1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to implants, and, more particularly, to orthopaedic implants.
2. Description of the Related Art
Orthopaedic implants include short-term implants, long-term implants, and non-permanent implants. Short-term implants include implants for the treatment of infection. Long-term implants include total implants for total hip, knee, shoulder, and elbow joints. Non-permanent implants include trauma products such as nails, plates, and external fixation devices.
Regarding short-term implants, when tissue, especially bone, surrounding an orthopaedic implant becomes infected, that implant must typically be removed, the infection must be eliminated, and a new implant (revision implant) is then implanted. The span of time between implant removal and revision implantation can be from several weeks (about 4 weeks) to a few months (approximately 3 months). During this time surgeons currently have two basic options: create temporary implants during surgery with antibiotic bone cement (created with or without the aid of a mold) or use a preformed antibiotic bone cement temporary implant (e.g. Exactech's InterSpace™ Hip and Knee). In either case, antibiotic bone cement is used to deliver antibiotics directly to the site of the infection in the bone. The patient also typically receives IV antibiotics. The shortcomings of such implants are the limited duration in which they deliver a clinically relevant dose of antibiotics, the lack of ability to change antibiotic type or dose during the 4-12 week treatment time, and the limited patient mobility, range of motion, and weight bearing that they allow.
Further, antibiotic cements typically provide useful local antibiotic levels for a duration of less than one week. The treatment time is frequently 6 to 8 weeks. However, beyond one week, the antibiotic cement implants provide no useful amount of antibiotics.
Further, infections can be caused by a great number of bacteria, viruses, yeast, etc. The effectiveness of various antibiotics depends greatly upon what in particular has caused the infection. Thus, in order to treat an infection most effectively, the cause of that infection must be known. The results of cell cultures give this information and indicate which antibiotic and dose will most effectively treat the infection. The samples for culturing are usually collected during surgery. The results of the culture are not known until several days after the surgery. Since the type of antibiotic cement used in current temporary implants must be chosen at or before the time of surgery, the information gained from the cultures cannot be applied to the antibiotics used at the infection site.
Further, one key to a patient recovering from joint surgery with full range of motion in that joint is to encourage movement of that joint. This helps to prevent the formation of scar tissue and stiffening of tissue around the joint. The current options for temporary implants allow limited range of motion and weight bearing at best.
Regarding long-term implants, with regard to bone ingrowth, bone ingrowth into a porous material is sometimes required to provide stability or fixation of an implant to the bone. Examples of this include porous coatings on total joint components, fusion devices (i.e., spinal fusion devices), and bone augmentation components (i.e., tibial wedges).
With regard to resorbtion, resorbtion can occur in the region surrounding a total joint implant for a number of reasons and can lead to implant loosening and subsequent revision surgery. Some causes of resorbtion include: (1) Stress shielding—Bone tissue requires loading to remain strong and healthy. If an implant does not properly transfer loads to the surrounding bone, regions of bone can resorb; (2) Lysis due to wear particles—Osteolysis and resorbtion are frequently caused by the body's reaction to wear particles created by the bearing of one total joint component on another; (3) Osteoporosis or other bone disorders—bone metabolic disorders can also cause the resorbtion of bone.
With regard to oncology, localized delivery of oncological drugs in the region of tumors may improve results in slowing/halting tumor growth. The ability for localized delivery may also lessen the need/dose of systemic drugs, resulting in fewer side effects.
Regarding non-permanent implants (i.e., trauma implants), such non-permanent implants include nails, plates, and external fixation devices. Nails are temporary, intramedullary devices. They are typically used to treat traumatic fracture. The risk of infection can be high especially in the case of open fractures. With regard to oncology, nails can be used to treat fractures associated with bone tumors. They can also be used to help prevent a fracture where cancer has weakened bone. Plates treat many of the same indications as nails; however plates are applied to the outside of the bone. External fixation devices are a temporary implant that is used to stabilize a fracture. These can be used for days to months. External fixation devices typically include several pins fixed in the bone and extending through the skin to a rigid plate, ring, rod, or similar stabilizing device. These devices carry the added risk of infection due to their extending through the skin. Bacteria can travel along the pins directly to the soft tissue and bone.
Further, orthopaedic implants include internal fixation devices and porous devices. Internal fixation devices include, but are not limited to, screws and anchors.
What is needed in the art is an orthopaedic implant which includes a reservoir and a plurality of channels leading from the reservoir to deliver at least one therapeutic agent locally to bone or surrounding soft tissue, the orthopaedic implant being an internal fixation device and/or a porous device.
The present invention provides an orthopaedic implant which includes a reservoir and a plurality of channels leading from the reservoir to deliver at least one therapeutic agent locally to bone or surrounding soft tissue, the orthopaedic implant being an internal fixation device and/or a porous device.
The invention in one form is directed to an orthopaedic implant system, including an orthopaedic implant implantable at a selected location within a corporeal body and configured for delivering at least one therapeutic agent to the corporeal body, the implant defining a reservoir and a plurality of channels, the reservoir configured for receiving the at least one therapeutic agent, the plurality of channels configured for conveying the at least one therapeutic agent from the reservoir to a treatment site relative to the corporeal body, the implant being at least one of an internal fixation device and a porous device.
The invention in another form is directed to a method of using an orthopaedic implant system, the method including the steps of: providing an orthopaedic implant defining a reservoir and a plurality of channels, the implant being at least one of an internal fixation device and a porous device; implanting the implant at a selected location within the corporeal body; receiving at least one therapeutic agent in the reservoir; conveying the at least one therapeutic agent from the reservoir to a treatment site relative to the corporeal body via the plurality of channels; and delivering the at least one therapeutic agent to the corporeal body.
The invention in another form is directed to a method of using an orthopaedic implant, the method including the steps of: providing an orthopaedic implant body defining at least one pathway; receiving at least one therapeutic agent by the implant body; implanting the orthopaedic implant at a selected location within a corporeal body; conveying the at least one therapeutic agent from the implant body to a treatment site relative to the corporeal body via the at least one pathway using pressure generated by the corporeal body to mechanically force the at least one therapeutic agent from the implant body to the treatment site.
The invention in another form is directed to a method of using an orthopaedic implant, the method including the steps of: providing an orthopaedic implant defining a reservoir and a plurality of channels; implanting the implant at a selected location within a corporeal body, the implant being implanted into soft tissue of the corporeal body; receiving at least one therapeutic agent in the reservoir; conveying the at least one therapeutic agent from the reservoir to a treatment site relative to the corporeal body via said plurality of channels; and delivering the at least one therapeutic agent to the corporeal body.
An advantage of the present invention is that it provides an orthopaedic implant that allows for the delivery of drugs directly to the bone and/or surrounding soft tissue.
Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a temporary or short-term implant that would allow for the delivery of antibiotics directly to the bone and surrounding tissue.
Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it would allow for post-operative injections of antibiotics into the implant, thereby allowing for the delivery of multiple antibiotics throughout treatment.
Yet another advantage of the present invention is that the implant according to the present invention allows for the delivery of the correct dose of antibiotics, continuously for any length of time required.
Yet another advantage of the present invention is that is provides an orthopaedic implant which can deliver a therapeutic agent locally to bone or surrounding soft tissue as long as the implant remains implanted in a corporeal body.
Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a long-term implant which would allow drugs to be delivered directly to the bone and surrounding tissue (or to any specific location).
Yet another advantage of the present invention is that, with regard to enhancing bone ingrowth and combating resorbtion, it provides that bone growth stimulators can be injected intraoperatively or postoperatively to enhance or speed bone ingrowth into porous material (i.e., porous coatings on total joint components; fusion devices, i.e., spinal fusion devices; bone augmentation components, i.e., tibial wedges); these drugs could also be injected months to years post-operatively, using an implant according to the present invention, to combat bone resorbtion due to such causes as stress-shielding, osteolysis, or bone metabolic disorders.
Yet another advantage of the present invention is that, with regard to oncology, the present invention provides an implant that would similarly allow for delivery of drugs to some or all tissue surrounding the implant.
Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it would allow antibiotics to be delivered to the bone surrounding the nail of the present invention as a preventative or to treat an infection if one develops.
Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a non-permanent implant, such as a nail according to the present invention, which can provide the delivery of bone growth stimulators directly to the region of bone fracture(s); such delivery of bone growth stimulators can be advantageous in difficult cases such as non-unions, bony defects, and osteotomies.
Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a non-permanent implant, such as a nail according to the present invention, which can provide localized delivery of oncological drugs in the region of tumors which may improve results in slowing/halting tumor growth; this ability for localized delivery provided by the present invention may also lessen the need/dose of systemic drugs, resulting in fewer side effects.
Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it provides an external fixation device that would allow antibiotics or other anti-infective agents to be provided to the bone and soft tissue surrounding the pins.
The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate embodiments of the invention, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.
Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to
A corporeal body herein means the physical body of a human being or of an animal (i.e., a veterinary patient). Thus, a corporeal body is one of flesh and bones. The corporeal body can be alive or dead. The corporeal body can also be referred to as a patient body herein, which includes both human and veterinary “patients”, alive or dead. “Therapeutic agent” is a general term and includes, but is not limited to, pharmaceuticals and biologics (i.e., biological matter). Therapeutic agents can be variously referred to herein, without limitation, as drugs, pharmaceuticals, medicinal agents, or biologics. Therapeutic agents can be formed, for example, as a liquid, a solid, a capsule, or a bead.
