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Publication Number
US-9999516-B2
Publication Date
2018-06-19
Expiration Date
Abstract
In various embodiments, an implant for interfacing with a bone structure includes a web structure including a space truss. The space truss includes two or more planar truss units having a plurality of struts joined at nodes and the web structure is configured to interface with human bone tissue. In some embodiments, a method is provided that includes accessing an intersomatic space and inserting an implant into the intersomatic space. The implant includes a web structure including a space truss. The space truss includes two or more planar truss units having a plurality of struts joined at nodes and the web structure is configured to interface with human bone tissue.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an implant having an internal web structure that comprises a plurality of planar truss units coupled to each other. Each planar truss unit includes struts coupled to nodes, and one or more angles defined by two struts and a node of one planar truss unit differs from corresponding angles defined by two struts and a node of another planar truss unit. 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.
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. This arrangement provides a varied height and a non-parallel planar coupling relationship among adjacent planar truss units within the internal web structure.
In a related aspect, the internal web structure includes a plurality of side surface planar truss units defining an exterior side surface, with struts coupled to nodes. Surface struts extend from nodes of the side surface planar truss units toward an interior portion of the implant, and the angle between the surface struts and the struts defining the side surface planar truss units is substantially greater than, or substantially less than, 90. Interior nodes coupling the surface struts to each other define an exterior surface of the implant.
Claims Coverage
This document includes four independent claims covering implant structures and methods with coupled planar truss units, non-equivalent angles, non-substantially-parallel planar coupling, and side surface planar truss units with surface struts forming an exterior surface. The inventive features emphasize internal web geometry, angle differences at nodes, varied height, non-planar surface formation, and installation between two separated bone portions.
Internal web with non-equivalent planar truss angles and varied height
An implant having an internal web structure comprising a plurality of planar truss units coupled to each other, the planar truss units comprising struts coupled to nodes, wherein one or more angles defined by two struts and a node of one planar truss unit are different than one or more corresponding angles defined by two struts and a node of another planar truss unit, and connecting exterior surface struts couple nodes of the non-equivalent angle planar truss units to each other such that the implant has a varied height.
Non-substantially-parallel coupling of adjacent planar truss units
The plurality of planar truss units are coupled to one another 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.
Installing implant between separated bone portions with non-equivalent-angle planar truss web
A method comprising installing, between two separated bone portions, an implant having an internal web structure comprising a plurality of planar truss units coupled to each other with struts coupled to nodes, wherein one or more angles defined by two struts and a node of one planar truss unit are different than one or more corresponding angles defined by two struts and a node of another planar truss unit, and wherein connecting exterior surface struts couple nodes of the non-equivalent angle planar truss units to each other, defining a non-planar surface; further wherein 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.
Side surface planar truss units with inward surface struts forming exterior surface at angle relative to 90
An implant comprising an internal web structure including a plurality of side surface planar truss units defining an exterior side surface of the implant, the side surface planar truss units comprising struts coupled to nodes; a plurality of surface struts extending from one or more nodes of one or more side surface planar truss units toward an interior portion of the implant, wherein the angle between the surface struts and the struts defining the side surface planar truss units is substantially greater than, or substantially less than 90; and a plurality of interior nodes coupling the surface struts to each other to define an exterior surface of the implant.
Overall, the claims cover implant structures where internal web geometry is defined by multiple coupled planar truss units using node and strut angle differences and non-substantially-parallel planar orientation, with exterior features formed through connecting exterior surface struts to produce varied height and a non-planar surface. A further independent claim family covers an internal web with side surface planar truss units and inward surface struts whose angle relative to 90 is specified, with interior nodes coupling the surface struts to define an exterior surface. Corresponding method claims cover installing these implants between two separated bone portions.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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