Programmable implants and methods of using programmable implants to repair bone structures
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Publication Number
US-9271845-B2
Publication Date
2016-03-01
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
The invention describes an implant for interfacing with a bone structure that includes a web structure comprising a plurality of struts joined at nodes to form a space truss. The space truss comprises a plurality of planar truss units, and the web structure is configured to interface with bone tissue.
The planar truss units are coupled so 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. The implant is configured so that a diameter and/or length of the struts and/or density of the web structure are predetermined.
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. The invention further describes repairing a bone structure by obtaining the implant and coupling the implant to the bone structure.
Claims Coverage
Two independent claims are identified: an implant claim and a method of repairing a bone structure claim. Each independent claim contains two core inventive features: a space truss web with non-substantially-parallel coupled planar truss units, and predetermined strut geometry and/or web density configured to create microstrain in adhered osteoblasts, bone matrix, or lamellar tissue when in contact with bone.
Non-substantially-parallel planar truss units in a space truss web
A web structure comprising a plurality of struts joined at nodes to form a space truss comprising a plurality of planar truss units, wherein 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.
Predetermined strut diameter, length, or density to create microstrain in adhered osteogenic tissue
A diameter and/or length of the struts and/or density of the web structure are 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.
Coupling the microstrain-configured implant to repair a bone structure
A method of repairing a bone structure comprising obtaining an implant including the space truss web with non-substantially-parallel coupled planar truss units and predetermined strut diameter, length, and/or density configured to create microstrain in adhered osteoblasts, bone matrix, or lamellar tissue, and coupling the implant to the bone structure.
The independent claims cover a bone-interfacing implant and a method of repairing bone using a space-truss web of struts joined at nodes, with planar truss units coupled such that adjacent planes are not substantially parallel, and with predetermined strut diameter, length, and/or web density configured to create microstrain in adhered osteoblasts, bone matrix, or lamellar tissue when the web structure contacts bone.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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