Further,
Further,
The orthopaedic implant of the present invention can be, for example, a prosthesis, a nail, a plate, or an external fixation device formed as an implantable pin.
The implants according to the present invention shown in
A device such as a port could be used to allow for post-operative injections of antibiotics into the implant. (See
Antibiotic cements typically provide useful local antibiotic levels for a duration of less than one week. The treatment time is frequently six to eight weeks. However, beyond one week, the antibiotic cement implants provide no useful amount of antibiotics. The implant according to the present invention, by contrast, allows the delivery of the correct dose of antibiotics continuously for any length of time required. Through a feature such as a port attached to the implant of the present invention, the implant reservoir can be refilled as often as necessary to provide the proper drug dosing.
The implant of the present invention allows for any number of antibiotics to be used at any time during treatment. An initial antibiotic can be used at the time of surgery. If the cell cultures indicate that a different antibiotic or dose would be more effective, that change in treatment regimen can be made in accordance with the present invention.
A short-term femoral hip implant, as discussed above, can include a stem and a separate head or could be a one-piece construction. Multiple sizes of stem and head size could be accommodated. A separate acetabular component could be provided, as discussed above. The femoral head could mate with a short-term acetabular component or with the patient's acetabulum. (See
A short term knee implant can include a one-piece tibial component (combining the two pieces of a standard total knee replacement) and a one- or two-piece femoral component (the two-piece design would combine the condyles and stem). The present invention provides multiple sizes of tibia components and of stem and condyles (either combined as one piece or separate). (See
Since the implants of
The present invention provides an orthopaedic implant system (whether short-term, long-term, or non-permanent implants) which provide for continuously delivering drugs to a point near the implant or to the entire region surrounding the implant for extended periods of time. The implants according to the present invention shown in
Further,
Further,
Thus, the present invention could be applied to long-term implants with any type of porous coating or surface or to cemented implants. Drugs could be delivered through the porous coatings or be routed to regions without porous coatings (as disclosed above), depending on the requirements. (See
Cement restrictors can also be used according to the present invention to prevent cement from sealing over the drug delivery holes. The present invention can be applied to all types of total joint implants, such as total hip components, total knee components, total shoulder components, and total elbow components.
With regard to enhancing bone ingrowth and combating resorbtion, bone growth stimulators can be injected intraoperatively or postoperatively to enhance or speed bone ingrowth into porous material (i.e., porous coatings or pads or surfaces on total joint components, on fusion devices (i.e., spinal fusion devices), or on bone augmentation components (i.e., tibial wedges)). These drugs could also be injected months to years post-operatively, using a long-term implant according to the present invention, to combat bone resorbtion due to such causes as stress-shielding, osteolysis, or bone metabolic disorders.
With regard to oncology, the implant of the present invention would similarly allow for delivery of drugs to some or all tissue surrounding the implant. The implants of the present invention may be cemented. The present invention provides a way to route the drugs around the regions of cement and provides a way for preventing the cement from sealing over the drug delivery holes.
The implants according to the present invention shown in
Nails are temporary, intramedullary devices. They are typically used to treat traumatic fracture. The risk of infection can be high especially in the case of open fractures. The present invention would allow antibiotics to be delivered to the bone surrounding the nail as a preventative or to treat an infection if one develops.
With regard to bone growth, in the case of fractures, there are instances in which the delivery of bone growth stimulators directly to the region of the fracture(s) would be beneficial. This is especially true in difficult cases such as non-unions, bony defects, and osteotomies. The nail according to the present invention would allow for such delivery bone growth stimulators directly to the region of the fracture(s).
With regard to oncology, nails can be used to treat fractures associated with bone tumors. They can also be used to help prevent a fracture where cancer has weakened bone. The nail according to the present invention provides for localized delivery of oncological drugs in the region of tumors which may improve results in slowing/halting tumor growth. This ability for localized delivery provided by the nail according to the present invention may also lessen the need/dose of systemic drugs, resulting in fewer side effects.
Orthopaedic plates treat many of the same indications as nails; however, plates are applied to the outside of the bone. Plates offer the same opportunities for delivering drugs locally. Since nails are intramedullary, they can be used to deliver drugs, according to the present invention, primarily to the bone tissue. Since plates are applied to the outside of the bone, they can be used to deliver drugs, according to the present invention, to both bone and soft tissues. Examples of potential soft tissue treatments benefited by localized drug delivery include the enhancement of soft tissue ingrowth or healing, the prevention of infection by the delivery of antibiotics, and the treatment of nearby soft tissue tumors with localized delivery of oncological drugs.
Thus, the drug delivery portion of plate is similar to that for orthopaedic nails according to the present invention. Plate allows drugs to be delivered directly to the bone and surrounding tissue (or to any specific location). A device such as a port could be used to allow for post-operative injections of drugs into plate. This would allow for the delivery any number of drugs throughout treatment. Reservoirs 1338 and/or channels 1340 in the plate implant 1332 allow the drugs from these injections to be delivered over a time-period from hours to weeks. The drugs could be delivered to all bone and soft tissue surrounding the plate implant 1332 or only to specific locations.
External fixation devices are temporary implants that are used to stabilize a fracture. These external fixation devices can be used for days to months. External fixation devices typically include several pins fixed in the bone and extending through the skin to a rigid plate, ring, rod, or similar stabilizing device. These devices carry the added risk of infection considering that the pins extend through the skin. Bacteria can travel along the pins directly to the soft tissue and bone. The present invention can be applied to external fixation devices. Thus, antibiotics or other anti-infective agents can be provided to the bone and soft tissue surrounding the pins. (
Shortcomings of temporary bone cement implants used to treat infections are discussed above. An additional shortcoming includes the difficulty of delivering adequate quantities of therapeutic agents through such implants to bone due to lack of blood flow.
Thus, system 1530 can have implant body 1544 and a replaceable portion or cartridge 1586. (
The replaceable cartridge may be optionally formed relative to the implant. As a first option, the cartridge may be considered a distinct device relative to the implant but which can be directly attached to the implant, as shown in
Any of the devices according to the present invention described above can include a single or multiple attachment features (such as connections for catheters or ports) and a single or multiple sets of reservoirs and/or channels. The same therapeutic agent can be used in all reservoirs/channels, or several therapeutic agents can be used at one time. Separate reservoirs/channels allow each of the therapeutic agents to be delivered to a specific location on the implant, if desired.
Any of the internal (implanted) devices according to the present invention described above can include an internal reservoir (contained within the implant) in conjunction with delivery channels/paths to allow for short- and/or long-term delivery of the therapeutic agents. If an internal reservoir does not exist, the implant can contain delivery channels/paths to allow for the dispersion of the therapeutic agent.
According to the present invention, therapeutic agents can be introduced into the delivery channels/paths and/or implant reservoir of the implant of the present invention by one or more of the following ways:
a. Direct interface between a delivery vessel (such as a hypodermic syringe).
b. Direct attachment of a drug pump, external reservoir (external to the implant, but can be located internally or externally to the patient), and/or port to the implant; that is, a drug pump, external reservoir, and/or port can be attached directly to the implant. A catheter can be, but is not necessarily, located between the drug pump, external reservoir, and/or port and the implant. The therapeutic agent is then introduced into one of these intermediary devices by, for example, a hypodermic syringe. The therapeutic agent is then transferred to the implant delivery channels/paths and/or implant reservoir.
c. A drug pump, reservoir, and/or port can be implanted in the body in another location remote to the implant and/or can be connected to the implant by, for example, a delivery tube or catheter.
d. A drug pump, reservoir, and/or port can be located external to the body and connected to the implant by, for example, a delivery tube or catheter. The main difference between the example of this subparagraph and the example of subparagraph c of this paragraph is that the catheter runs from one location inside the body to another location inside the body in the example of subparagraph c of this paragraph, while the catheter runs from outside of the body to the implant inside the body in the example of this subparagraph.
e. A catheter runs from outside the body to the implant inside the body but would not include a pump, a reservoir, or a port being attached to the outside end of the catheter (the outside end being the end opposite the end which is attached to the implant).
The orthopaedic implants of the present invention can be applied in conjunction with any currently available designs, including porous coatings, and can also be used in conjunction with cemented implants.
