or length of the struts and/or density of the space truss are predetermined such that when the space truss is in contact with the bone at least a portion of strain on the intramedullary rod is distributed through the space truss to the bone.
Overall, the independent claims cover an intramedullary solid tapered implant with an internal space truss of two or more planar truss units, where predetermined strut diameter/length and/or space-truss density configures strain distribution to the bone. A method claim adds forming openings and inserting such an implant into the medullary cavity, and a further implant claim adds an extra-corporal component configured to receive a prosthetic connector.
Stated Advantages
Optimized stress transfer through distributed strain using the space truss when in contact with the bone.
Avoidance of stress shielding / adaptive bone remodeling is addressed via the disclosed strain-distribution and osteointegration rationale.
Enhanced BMP production and osteogenic response are linked to strut-induced microstrain/lengthening of adherent osteoblasts.
Documented Applications
Intramedullary use of the implant, with a tapered intramedullary body and a space truss disposed inside the medullary cavity between the rod/body and the cavity.
Use of the implant in conjunction with prosthetic devices by providing an extra-corporal component to receive a corresponding connector.
Osteointegration and osteogenic response context, including bone remodeling and mitigation of periprosthetic osteolysis in the disclosed rationale.
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