Programmable implant having an angled exterior surface
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Publication Number
US-9572669-B2
Publication Date
2017-02-21
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 provides an implant for interfacing with a bone structure. The implant includes a web structure with a plurality of struts joined at nodes to form a space truss comprising a plurality of planar truss units, and the planar truss units are arranged 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.
Exterior surface struts couple the nodes of non-equivalent angle planar truss units to each other so the implant has a varied height. A diameter and/or length of the struts and/or density of the web structure are predetermined, and 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.
In one disclosed aspect, the geometry of the planar truss units includes planar triangular truss units formed by three substantially straight struts connected to three nodes in a triangular configuration. The invention also describes planar truss units in which a first planar triangular truss unit and a second planar triangular truss unit are coupled in opposing manner with a single node serving as an apex for each triangular truss unit.
A repair method is also disclosed that includes obtaining the implant and coupling the implant to the bone structure. The implant used in the method includes the same space-truss web architecture with planar truss units lying in planes not substantially parallel to each other, with predetermined strut dimensions and/or web density so that contact with the bone produces microstrain in adhered osteoblasts, bone matrix, or lamellar tissue.
Claims Coverage
The document provides two independent claims: an implant claim and a method claim. Both claims share a core combination of a space-truss web of struts forming planar truss units arranged in non-substantially-parallel planes, with predetermined strut geometry to create microstrain in bone-related adhered structures, and with differing strut-node angles that produce a varied implant height.
Space-truss web of planar truss units with non-substantially-parallel planes
A web structure with a plurality of struts joined at nodes to form a space truss comprising a plurality of planar truss units, arranged so 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 geometry to create microstrain in adhered bone structures
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.
Varied height from non-equivalent planar truss angles and exterior coupling
One or more angles defined by two struts and a node of one or more planar truss units are different than one or more corresponding angles defined by two struts and a node of one or more other planar truss units, wherein connecting exterior surface struts couple the nodes of the non-equivalent angle planar truss units to each other such that the implant has a varied height.
Repair method using the microstrain-inducing implant
A method of repairing a bone structure comprising obtaining an implant having the space-truss web architecture and predetermined strut geometry such that, when the web structure is in contact with bone, at least a portion of the struts create microstrain in adhered osteoblasts, bone matrix, or lamellar tissue, and coupling the implant to the bone structure.
Across the independent implant and method claims, the coverage focuses on a bone-interfacing space-truss web made of struts joined at nodes into planar truss units arranged in non-substantially-parallel planes, with predetermined strut diameter/length and/or web density to create microstrain in adhered osteoblasts/bone matrix/lamellar tissue, and with different planar-truss angles linked by connecting exterior surface struts to produce a varied height.
Stated Advantages
Improved load distribution.
Increased bone graft fusion surface area.
Reduced stress risers and implant loosening risk.
Documented Applications
Repairing a bone structure by coupling the disclosed implant to the bone structure.
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