The present invention further provides a method of using an orthopaedic implant system, such as system 30. The method includes the steps of: implanting an orthopaedic implant 32 at a selected location within a corporeal body 34, implant 32 including a reservoir 38 and a plurality of channels 40; receiving at least one therapeutic agent 36 in reservoir 38; conveying at least one therapeutic agent 36 from reservoir 38 to a treatment site 42 relative to corporeal body 34 via channels 40; and delivering at least one therapeutic agent 42 to corporeal body 34. As discussed above, the implant according to the present invention is a prosthesis, a nail, a plate, or an external fixation device with an implanted pin. Implant 32 includes a body 44 which is implanted at the selected location, body 44 defining reservoir 38 and channels 40 and including an exterior surface 46, channels 40 fluidly communicating reservoir 38 with exterior surface 46 and thereby conveying therapeutic agent 36 from reservoir 38 to exterior surface 46. The method can include attaching a porous surface 1154 to exterior surface 1146, porous surface 1154 receiving bone and/or tissue ingrowth 1156 therein, porous surface 1154 including a first side 1164 attached to exterior surface 1146 and a second side 1166 opposing first side 1164, porous surface 1154 including a through-hole 1168 running from first side 1164 to second side 1166, through-hole 1168 communicating at least one therapeutic agent 1136 from first side 1164 to second side 1166 and thereby communicating at least one therapeutic agent 1136 to treatment site 1142. Exterior surface 1146 can define a surface channel 1170, surface channel 1170 being in communication with and cooperating with at least one channel 1140 and at least one through-hole 1168 and thereby providing at least one therapeutic agent 1136 from reservoir 1138 to treatment site 1142. At least one channel 40 can be a sub-surface channel 1172, sub-surface channel 1172 and through-hole 1168 being aligned with and cooperating with one another and thereby providing at least one therapeutic agent 1136 from reservoir 1138 to treatment site 1142. The method can include implanting a second reservoir 1994, a pump 1995, and/or a port 1996 in corporeal body 1934 remote from implant 1932, connecting second reservoir 1994, pump 1995, and/or port 1996 to reservoir 1938 of implant 1932 by at least one catheter 1998 implanted in corporeal body 1934, and delivering at least one therapeutic agent 1936 to treatment site 1942 via implant 1932, catheter 1998, and second reservoir 1994, pump 1995, and/or port 1996. The method can include providing a second reservoir 2094, a pump 2095, and/or a port 2096 which is not implanted in corporeal body 2034, connecting second reservoir 2094, pump 2095, and/or port 2096 to reservoir 2038 of implant 2032 by at least one transcutaneous catheter 2098, and delivering at least one therapeutic agent 2036 to treatment site 2042 via implant 2032, catheter 2098, and second reservoir 2094, pump 2095, and/or port 2096. The method can include inserting a cartridge 1586 into reservoir 1538, cartridge 1586 containing at least one therapeutic agent 1536 and releasing at least one therapeutic agent 1536 into reservoir 1538 and/or at least one channel 1540 such that at least one therapeutic agent 1536 moves away from reservoir 1538 in at least one channel 1540, removing cartridge 1586 from reservoir 1538 after implant 1532 has been implanted in corporeal body 1534, and replacing cartridge 1586 with another cartridge 1586 after implant 1532 has been implanted in corporeal body 1534. The method can include providing a spongy element 1892, reservoir 1838 containing spongy element 1892. Body 1644, 1744 of implant 1632, 1732 can be partially or completely porous. External fixation device 1432 can include implantable pin 1476, a sheath 1478 coupled with pin 1476, and reservoir 1480 coupled with sheath 1478, pin 1476 defining a plurality of channels 1440. Implant may include only one reservoir. The method can include refilling reservoir 38 with at least one therapeutic agent 36 after implant 32 has been implanted in corporeal body 34. The method can include delivering a plurality of therapeutic agents 36 to corporeal body 34 via reservoir 38 and channels 40 of implant 32.
An internal fixation device is a device which attaches something to the skeleton, a bone, of the corporeal body. An internal fixation device includes, but is not limited to, a bone screw, a bone anchor, a bone tack, a bone graft, or a bone plug. A bone screw, for example, can be used to fix soft tissue (i.e., muscles, ligaments) to bone, or to fix bone to bone. An internal fixation device can be implanted within the corporeal body. Such internal fixation devices may include threads for affixation; alternatively, such internal fixation devices may include barbs (rather than threads) to provide the affixation, may have a smooth shaft with blades at the end of the shaft (the barbs providing the affixation), or may form a press fit with, for example, bone. These examples of the device and the usages of the device are provided by way of example and not by way of limitation.
Thus, the present invention further provides porous screws and screws that can deliver therapeutic agents. Further, the present invention provides a porous screw for attaching various soft tissues to bone, and/or for attaching bone to bone, and/or for delivering therapeutic agents (for example biologics or drugs) to soft tissue and/or bone. Potential uses include, but are not limited to, ACL and PCL reconstruction, medial collateral ligament repair, lateral collateral ligament repair, posterior oblique ligament repair, iliotibial band tenodesis reconstruction, patellar ligament and tendon repair, pedicle screws for spine repair, bone fracture fixation screw, and drug eluting implant (non-load bearing) for delivery of therapeutics.
An embodiment of the present invention provides an orthopaedic screw having a plurality of regions, at least one of which may be porous. The orthopaedic screw includes a head, a tip and at least one thread. The porosity of the screw of the present invention can vary within the part or region, including changes in pore shape, size and density. These characteristics can vary along the length of the screw axis and/or radially (from the outer diameter to the axis).
The orthopaedic screw of the present invention may further include at least one solid region formed of any implantable polymer, reinforced polymer or metal. The solid region of material may be, for example, at the outer portion of the threads and the leading tip of the screw due to the high stresses present during insertion. The solid region may further include the head of the orthopaedic screw of the present invention.
The materials to create the orthopaedic screw of the present invention can be any implantable polymer, metal or ceramic, or any combination thereof. Possible polymers include polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyetherketone (PEK), polyaryletherketone (PAEK), polyethylene, and resorbable polymers such as polylactic acid (PLA) and polyglycolic acid (PGA).
The thread of the orthopaedic screw of the present invention may be continuous or discontinuous and be a single or multiple lead thread. The inventive screw may further be cannulated or non-cannulated.
The orthopaedic screw of the present invention may further be used to locally deliver therapeutic agents that promote positive tissue response (e.g. increased growth rate, decreased inflammatory response). Such therapeutic agents include, but are not limited to, hydroxyapatite, drugs and biologics.
Another embodiment of the orthopaedic screw of the present invention provides for immediate delivery of a therapeutic agent through channels and/or holes and reservoirs for long-term delivery of a therapeutic agent. Access to the delivery channels, holes and/or reservoirs may be gained by provision of a self-sealing polymer diaphragm which can allow for direct interface with a needle at the time of surgery of post-surgery. Alternatively, a removable cap made of PEEK or other implantable material may provide access to and seal the medicine delivery features of the inventive screw.
An advantage of the present invention is that the porous nature of the inventive orthopaedic screw and the ability to deliver therapeutic agents to the surrounding tissue promotes successful tissue integration. Such local delivery of therapeutic agents can aid in such issues as improving the attachment strength of soft tissue to bone in reconstructive surgeries, improving the attachment strength of bone to screw, and strengthen bone in osteoarthritic or osteoporotic patients. Another advantage is that the orthopaedic screw of the present invention can effectively be utilized for long term or short term delivery of therapeutic agents. Another advantage is that the therapeutic agent can be pre-loaded into the device at the factory or loaded by the surgeon before, during, or after surgery.
The present invention provides a device which can have a porous nature and which has the ability to deliver therapeutic agents. The porous nature of the device of the present invention and the ability of the device of the present invention to deliver therapeutic agents therethrough promotes successful bone and/or soft tissue integration.
The present invention provides a screw that is porous and/or can deliver therapeutic agents to the surrounding tissue. The materials to create this screw can be any implantable polymer, metal or ceramic or combinations of these. Possible polymers include PEEK (Poly(etheretherketone)), PEK (Poly(etherketone)), PAEK (poly(aryletherketone)), polyethylene, and resorbable polymers such as PLA (Poly(lactic acid)) and PGA (poly(glycolic acid)). Likely first candidates are PEEK, reinforced PEEK (reinforcing materials include but are not limited to carbon fiber/particles/nanotubes, barium sulfate, zirconia) and titanium/titanium alloys. The screw of the present invention can include the ability to deliver therapeutic agents (such as drugs or biologics) to the surrounding tissue. The therapeutic agent can be selected by the surgeon before the surgery, at the time of surgery, or at any point in time thereafter. In addition, the therapeutic agent can be pre-loaded into the device at the factory through currently acceptable practices or loaded by the surgeon before, during, or after surgery (as a follow-up procedure).
The screw of the present invention can be porous but does not need to be porous.
Structural features in
Further,
Thread 3533 can be continuous (see
Screws allowing for localized delivery of therapeutic agents, according to the present invention, can be, but need not be, porous. Porous screws according to the present invention can, but need not, allow for localized delivery of therapeutic agents.
Screw 3532 can contain reservoirs 3538 for the long-term delivery of the therapeutic agents, as illustrated in
A given screw can contain any or all of these options. Upon filling reservoir 3538 of screw 3532 (whether screw 3532 is porous or not) with the therapeutic agent (either initially and/or as a refill, before or after implantation), the therapeutic agent can move from the reservoir 3538 (or from the pores where the filling with the therapeutic agent occurred) to the treatment site via bone screw 3532.
Cannulation. The screws can be cannulated or non-cannulated.
Sections (A) through (E) are discussed immediately below. These sections are as follows: (A) manufacturing options for making the porous screw according to the present invention; (B) how to bond parts containing polymer(s); (C) how to bond metal/metal alloy parts; (D) manufacturing options for making screw threads of a screw according to the present invention; and (E) and manufacturing options for cannulation according to the present invention. Sections (A) through (E) are discussed in reference to forming a screw according to the present invention. It is understood, however, that the discussion can be applied or adapted as necessary to other internal fixation devices and/or porous devices.
A. Porous Structure—Manufacturing Options According to the Present Invention
The porous structure of the present invention can be manufactured using a variety of methods. These manufacturing options according to the present invention include seven options as follows:
B. How to bond parts containing polymer(s)
Options for Bonding Processes
Order of Processes
C. How to Bond Metal/Metal Alloy Parts
Options for Bonding Processes
Order of Processes
As with the polymer materials discussed above, two or more layers of metal can be bonded during increments or as a continuous stacking/bonding process.
