Medical implants with increased hydrophilicity
Inventors
Ghiselli, Gary • Whang, Peter • HAFIZ, JAMI • Crudden, Joseph • Johns, Derrick W.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-9107765-B2
Publication Date
2015-08-18
Expiration Date
Abstract
Devices such as orthopedic implants are composed of a thermoplastic resin such as polyaryletheretherketone (PEEK), and include a ceramic species, such as a zeolite, to enhance its hydrophilic properties. The ceramic species can be a surface coating, can be incorporated or embedded into the thermoplastic resin, or can be both a surface coating and incorporated or embedded into the resin. In certain embodiments, the ceramic species is zeolite that is incorporated into the device, especially at the exposed surface of the device, and is devoid of antimicrobial metal ions. The device is introduced into the body surgically.
Core Innovation
The disclosed invention relates to medical implants having an exposed surface, wherein the implant comprises a thermoplastic resin with aluminosilicate particles incorporated therein. The aluminosilicate particles are devoid of antimicrobial metal ions and are present in the resin in an amount sufficient to impart a negative charge to the exposed surface of the implant, thereby modifying the surface chemistry.
In a related embodiment, the invention provides a device having an exposed surface for implantation in a patient, where the device comprises a thermoplastic resin having aluminosilicate particles incorporated therein. The aluminosilicate particles are devoid of antimicrobial metal ions and are present in an amount sufficient to impart a negative charge to the exposed surface, with the stated purpose of minimizing biofilm formation in the patient.
Further, the invention includes a medical implant where the aluminosilicate particles are incorporated in a thermoplastic resin and are devoid of antimicrobial metal ions, with the particles being present in an amount effective for rendering the exposed surface hydrophilic. The document also describes orthopedic and spinal fusion contexts including an intervertebral space and a spinal interbody cage, and specifies thermoplastic resin examples such as PEEK/PEKK, as well as radio opacity/X-ray visibility.
Claims Coverage
The document includes three independent claims: a medical implant with a negative surface charge imparted by antimicrobial-ion-free aluminosilicate in a thermoplastic resin; a method of minimizing biofilm formation by implanting such a device; and a medical implant where antimicrobial-ion-free aluminosilicate renders the exposed surface hydrophilic. Across these independent claims, the inventive content centers on aluminosilicate particles without antimicrobial metal ions and a surface functional effect achieved by including an amount of aluminosilicate in a thermoplastic resin.
Negative charge from aluminosilicate devoid of antimicrobial metal ions
A medical implant having an exposed surface, comprising a thermoplastic resin with aluminosilicate particles incorporated therein, the aluminosilicate particles being devoid of antimicrobial metal ions and present in the resin in an amount sufficient to impart a negative charge to the exposed surface.
Implantation to minimize biofilm formation using negatively charged surfaces
A method of minimizing biofilm formation in a patient, comprising implanting in the patient a device having an exposed surface, the device comprising a thermoplastic resin with aluminosilicate particles incorporated therein, the aluminosilicate particles being devoid of antimicrobial metal ions and present in the resin in an amount sufficient to impart a negative charge to the exposed surface.
Hydrophilic exposed surface from antimicrobial-ion-free aluminosilicate
A medical implant having an exposed surface, comprising a thermoplastic resin with aluminosilicate particles incorporated therein, the aluminosilicate particles being devoid of antimicrobial metal ions, wherein the aluminosilicate particles are present in an amount effective for rendering the exposed surface hydrophilic.
Overall, the independent claims are directed to implants/devices that incorporate aluminosilicate particles free of antimicrobial metal ions in a thermoplastic resin, where the incorporated aluminosilicate content provides a negative surface charge and/or renders the exposed surface hydrophilic, with a stated link to minimizing biofilm formation after implantation.
Stated Advantages
Minimizing biofilm formation in a patient.
Imparting a negative charge to the exposed surface of the implant/device.
Rendering the exposed surface hydrophilic.
Documented Applications
Medical implants for orthopedic use, including spinal fusion/arthrodesis contexts using an intervertebral space and a spinal interbody cage.
A method of minimizing biofilm formation in a patient by implanting a device having an exposed surface.
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