Patent Grant
10463407
It is well known that some people have problems with one or more joints in their body, including in their feet and/or hands, and/or with the healing of broken bones. For example, many people suffer from potentially painful conditions with their toes, such as claw toe, mallet toe, hammer toe, or curly toe. Several procedures have been developed to treat these and other conditions and/or to treat and encourage the proper healing of broken bones. However, existing treatments are not entirely satisfactory.
The present invention is directed to an implant that facilitates the fusion of a first bone part with a second bone part. The first bone part includes a first receiving aperture and the second bone part includes a second receiving aperture. In certain embodiments, the implant comprises an implant body that extends between the first bone part and the second bone part. Additionally, the implant body includes a first portion that fits within the first receiving aperture in the first bone part. Further, the implant body includes a second portion that fits within the second receiving aperture in the second bone part. In some embodiments, at least one of the first portion and the second portion is made of bone. Additionally, in such embodiments, at least one of the first portion and the second portion is formed to have a non-circular cross-sectional shape to inhibit relative motion between the bone parts and the implant body.
In one embodiment, at least one of the first portion and the second portion has a generally rectangular cross-sectional shape. Additionally and/or alternatively, in one embodiment, at least one of the first portion and the second portion has a generally octagonal cross-sectional shape.
Additionally, in certain embodiments, each of the first portion and the second portion are made of bone. In one embodiment, at least one of the first portion and the second portion is made of cortical bone. Further, in one embodiment, at least one of the first portion and the second portion is made of bone that is partially demineralized.
Further, in one embodiment, each of the first portion and the second portion are formed to have a non-circular cross-sectional shape to inhibit relative motion between the bone parts and the implant body. Alternatively, in one embodiment, one of the first portion and the second portion is threaded and includes a substantially circular cross-section that is threaded into its corresponding receiving aperture.
In some embodiments, the implant body further includes a plurality of ridges. In such embodiments, at least one of the ridges extends substantially transverse to a longitudinal axis of the implant body.
Certain embodiments of the invention also can be used as nail allografts. The implant body can include ridges or teeth that are specifically designed to enable the fusion implant to effectively draw the bone parts together. Further, the implant body can include a plurality of longitudinal grooves or flutes to help insertion of the fusion implant and/or to inhibit relative movement between the first bone part and the second bone part.
In one embodiment, the implant body is generally straight beam shaped. Alternatively, in one embodiment, the second portion is angled relative to the first portion.
Additionally, in certain embodiments, the implant body can include an orientation indicator that indicates that the first portion of the implant body is to be inserted into the first bone part. Moreover, in some embodiments, the implant body can further include a depth indicator that indicates when the first portion is properly inserted into the first bone part. In one such embodiment, the depth indicator includes a joint line feature to indicate an insertion depth of the first portion into the first bone part.
Further, the present invention is directed to a method for fusing a first bone part with a second bone part. In certain embodiments, the method comprises the steps of (i) extending an implant body between the first bone part and the second bone part, the implant body including a first portion and a second portion; (ii) fitting the first portion within a first receiving aperture in the first bone part; and (iii) fitting the second portion within a second receiving aperture in the second bone part, wherein at least one of the first portion and the second portion is made of bone, and wherein at least one of the first portion and the second portion is formed to have a non-circular cross-sectional shape to inhibit relative motion between the bone parts and the implant body.
The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which:
The present invention is directed to a fusion implant that can be used to treat and fuse two bone parts. As non-exclusive examples, the fusion implant can be used to assist in the fusion of articular joints in the forearm, wrist, hand (including fingers), lower leg, foot (including toes), and/or ankle of a human or animal. In these examples, one side of the joint being fused can be considered a first bone part, and the other side of the joint can be considered a second bone part. Additionally and/or alternatively, the fusion implant can be used in the repair of fractures of various bones in the body of a human or animal including the clavicle, humerus, ulna, radius, tibia or fibula. In these examples, one side of the fractured bone can be considered the first bone part, and the other side of the fractured bone can be considered the second bone part.