D. Making Threads—Manufacturing Options According to the Present Invention
E. Cannulation—Manufacturing Options According to the Present Invention
With any of the manufacturing methods, screws can be created with or without a cannula.
Structural features in
The present invention further provides a method of using an orthopaedic implant system 3030, 3530. The method includes the steps of: providing an orthopaedic implant 3032, 3532 defining a reservoir 3038, 3538 and a plurality of channels 3040, 3540, implant 3032, 3532 being at least one of an internal fixation device 3032 and a porous device 3532; implanting implant 3032, 3532 at a selected location within corporeal body 3034, 3534; receiving at least one therapeutic agent 3036, 3536 in reservoir 3038, 3538; conveying at least one therapeutic agent 3036, 3536 from reservoir 3038, 3538 to a treatment site 3042, 3542 relative to corporeal body 3034, 3534 via channels 3040, 3540; and delivering at least one therapeutic agent 3036, 3536 to corporeal body 3034, 3534.
Internal fixation device 3032 includes an exterior surface 3046, the plurality of channels 3040 fluidly communicating reservoir 3038 with exterior surface 3046 and thereby conveying at least one therapeutic agent 3036 from reservoir 3038 to exterior surface 3046. Internal fixation device 3032 is a bone screw 3032 including an exterior surface 3046, a head 3031, and a threaded section 3033, head 3031 including at least one channel 3040, threaded section 3033 including at least one channel 3040, channels 3040 fluidly communicating reservoir 3038 with exterior surface 3046 and thereby conveying at least one therapeutic agent 3036 from reservoir 3038 to exterior surface 3046.
The method can further include implanting a second reservoir 3243 at the selected location within corporeal body 3234, delivering at least one therapeutic agent 3236 to corporeal body 3234 via a plurality of holes 3245 in second reservoir 3243, internal fixation device 3232 including an exterior surface 3246, second reservoir 3243 at least partially surrounding and being attached to internal fixation device 3232, internal fixation device 3232 including an ingress channel 3247 conveying at least one therapeutic agent 3236 from second reservoir 3243 to reservoir 3238 of internal fixation device 3232, plurality of channels 3240 fluidly communicating reservoir 3238 of internal fixation device 3232 with exterior surface 3246 and thereby conveying at least one therapeutic agent 3236 from reservoir 3238 of internal fixation device 3232 to exterior surface 3246. Internal fixation device 3232 can be a bone screw 3232 including a head 3231, a threaded section 3233, and an exterior surface 3246, second reservoir 3243 surrounding and being attached to head 3231, head 3231 including ingress channel 3247 conveying at least one therapeutic agent 3236 from second reservoir 3243 to reservoir 3238 of bone screw 3232, threaded section 3233 including channels 3240, channels 3240 fluidly communicating reservoir 3238 of bone screw 3232 with exterior surface 3246 and thereby conveying at least one therapeutic agent 3236 from reservoir 3238 of bone screw 3232 to exterior surface 3246. Second reservoir 3243 can be elastic and thereby expel at least one therapeutic agent 3236 through holes 3245 and/or into ingress channel 3247. Second reservoir 3243 can be rigid and form a permeable membrane which controllably releases at least one therapeutic agent 3236 therefrom.
The method can further include implanting a second reservoir 3462 within corporeal body 3434 remote from internal fixation device 3432, implanting a tubular element 3498 within corporeal body 3434, second reservoir 3462 coupled with internal fixation device 3232 via tubular element 3498 and thereby delivering at least one therapeutic agent 3436 to an exterior surface 3446 of internal fixation device 3434 via tubular element 3498, reservoir of device 3432, and channels of device 3432. Internal fixation device 3432 is a bone screw 3432.
Porous device 3532 is partially porous (
The implant according to the present invention may include only one internal reservoir. The method can further include refilling reservoir 3038 with at least one therapeutic agent 3036 after implant 3032 has been implanted in corporeal body 3034. The method can further include delivering a plurality of therapeutic agents 3036 to corporeal body 3034 via reservoir 3038 and channels 3040. Reservoir 3038 receives at least one therapeutic agent 3036 after implant 3032 has been implanted in corporeal body 3034 and then communicates at least one therapeutic agent 3036 via channels 3040 to treatment site 3042.
The present invention further provides a method of using an orthopaedic implant, the method including the steps of: providing an orthopaedic implant body 5044 defining at least one pathway 5040 (shown by arrow 5040); receiving at least one therapeutic agent 5036 by implant body 5044; implanting the orthopaedic implant 5032 at a selected location within a corporeal body 5034; conveying at least one therapeutic agent 5036 from implant body 5044 to a treatment site 5042 relative to corporeal body 5034 via at least one pathway 5044 using pressure generated by corporeal body 5034 to mechanically force at least one therapeutic agent 5036 from implant body 5044 to treatment site 5042. Structural features in
The present invention further provides a method of using an orthopaedic implant 5232, the method including the steps of: providing an orthopaedic implant 5232 defining a reservoir 5238 and a plurality of channels 5240; implanting implant 5232 at a selected location within a corporeal body 5234, the implant 5232 being implanted into soft tissue 5263 of corporeal body 5234; receiving at least one therapeutic agent 5236 in reservoir 5238; conveying at least one therapeutic agent 5236 from reservoir 5238 to a treatment site 5242 relative to corporeal body 5234 via plurality of channels 5240; and delivering at least one therapeutic agent 5236 to corporeal body 5234. Such an implant 5232 can be a reservoir, a bladder, a balloon, a sponge, a cloth, or any other orthopaedic implant configured for being implanted into soft tissue 5263. Soft tissue 5263 refers to bodily tissue other than bone. Implant 5232 is implanted into soft tissue 5263 such as a muscle, a ligament, a tendon, a joint capsule, a fibrous tissue, fat, a membrane, and/or cartilage of said corporeal body. Orthpaedic implant 5232 according to the present invention and soft tissue 5263 are shown schematically in
The present invention thus provides a drug delivery implant configured for delivering therapeutic agents for the treatment of osteoarthritis or other diseases. The implant can deliver one or more therapeutic agents to the targeted joint capsule. Such an implant can be applied to any joint. Such joints include, but are not necessarily limited to, hip, knee, ankle, wrist, facets, and joints within the hand and foot.
The implants according to the present invention are placed in or near the targeted joint space to allow for the delivery of therapeutic agents to the joint space. Generally, the implant is designed to hold fast to the bone and/or soft tissue near the target joint, provide a reservoir to hold therapeutic agents that will be delivered to the region over a period of days, weeks, or months, and deliver those agents at a desired rate. In addition, these devices can allow the implant to be filled at the time of surgery and/or at any time after surgery and allow the surgeon to select one or more therapeutic agents to be delivered at any of these times.
The general shape of the implant according to the present invention can be that of a screw (see
The implants according to the present invention can be placed directly in the joint space, in the bone surrounding the joint (see
The goal is to deliver therapeutic agents to the joint space. This can be accomplished by delivering the agents directly to the joint space, to the bone and/or soft tissue surrounding the joint, or to a combination of these. (See
Transport of the therapeutic agents to the tissue can be achieved by, for example, osmosis, diffusion, or pressure. An example of a device which uses osmosis is a rigid reservoir with a permeable membrane to allow for the controlled release of the therapeutic agent. An example of a device which uses diffusion is a rigid reservoir with delivery channels (see
Each of the implants according to the present invention (including those described above) is configured for delivering a plurality of therapeutic agents to the corporeal body via the respective reservoir and channels. Further, with respect to each of the implants (including those described above) according to the present invention, the respective reservoir(s) is configured for receiving at least one therapeutic agent after the implant has been implanted in the corporeal body and then communicating at least one therapeutic agent via the respective plurality of channels to the treatment site. Further, with respect to each of the implants according to the present invention (including those described above), the respective reservoir(s) is configured for being refilled with at least one therapeutic agent after the implant has been implanted in the corporeal body (see, for example,
While this invention has been described with respect to at least one embodiment, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.
