Programmable implant having curved or arced struts
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Publication Number
US-9987137-B2
Publication Date
2018-06-05
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 a programmable spinal implant having a web structure comprising a plurality of struts joined at nodes to form a space truss comprising a plurality of planar truss units. The web structure is configured to interface with bone tissue, and 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 further includes a predetermined diameter and/or length of the struts and/or density of the web structure. 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 described structural configurations, the planar truss units can include planar triangular truss units having three substantially straight struts connected to three nodes in a triangular arrangement. In certain implementations, a first planar triangular truss unit is coupled to a second planar triangular truss unit in an opposing arrangement using a single node that serves as the apex of each triangular truss unit.
Claims Coverage
The document includes two independent claims: one to a spinal implant for interfacing with a subject’s spine and one to a method of repairing a bone structure in a subject’s spine. Across these independent claims, the inventive coverage centers on a space-truss web formed by coupled planar truss units with non-substantially-parallel planes, with strut diameter/length/density predetermined to create microstrain in adhered osteoblasts, bone matrix, or lamellar tissue.
Space-truss web with non-substantially-parallel planar truss unit planes
A web structure comprising a plurality of struts joined at nodes to form a space truss comprising a plurality of planar truss units, wherein the web structure is configured to interface with bone tissue and the planar truss units are coupled 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 with the one or more planar truss units.
Predetermined strut diameter/length/density to create microstrain in adhered osteoblasts and 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.
Placing the implant between vertebrae for bone repair
Placing the implant in between vertebrae of the subject's spine in a method of repairing a bone structure.
The independent claims cover a spinal implant with a coupled planar-truss space web using non-substantially-parallel adjacent planes and predetermined strut diameter/length/density configured to generate microstrain in adhered osteoblasts, bone matrix, or lamellar tissue; the method claim further requires placing the implant between vertebrae.
Stated Advantages
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