This is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/549,748, entitled “DRUG DELIVERY IMPLANTS,” filed Aug. 28, 2009, which is incorporated herein by reference. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/549,748 is a non-provisional application based upon U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/092,880, entitled “DRUG DELIVERY IMPLANT”, filed Aug. 29, 2008, and is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/540,676, entitled “DRUG DELIVERY IMPLANTS”, filed Aug. 13, 2009, which are both incorporated herein by reference. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/540,676 is a non-provisional application based upon U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/088,379, entitled “DRUG DELIVERY IMPLANTS”, filed Aug. 13, 2008, which is incorporated herein by reference. Further, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/549,748 is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/540,760, entitled “ORTHOPAEDIC SCREWS”, filed Aug. 13, 2009, which is incorporated herein by reference. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/540,760 is a non-provisional application based upon U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/088,383, entitled “ORTHOPAEDIC SCREWS”, filed Aug. 13, 2008, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
3662405 | Bortz et al. | May 1972 | A |
3683421 | Martinie | Aug 1972 | A |
3855638 | Pilliar | Dec 1974 | A |
3867728 | Stubstad et al. | Feb 1975 | A |
4011602 | Rybicki et al. | Mar 1977 | A |
4060081 | Yannas et al. | Nov 1977 | A |
4156943 | Collier | Jun 1979 | A |
4222128 | Tomonaga et al. | Sep 1980 | A |
4450150 | Sidman | May 1984 | A |
4453537 | Spitzer | Jun 1984 | A |
4485097 | Bell | Nov 1984 | A |
4520821 | Schmidt et al. | Jun 1985 | A |
4608052 | Van Kampen et al. | Aug 1986 | A |
4609551 | Caplan et al. | Sep 1986 | A |
4620327 | Caplan et al. | Nov 1986 | A |
4644627 | Palazzo | Feb 1987 | A |
4660755 | Farling et al. | Apr 1987 | A |
4737411 | Graves, Jr. et al. | Apr 1988 | A |
4769041 | Morscher | Sep 1988 | A |
4846834 | Von Recum et al. | Jul 1989 | A |
4858603 | Clemow et al. | Aug 1989 | A |
4936859 | Morscher et al. | Jun 1990 | A |
4976738 | Frey et al. | Dec 1990 | A |
5030233 | Ducheyne | Jul 1991 | A |
5041107 | Heil, Jr. | Aug 1991 | A |
5084051 | Tormala et al. | Jan 1992 | A |
5092898 | Bekki et al. | Mar 1992 | A |
5100392 | Orth et al. | Mar 1992 | A |
5104410 | Chowdhary | Apr 1992 | A |
5190550 | Miller et al. | Mar 1993 | A |
5197985 | Caplan et al. | Mar 1993 | A |
5204055 | Sachs et al. | Apr 1993 | A |
5219363 | Crowninshield et al. | Jun 1993 | A |
5226914 | Caplan et al. | Jul 1993 | A |
5281210 | Burke et al. | Jan 1994 | A |
5282861 | Kaplan | Feb 1994 | A |
5306309 | Wagner et al. | Apr 1994 | A |
5328765 | Anderson et al. | Jul 1994 | A |
5370690 | Barrett | Dec 1994 | A |
5380328 | Morgan | Jan 1995 | A |
5443471 | Swajger | Aug 1995 | A |
5458643 | Oka et al. | Oct 1995 | A |
5462362 | Yuhta et al. | Oct 1995 | A |
5490962 | Cima et al. | Feb 1996 | A |
5496372 | Hamamoto et al. | Mar 1996 | A |
5514182 | Shea | May 1996 | A |
5518680 | Cima et al. | May 1996 | A |
5531750 | Even-Esh | Jul 1996 | A |
5534028 | Bao et al. | Jul 1996 | A |
5537851 | Sheu et al. | Jul 1996 | A |
5549700 | Graham et al. | Aug 1996 | A |
5571187 | Devanathan | Nov 1996 | A |
5593443 | Carter et al. | Jan 1997 | A |
5637175 | Feygin et al. | Jun 1997 | A |
5641323 | Caldarise | Jun 1997 | A |
5702449 | McKay | Dec 1997 | A |
5730817 | Feygin et al. | Mar 1998 | A |
5732469 | Hamamoto et al. | Mar 1998 | A |
5750103 | Cherksey | May 1998 | A |
5769897 | Haerle | Jun 1998 | A |
5776199 | Michelson | Jul 1998 | A |
5800828 | Dionne et al. | Sep 1998 | A |
5807406 | Brauker et al. | Sep 1998 | A |
5848989 | Villani | Dec 1998 | A |
5849015 | Haywood et al. | Dec 1998 | A |
5869170 | Cima et al. | Feb 1999 | A |
5871484 | Spievack et al. | Feb 1999 | A |
5876550 | Feygin et al. | Mar 1999 | A |
5879406 | Lilley | May 1999 | A |
5916269 | Serbousek et al. | Jun 1999 | A |
5971985 | Carchidi et al. | Oct 1999 | A |
5989250 | Wagner et al. | Nov 1999 | A |
6010336 | Shimotoso et al. | Jan 2000 | A |
6045581 | Burkinshaw | Apr 2000 | A |
6053916 | Moore | Apr 2000 | A |
6110179 | Flivik et al. | Aug 2000 | A |
6136029 | Johnson et al. | Oct 2000 | A |
6136031 | Middleton | Oct 2000 | A |
6139574 | Vacanti et al. | Oct 2000 | A |
6143035 | McDowell | Nov 2000 | A |
6159247 | Klawitter et al. | Dec 2000 | A |
6176874 | Vacanti et al. | Jan 2001 | B1 |
6238435 | Meulink et al. | May 2001 | B1 |
6283997 | Garg et al. | Sep 2001 | B1 |
6290726 | Pope et al. | Sep 2001 | B1 |
6306424 | Vyakarnam et al. | Oct 2001 | B1 |
6315797 | Middleton | Nov 2001 | B1 |
6322564 | Surma | Nov 2001 | B1 |
6328765 | Hardwick et al. | Dec 2001 | B1 |
6333029 | Vyakarnam et al. | Dec 2001 | B1 |
6337198 | Levene et al. | Jan 2002 | B1 |
6365149 | Vyakarnam et al. | Apr 2002 | B2 |
6379391 | Masini | Apr 2002 | B1 |
6395011 | Johanson et al. | May 2002 | B1 |
6409764 | White et al. | Jun 2002 | B1 |
6419704 | Ferree | Jul 2002 | B1 |
6423095 | Van Hoeck et al. | Jul 2002 | B1 |
6423252 | Chun et al. | Jul 2002 | B1 |
6425921 | Grundei et al. | Jul 2002 | B1 |
6440734 | Pykett et al. | Aug 2002 | B1 |
6454811 | Sherwood et al. | Sep 2002 | B1 |
6461385 | Gayer et al. | Oct 2002 | B1 |
6471689 | Joseph et al. | Oct 2002 | B1 |
6471993 | Shastri et al. | Oct 2002 | B1 |
6475137 | Elist | Nov 2002 | B1 |
6494916 | Babalola et al. | Dec 2002 | B1 |
6514514 | Atkinson et al. | Feb 2003 | B1 |
6520993 | James et al. | Feb 2003 | B2 |
6526984 | Nilsson et al. | Mar 2003 | B1 |
6527810 | Johnson et al. | Mar 2003 | B2 |
6530958 | Cima et al. | Mar 2003 | B1 |
6533818 | Weber et al. | Mar 2003 | B1 |
6534084 | Vyakarnam et al. | Mar 2003 | B1 |
6544472 | Compton et al. | Apr 2003 | B1 |
6547824 | Price | Apr 2003 | B1 |
6551290 | Elsbery et al. | Apr 2003 | B1 |
6554857 | Zilla et al. | Apr 2003 | B1 |
6565572 | Chappius | May 2003 | B2 |
6571130 | Ljungstroem et al. | May 2003 | B1 |
6599322 | Amrich et al. | Jul 2003 | B1 |
6610095 | Pope et al. | Aug 2003 | B1 |
6626950 | Brown et al. | Sep 2003 | B2 |
6635049 | Robinson et al. | Oct 2003 | B1 |
6645251 | Salehi et al. | Nov 2003 | B2 |
6656489 | Mahmood et al. | Dec 2003 | B1 |
6660040 | Chan et al. | Dec 2003 | B2 |
6673108 | Zilla et al. | Jan 2004 | B2 |
6682567 | Schroeder | Jan 2004 | B1 |
6692528 | Ward et al. | Feb 2004 | B2 |
6709463 | Pope et al. | Mar 2004 | B1 |
6709464 | Scott et al. | Mar 2004 | B2 |
6712850 | Vyakamam et al. | Mar 2004 | B2 |
6723120 | Yan | Apr 2004 | B2 |
6736850 | Davis | May 2004 | B2 |
6749636 | Michelson | Jun 2004 | B2 |
6758863 | Estes et al. | Jul 2004 | B2 |
6783546 | Zucherman et al. | Aug 2004 | B2 |
6818620 | Bhatnagar | Nov 2004 | B2 |
6852272 | Artz et al. | Feb 2005 | B2 |
6863899 | Koblish et al. | Mar 2005 | B2 |
6866685 | Chan et al. | Mar 2005 | B2 |
6881413 | Bartholeyns | Apr 2005 | B1 |
6893465 | Huang | May 2005 | B2 |
6913623 | Zhu | Jul 2005 | B1 |
6916321 | TenHuisen et al. | Jul 2005 | B2 |
6958078 | Goel et al. | Oct 2005 | B2 |
6969383 | Hildebrand | Nov 2005 | B2 |
6979353 | Bresina | Dec 2005 | B2 |
6989033 | Schmidt | Jan 2006 | B1 |
6993406 | Cesarano, III et al. | Jan 2006 | B1 |
7018416 | Hanson et al. | Mar 2006 | B2 |
7018418 | Amrich et al. | Mar 2006 | B2 |
7052710 | Giordano et al. | May 2006 | B2 |
7077867 | Pope et al. | Jul 2006 | B1 |
7087086 | Li et al. | Aug 2006 | B2 |
7087200 | Taboas et al. | Aug 2006 | B2 |
7090668 | U et al. | Aug 2006 | B1 |
7094371 | Lo | Aug 2006 | B2 |
7108828 | Lefebvre et al. | Sep 2006 | B2 |
7112223 | Davis | Sep 2006 | B2 |
7128762 | Middleton | Oct 2006 | B2 |
7174282 | Hollister et al. | Feb 2007 | B2 |
7189409 | Pirhonen et al. | Mar 2007 | B2 |
7192440 | Andreas et al. | Mar 2007 | B2 |
7208222 | Rolfe et al. | Apr 2007 | B2 |
7226612 | Sohier et al. | Jun 2007 | B2 |
7238186 | Zdeblick et al. | Jul 2007 | B2 |
7238363 | Mansouri et al. | Jul 2007 | B2 |
7250055 | Vanderwalle | Jul 2007 | B1 |
7250060 | Trieu | Jul 2007 | B2 |
7255713 | Malek | Aug 2007 | B2 |
7300439 | May | Nov 2007 | B2 |
7354452 | Foley | Apr 2008 | B2 |
7537617 | Bindsell et al. | May 2009 | B2 |
7537664 | O'Neill et al. | May 2009 | B2 |
7575572 | Sweeney | Aug 2009 | B2 |
7632228 | Brauker et al. | Dec 2009 | B2 |
7632338 | Cipollini | Dec 2009 | B2 |
7666230 | Orban et al. | Feb 2010 | B2 |
7674426 | Grohowski, Jr. | Mar 2010 | B2 |
7674477 | Schmid et al. | Mar 2010 | B1 |
7717956 | Lang | May 2010 | B2 |
7875080 | Puno et al. | Jan 2011 | B2 |
20010038848 | Donda et al. | Nov 2001 | A1 |
20010039455 | Simon et al. | Nov 2001 | A1 |
20020022884 | Mansmann | Feb 2002 | A1 |
20020029083 | Zucherman et al. | Mar 2002 | A1 |
20020035400 | Bryan et al. | Mar 2002 | A1 |
20020062154 | Ayers | May 2002 | A1 |
20020072798 | Riesle et al. | Jun 2002 | A1 |
20020091447 | Shimp et al. | Jul 2002 | A1 |
20020106393 | Bianchi et al. | Aug 2002 | A1 |
20020128715 | Bryan et al. | Sep 2002 | A1 |
20020143402 | Steinberg | Oct 2002 | A1 |
20020161447 | Salehi et al. | Oct 2002 | A1 |
20020182241 | Borenstein et al. | Dec 2002 | A1 |
20020183850 | Felt et al. | Dec 2002 | A1 |
20020197178 | Yan | Dec 2002 | A1 |
20030003127 | Brown et al. | Jan 2003 | A1 |
20030004578 | Brown et al. | Jan 2003 | A1 |
20030006534 | Taboas et al. | Jan 2003 | A1 |
20030012805 | Chen et al. | Jan 2003 | A1 |
20030023311 | Trieu | Jan 2003 | A1 |
20030039676 | Boyce et al. | Feb 2003 | A1 |
20030045885 | Margulies et al. | Mar 2003 | A1 |
20030055506 | Stoy et al. | Mar 2003 | A1 |
20030060886 | Van Hoeck et al. | Mar 2003 | A1 |
20030060891 | Shah | Mar 2003 | A1 |
20030069465 | Benkowski et al. | Apr 2003 | A1 |
20030097182 | Buchman et al. | May 2003 | A1 |
20030105527 | Bresina | Jun 2003 | A1 |
20030114934 | Steinberg | Jun 2003 | A1 |
20030114936 | Sherwood et al. | Jun 2003 | A1 |
20030118649 | Gao et al. | Jun 2003 | A1 |
20030120344 | Michelson | Jun 2003 | A1 |
20030130743 | Scott et al. | Jul 2003 | A1 |
20030139809 | Worst et al. | Jul 2003 | A1 |
20030171738 | Konieczynski et al. | Sep 2003 | A1 |
20030171820 | Wilshaw et al. | Sep 2003 | A1 |
20030180171 | Artz et al. | Sep 2003 | A1 |
20030187513 | Durniak | Oct 2003 | A1 |
20030203002 | Murphy et al. | Oct 2003 | A1 |
20030206928 | Tormala et al. | Nov 2003 | A1 |
20030208274 | Davis | Nov 2003 | A1 |
20040024470 | Giordano et al. | Feb 2004 | A1 |
20040034357 | Beane et al. | Feb 2004 | A1 |
20040034427 | Goel et al. | Feb 2004 | A1 |
20040063206 | Rowley et al. | Apr 2004 | A1 |
20040073197 | Kim | Apr 2004 | A1 |
20040115172 | Bianchi et al. | Jun 2004 | A1 |
20040126405 | Sahatjian et al. | Jul 2004 | A1 |
20040147905 | Krumme | Jul 2004 | A1 |
20040153165 | Li et al. | Aug 2004 | A1 |
20040180072 | Tunc et al. | Sep 2004 | A1 |
20040191106 | O'Neill et al. | Sep 2004 | A1 |
20040191292 | Chou | Sep 2004 | A1 |
20040193273 | Huang | Sep 2004 | A1 |
20040199260 | Pope et al. | Oct 2004 | A1 |
20040210274 | Bauhahn et al. | Oct 2004 | A1 |
20040210316 | King et al. | Oct 2004 | A1 |
20040215173 | Kunst | Oct 2004 | A1 |
20040225360 | Malone | Nov 2004 | A1 |
20040249463 | Bindseil et al. | Dec 2004 | A1 |
20040265350 | Sambrook et al. | Dec 2004 | A1 |
20040267263 | May | Dec 2004 | A1 |
20050015059 | Sweeney | Jan 2005 | A1 |
20050015150 | Lee | Jan 2005 | A1 |
20050021084 | Lu et al. | Jan 2005 | A1 |
20050049715 | Ito et al. | Mar 2005 | A1 |
20050049716 | Wagener et al. | Mar 2005 | A1 |
20050055099 | Ku | Mar 2005 | A1 |
20050058684 | Shanley et al. | Mar 2005 | A1 |
20050059972 | Biscup | Mar 2005 | A1 |
20050085888 | Andreas et al. | Apr 2005 | A1 |
20050100470 | Lefebvre et al. | May 2005 | A1 |
20050100578 | Schmid et al. | May 2005 | A1 |
20050112397 | Rolfe et al. | May 2005 | A1 |
20050119753 | McGahan et al. | Jun 2005 | A1 |
20050125073 | Orban et al. | Jun 2005 | A1 |
20050137707 | Malek | Jun 2005 | A1 |
20050143822 | Paul | Jun 2005 | A1 |
20050159819 | McCormack et al. | Jul 2005 | A1 |
20050171611 | Stoy et al. | Aug 2005 | A1 |
20050175703 | Hunter et al. | Aug 2005 | A1 |
20050177238 | Khandkar et al. | Aug 2005 | A1 |
20050177247 | Canham et al. | Aug 2005 | A1 |
20050182494 | Schmid | Aug 2005 | A1 |
20050187555 | Biedermann et al. | Aug 2005 | A1 |
20050192669 | Zdeblick et al. | Sep 2005 | A1 |
20050197654 | Edman et al. | Sep 2005 | A1 |
20050202371 | McGuire | Sep 2005 | A1 |
20050220837 | Disegi et al. | Oct 2005 | A1 |
20050222688 | Dia et al. | Oct 2005 | A1 |
20050228503 | Gundolf | Oct 2005 | A1 |
20050246032 | Bokros et al. | Nov 2005 | A1 |
20050271694 | Mansouri et al. | Dec 2005 | A1 |
20050272153 | Xuenong et al. | Dec 2005 | A1 |
20050273082 | Olsen | Dec 2005 | A1 |
20050273178 | Boyan et al. | Dec 2005 | A1 |
20060002810 | Grohowski, Jr. | Jan 2006 | A1 |
20060004364 | Green | Jan 2006 | A1 |
20060015186 | Isaac | Jan 2006 | A1 |
20060129242 | Bergeron et al. | Jan 2006 | A1 |
20060036253 | Leroux et al. | Feb 2006 | A1 |
20060047341 | Trieu | Mar 2006 | A1 |
20060047431 | Trieu | Mar 2006 | A1 |
20060057737 | Santini, Jr. et al. | Mar 2006 | A1 |
20060064170 | Smith et al. | Mar 2006 | A1 |
20060064172 | Trieu | Mar 2006 | A1 |
20060083730 | Kusanagi et al. | Apr 2006 | A1 |
20060093646 | Cima et al. | May 2006 | A1 |
20060100706 | Shadduck et al. | May 2006 | A1 |
20060100716 | Lerf | May 2006 | A1 |
20060105015 | Perla et al. | May 2006 | A1 |
20060111782 | Petersen | May 2006 | A1 |
20060111785 | O'Neil | May 2006 | A1 |
20060121609 | Yannas et al. | Jun 2006 | A1 |
20060141012 | Gingras | Jun 2006 | A1 |
20060149220 | Ullestad et al. | Jul 2006 | A1 |
20060149386 | Clark et al. | Jul 2006 | A1 |
20060173542 | Shikinami | Aug 2006 | A1 |
20060178744 | de Villiers et al. | Aug 2006 | A1 |
20060193885 | Leonard Neethling et al. | Aug 2006 | A1 |
20060195188 | O'Driscoll et al. | Aug 2006 | A1 |
20060204581 | Gower et al. | Sep 2006 | A1 |
20060229715 | Istephanous et al. | Oct 2006 | A1 |
20060235534 | Gertzman et al. | Oct 2006 | A1 |
20060241593 | Sherman et al. | Oct 2006 | A1 |
20060264950 | Nelson et al. | Nov 2006 | A1 |
20060271022 | Steinbach et al. | Nov 2006 | A1 |
20060271201 | Kumar et al. | Nov 2006 | A1 |
20060276900 | Carpenter | Dec 2006 | A1 |
20060282166 | Molz et al. | Dec 2006 | A1 |
20060287689 | Debruyne et al. | Dec 2006 | A1 |
20060289388 | Yang et al. | Dec 2006 | A1 |
20060293757 | McKay et al. | Dec 2006 | A1 |
20070016163 | Santini, Jr. et al. | Jan 2007 | A1 |
20070026069 | Shastri et al. | Feb 2007 | A1 |
20070038299 | Stone et al. | Feb 2007 | A1 |
20070041952 | Guilak et al. | Feb 2007 | A1 |
20070043446 | Murray | Feb 2007 | A1 |
20070077267 | Molz, IV et al. | Apr 2007 | A1 |
20070105222 | Wolfinbarger et al. | May 2007 | A1 |
20070116734 | Akash | May 2007 | A1 |
20070123843 | Gill | May 2007 | A1 |
20070138042 | Wood | Jun 2007 | A1 |
20070141105 | Stein et al. | Jun 2007 | A1 |
20070141533 | Ford et al. | Jun 2007 | A1 |
20070150063 | Ruberte et al. | Jun 2007 | A1 |
20070150064 | Ruberte et al. | Jun 2007 | A1 |
20070150068 | Dong et al. | Jun 2007 | A1 |
20070160681 | Park et al. | Jul 2007 | A1 |
20070161986 | Levy | Jul 2007 | A1 |
20070162110 | Dave | Jul 2007 | A1 |
20070166348 | Van Dyke | Jul 2007 | A1 |
20070168021 | Holmes, Jr. et al. | Jul 2007 | A1 |
20070185580 | Posel | Aug 2007 | A1 |
20070185585 | Bracy et al. | Aug 2007 | A1 |
20070190880 | Dubrow et al. | Aug 2007 | A1 |
20070191963 | Winterbottom et al. | Aug 2007 | A1 |
20070196419 | Teller et al. | Aug 2007 | A1 |
20070202145 | Ghabrial et al. | Aug 2007 | A1 |
20070203584 | Bandyopadhyay et al. | Aug 2007 | A1 |
20070208420 | Ameer et al. | Sep 2007 | A1 |
20070233071 | Dewey et al. | Oct 2007 | A1 |
20070243225 | McKay | Oct 2007 | A1 |
20070250169 | Lang | Oct 2007 | A1 |
20070255262 | Haase | Nov 2007 | A1 |
20070255416 | Melkent et al. | Nov 2007 | A1 |
20070260250 | Wisnewski et al. | Nov 2007 | A1 |
20070260320 | Peterman et al. | Nov 2007 | A1 |
20070270859 | Companioni et al. | Nov 2007 | A1 |
20070293948 | Bagga et al. | Dec 2007 | A1 |
20080004704 | Katz | Jan 2008 | A1 |
20080015578 | Erickson et al. | Jan 2008 | A1 |
20080039846 | Lee et al. | Feb 2008 | A1 |
20080046082 | Lee | Feb 2008 | A1 |
20080065218 | O'Neil | Mar 2008 | A1 |
20080077247 | Murillo et al. | Mar 2008 | A1 |
20080109083 | Van Hoeck et al. | May 2008 | A1 |
20080119945 | Frigg | May 2008 | A1 |
20080147193 | Matthis et al. | Jun 2008 | A1 |
20080188940 | Cohen et al. | Aug 2008 | A1 |
20080200985 | Robie | Aug 2008 | A1 |
20080262622 | Butler | Oct 2008 | A1 |
20080288074 | O'Neil et al. | Nov 2008 | A1 |
20080306609 | Lee et al. | Dec 2008 | A1 |
20090005872 | Moumene et al. | Jan 2009 | A1 |
20090005874 | Fleischmann et al. | Jan 2009 | A1 |
20090024224 | Chen et al. | Jan 2009 | A1 |
20090030399 | Raiszadeh | Jan 2009 | A1 |
20090132051 | Moskowitz et al. | May 2009 | A1 |
20090222098 | Trieu et al. | Sep 2009 | A1 |
20090228109 | Pointillant et al. | Sep 2009 | A1 |
20090248162 | Peckham | Oct 2009 | A1 |
20090254182 | Kovarik et al. | Oct 2009 | A1 |
20090270986 | Christensen | Oct 2009 | A1 |
20090270988 | Snell et al. | Oct 2009 | A1 |
20090270991 | Michelson | Oct 2009 | A1 |
20090270992 | Gerber et al. | Oct 2009 | A1 |
20090276049 | Weiland | Nov 2009 | A1 |
20090281517 | Lambrecht et al. | Nov 2009 | A1 |
20090281625 | Enayati | Nov 2009 | A1 |
20090292363 | Goldfarb et al. | Nov 2009 | A1 |
20090326657 | Grinberg et al. | Dec 2009 | A1 |
20100003639 | Salvi et al. | Jan 2010 | A1 |
20100016970 | Kapitan et al. | Jan 2010 | A1 |
20100042167 | Nebosky et al. | Feb 2010 | A1 |
20100042213 | Nebosky et al. | Feb 2010 | A1 |
20100042214 | Nebosky et al. | Feb 2010 | A1 |
20100042215 | Stalcup et al. | Feb 2010 | A1 |
20100042218 | Nebosky et al. | Feb 2010 | A1 |
20100042226 | Nebosky et al. | Feb 2010 | A1 |
20100076559 | Bagga et al. | Mar 2010 | A1 |
20100190254 | Chian et al. | Jul 2010 | A1 |
20100234966 | Lo | Sep 2010 | A1 |
20100291286 | O'Neill et al. | Nov 2010 | A1 |
20110064784 | Mullens et al. | Mar 2011 | A1 |
20110153028 | Albertorio | Jun 2011 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
4211345 | Nov 1993 | DE |
4423020 | Jan 1996 | DE |
693 28 047 | Mar 2000 | DE |
19904436 | Aug 2000 | DE |
10051438 | May 2002 | DE |
695 28 346 | Sep 2002 | DE |
10120330 | Nov 2002 | DE |
10157315 | Aug 2003 | DE |
0617931 | Oct 1994 | EP |
0827726 | Mar 1998 | EP |
1 273 312 | Jan 2003 | EP |
1 287 851 | Mar 2003 | EP |
1475057 | Nov 2004 | EP |
1806112 | Jul 2007 | EP |
2697155 | Apr 1994 | FR |
6007388 | Jan 1994 | JP |
7116184 | May 1995 | JP |
8173463 | Jul 1996 | JP |
2587625 | Dec 1996 | JP |
2002325781 | Nov 2002 | JP |
2005329179 | Dec 2005 | JP |
03026714 | Apr 2003 | WO |
03084602 | Oct 2003 | WO |
03101504 | Dec 2003 | WO |
2005047467 | May 2005 | WO |
2006088480 | Aug 2006 | WO |
2006096720 | Sep 2006 | WO |
2006135727 | Dec 2006 | WO |
2007084878 | Jul 2007 | WO |
2007135444 | Nov 2007 | WO |
Entry |
---|
Office Action dated Jan. 5, 2010 in U.S. Appl. No. 11/060,377 (10 pages). |
Office Action dated Sep. 24, 2010 in U.S. Appl. No. 11/060,377 (7 pages). |
A. Cameron, entitled “Basic Lubrication Theory”, Ellis Horwood Limited, pp. 134-137, 1976. |
A. Cameron, entitled “The Principles of Lubrication”, John Wiley and Sons Inc., pp. 542-559, 1966. |
Office Action dated May 12, 2010 in U.S. Appl. No. 10/980,425 (22 pages). |
Philip E. Mitchell, Handbook Editor, “Tool and Manufacturing Engineers Handbook”, 4th Edition, vol. VIII Plastic Part Manufacturing, Society of Manufacturing Engineers, Dearborn, Michigan, pp. 2-17 and 2-18, 1996 (4 pages). |
U.S. Appl. No. 60/149,027, filed Aug. 16, 1999 with U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (44 pages). |
U.S. Appl. No. 08/200,636, filed Feb. 23, 1994 with U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (40 pages). |
Office Action dated Apr. 17, 1995 in U.S. Appl. No. 08/200,636 (4 pages). |
Supplemental Information Disclosure Statement dated Sep. 11, 1995 in U.S. Appl. No. 08/200,636 (7 pages). |
U.S. Appl. No. 08/437,781, filed May 9, 1995 with U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (84 pages). |
Office Action dated Nov. 1, 1996 in U.S. Appl. No. 08/437,781 (2 pages). |
U.S. Appl. No. 09/639,612, filed Aug. 15, 2000 with U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (67 pages). |
Communication dated Apr. 11, 2013 from Canadian Intellectual Property Office for Canadian patent application No. 2,735,236 (3 pages). |
Communication dated May 22, 2013 from European Patent Office for European Patent Application No. 09807307.5-1506 (1 page). |
Communication dated May 2, 2013 from European Patent Office for European Patent Application No. 09807307.5-1506, including Supplementary European Search Report and opinion (7 pages). |
International Preliminary Report on Patentability dated Feb. 15, 2011 for PCT/US2009/053724 (9 pages). |
International Preliminary Report on Patentability dated Feb. 15, 2011 for PCT/US2009/053735 (8 pages). |
International Preliminary Report on Patentability dated Feb. 15, 2011 for PCT/US2009/053751 (7 pages). |
International Preliminary Report on Patentability dated Feb. 15, 2011 for PCT/US2009/053762 (5 pages). |
International Preliminary Report on Patentability dated Mar. 1, 2011 for PCT/US2009/055380 (9 pages). |
International Preliminary Report on Patentability dated Mar. 1, 2011 for PCT/US2009/055397 (10 pages). |
Photographs labeled Photo 309 and Photo 310 show a poster which was publicly disclosed in the United States in or before Apr. 2009. By disclosing these photographs, no statement is being made as to whether or not these photographs are material or are prior art relative to the present application. |
Communication from Canadian Intellectual Property Office dated Jan. 11, 2013 for Canadian patent application No. 2,735,235 (2 pages). |
International Search Report dated Sep. 28, 2009 of International Searching Authority for Application No. PCT/US2009/053724 (2 pages). |
International Search Report dated Sep. 28, 2009 of International Searching Authority for Application No. PCT/US2009/053735 (2 pages). |
International Search Report dated Sep. 23, 2009 of International Searching Authority for Application No. PCT/US2009/053762 (2 pages). |
International Search Report dated Oct. 14, 2009 of International Searching Authority for Application No. PCT/US2009/053751 (2 pages). |
Joseph P. Vacanti, Martin A. Morse, W. Mark Saltzman, Abraham J. Domb, Antonio Perez-Atayde, and Robert Langer; article entitled “Selective Cell Transplantation Using Bioabsorbable Artificial Polymers as Matrices”, Journal of Pediatric Surgery, vol. 23, No. 1, pp. 3-9, Jan. 1988, published by Grune & Stratton, Inc. |
V.R. Boeree, J. Dove, J.J. Cooper, J. Knowles, and G.W. Hastings, article entitled “Development of a Degradable Composite for Orthopaedic Use: Mechanical Evaluation of an Hydroxyapatite-Polyhydroxybutyrate Composite Material”, Biomaterials, vol. 14, No. 10, pp. 793-796, 1993, published by Butterworth-Heinemann Ltd. |
R.B. Martin, M.W. Chapman, N.A. Sharkey, S.L. Zissimos, B. Bay, and E.G. Shors, article entitled “Bone Ingrowth and Mechanical Properties of Coralline Hydroxyapatite 1 Yr After Implantation”, Biomaterials, vol. 14, No. 5, pp. 341-348, 1993, published by Butterworth-Heinemann Ltd. |
Article entitled “Fractal” (nine pages), published on the Internet by the online encyclopedia Wikipedia; downloaded from the internet on Dec. 14, 2006 in the United States from the following address: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fractals. |
Editor in Chief Sybil P. Parker, p. 799 (showing entries from “fp” to “fracture test”) of McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, Fifth Edition, published by McGraw-Hill, Inc., 1994, New York. |
Office Action dated Oct. 31, 2008 in U.S. Appl. No. 10/980,425 (20 pages). |
Office Action dated Oct. 20, 2006 in U.S. Appl. No. 11/060,377 (10 pages). |
Written Opinion dated Sep. 28, 2009 of International Searching Authority for Application No. PCT/US2009/053724 (8 pages). |
Written Opinion dated Sep. 28, 2009 of International Searching Authority for Application No. PCT/US2009/053735 (7 pages). |
Written Opinion dated Sep. 23, 2009 of International Searching Authority for Application No. PCT/US2009/053762 (4 pages). |
Written Opinion dated Oct. 14, 2009 of International Searching Authority for Application No. PCT/US2009/053751 (6 pages). |
Article entitled “Rolled Threads” (3 pages), published on the Internet by the online encyclopedia Wikipedia; downloaded from the internet on Aug. 24, 2009 in the United States from the following address: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:American_Machinists_Handbook-2e-p23-v001.png. |
Written Opinion dated Apr. 13, 2010 of International Searching Authority for Application No. PCT/US2009/055380 (8 pages). |
Written Opinion dated Oct. 13, 2009 of International Searching Authority for Application No. PCT/US2009/05539 (9 pages). |
Unknown Author, article entitled “MacroPore Resorbable Technology: An Overview”, Scientific Data Series in Resorbable Fixation, MKT004 Rev. 6/01, pp. 1-8; distributed by Medtronic Sofamor Danek, 1800 Pyramid Place, Memphis TN 38132, (Jun. 2001). |
Ralph E. Holmes, M.D., Stefan M. Lemperle, M.D., and Christopher J. Calhoun, M.B.A., article entitled “Protected Bone Regeneration”, Scientific Data Series in Resorbable Fixation, MKT003 Rev. 6/01, pp. 1-10; distributed by Medtronic Sofamor Danek, 1800 Pyramid Place, Memphis TN 38132, (Jun. 2001). |
D.R. Sumner, T.M. Turner, R.M. Urban, R.M. Leven, M. Hawkins, E.H. Nichols, J.M. Mcpherson, J.O. Galante, article entitled “Locally Delivered rhTGF-B2 Enhances Bone Ingrowth and Bone Regeneration at Local and Remote Sites of Skeletal Injury”, Journal of Orthopaedic Research 19 (2001) pp. 85-94, published by Elsevier Science Ltd. |
International Search Report dated May 18, 2005 of International Searching Authority for Application No. PCT/US2004/036997 (3 pages). |
U.S. Appl. No. 08/048,408, filed Apr. 15, 1993 with U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (108 pages). |
Preliminary Amendment dated Jul. 8, 1993 and filed in U.S. Appl. No. 08/048408 with U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (12 pages). |
Machine English translation of JP 2587625 (10 pages). |
International Preliminary Report on Patentability dated May 8, 2006 of International Searching Authority for Application No. PCT/US2004/036997 (6 pages). |
Written Opinion dated May 18, 2005 of International Searching Authority for Application No. PCT/US2004/036997 (5 pages). |
Communication and supplementary European search report dated Nov. 14, 2008 from European Patent Office in application No. 04818642 (3 pages). |
Office Action dated Jun. 25, 2010 from European Patent Office in application No. 04818642 (5 pages). |
International Search Report dated Mar. 12, 2007 of International Searching Authority for PCT/US2005/019045 (3 pages). |
International Preliminary Report on Patentability dated Aug. 21, 2007 of International Searching Authority for Application No. PCT/US2005/019045 (7 pages). |
Written Opinion dated Mar. 12, 2007 of International Searching Authority for Application No. PCT/US2005/019045 (6 pages). |
Office Action dated May 7, 2007 in U.S. Appl. No. 11/060,377 (13 pages). |
Office Action dated Aug. 20, 2007 in U.S. Appl. No. 11/060,377 (3 pages). |
Office Action dated Feb. 20, 2008 in U.S. Appl. No. 11/060,377 (5 pages). |
Office Action dated Sep. 2, 2008 in U.S. Appl. No. 11/060,377 (7 pages). |
Office Action dated Dec. 15, 2008 in U.S. Appl. No. 11/060,377 (8 pages). |
Interview Summary dated Mar. 5, 2009 in U.S. Appl. No. 11/060,377 (2 pages). |
Office Action dated May 27, 2009 in U.S. Appl. No. 11/060,377 (7 pages). |
International Search Report dated Apr. 13, 2010 of International Searching Authority for Application No. PCT/US2009/055380 (2 pages). |
International Search Report dated Oct. 13, 2009 of International Searching Authority for Application No. PCT/US2009/055397 (2 pages). |
Office Action dated Oct. 9, 2007 in U.S. Appl. No. 10/980,425 (16 pages). |
Office Action dated Apr. 7, 2008 in U.S. Appl. No. 10/980,425 (20 pages). |
Office Action dated Jul. 17, 2008 in U.S. Appl. No. 10/980,425 (3 pages). |
Office Action dated Oct. 29, 2008 in U.S. Appl. No. 11/325,530 (11 pages). |
Office Action dated Jun. 26, 2009 in U.S. Appl. No. 11/325,530 (13 pages). |
Office Action dated Oct. 19, 2009 in U.S. Appl. No. 11/325,530 (6 pages). |
Robert J. Klebe; article entitled “Cytoscribing: A Method for Micropositioning Cells and the Construction of Two-and Three-Dimensional Synthetic Tissues”, Experimental Cell Research 179 (1988) 362-373, published by Academic Press, Inc. |
Emanuel Sachs, Michael Cima, James Bredt, Alain Curodeau, Tailin Fan, and David Brancazio; article entitled “Cad-Casting: Direct Fabrication of Ceramic Shells and Cores by Three Dimensional Printing”, Manufacturing Review vol. 5, No. 2, pp. 117-126, Jun. 1992, published by American Society of Mechanical Engineers. |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20170128706 A1 | May 2017 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
61092880 | Aug 2008 | US | |
61088379 | Aug 2008 | US | |
61088383 | Aug 2008 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | 12549748 | Aug 2009 | US |
Child | 15413493 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | 12540676 | Aug 2009 | US |
Child | 12549748 | US | |
Parent | 12540760 | Aug 2009 | US |
Child | 12540676 | US |