As an overview, in certain embodiments, the fusion implant can include an implant body that is made of bone. For example, as provided herein, the implant body can be made from cortical bone. Moreover, the implant body can be made of bone that is partially demineralized. In one specific example, the implant body can be a partially demineralized human cortical bone allograft. Additionally, in certain embodiments, the implant body can be formed to have a non-circular cross-sectional shape to inhibit relative movement/rotation between the bone parts and the implant body. Further, the implant body can include a plurality of ridges that inhibit the implant from being pulled out of the bone, wherein one or more of the ridges extend substantially transverse to a longitudinal axis of the implant body.
In this embodiment, prior to the insertion of the implants 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D for each interphalangeal joint 18A, 18B, 18C, 18D, respectively, the proper amount of bone is removed and a first (or proximal) receiving aperture 20 is created in each of the first bone parts 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D that is sized and shaped to receive a first (or proximal) portion 22 of the respective implant 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D. Somewhat similarly, the proper amount of bone is removed and a second (or distal) receiving aperture 24 is created in each of the second bone parts 16A, 16B, 16C, 16D that is sized and shaped to receive a second (or distal) portion 26 of the respective implant 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D. For example, each receiving aperture 20, 24 can have a cross-section that is substantially circle-shaped, triangle-shaped, square-shaped, rectangle-shaped, pentagon-shaped, hexagon-shaped, octagon-shaped, or some other shape. With this design, (i) the first implant 12A is inserted and fitted within the receiving apertures 20, 24 of the bone parts 14A, 18A, respectively, and extends between the bone parts 14A, 18A; (ii) the second implant 12B is inserted and fitted within the receiving apertures 20, 24 of the bone parts 14B and 14C, respectively, and extends between the bone parts 14B, 14C; (iii) the third implant 12C is inserted and fitted within the receiving apertures 20, 24 of the bone parts 14C and 16C, respectively, and extends between the bone parts 14C, 16C; and (iv) the fourth implant 12D is inserted and fitted within the receiving apertures 20, 24 of the bone parts 14D, 16D, respectively, and extends between the bone parts 14D, 16D.
In one embodiment, the articular joint surface of the bone parts 14A-14D, 16A-16D will be prepped by removing the damaged cartilage and then creating a hole through both opposing joint surfaces (proximal and distal) of the bone parts 14A-14D, 16A-16D. The design of the implant 12A-12D is such that the machined surface of the implant 12A-12D prevents the two opposing bone parts 14A-14D, 16A-16D from moving in translation, distraction, or rotation relative to each other. The surface shape of the implant 12A-12D also optimizes the surface area of the implant 12A-12D interfacing with the prepared bone parts 14A-14D, 16A-16D receiving the implant 12A-12D.
Similar to the embodiment illustrated in
As illustrated in
In this embodiment, prior to insertion of the implant 312 to facilitate the fusion of the broken bone 313, the proper amount of the first bone part 314 is removed and a first receiving aperture 320 is created in the first bone part 314 that is sized and shaped to receive a first portion 322 of the implant 312. Somewhat similarly, the proper amount of the second bone part 316 is removed and a second receiving aperture 324 is created in the second bone part 316 that is sized and shaped to receive a second portion 326 of the implant 312. For example, each receiving aperture 320, 324 can have a cross-section that is substantially circle-shaped, triangle-shaped, square-shaped, rectangle-shaped, pentagon-shaped, hexagon-shaped, octagon-shaped, or some other shape. With this design, the implant 312 is inserted and fitted within the receiving apertures 320, 324 of the bone parts 314, 316, respectively, and extends between the bone parts 314, 316.
It should be noted that the use of the terms “first portion” and “second portion” is merely for ease of description, and is not intended to limit the scope or breadth of the present invention in any manner.
The first portion 422 is adapted to fit within a first receiving aperture, e.g., the first receiving aperture 20 illustrated in
In this embodiment, the first portion 422 includes a plurality of substantially flat regions 448 and a plurality of ridges 450, such that the flat regions 448 and the ridges 450 alternate along a length 452 of the first portion 422. The ridges 450 are provided to inhibit the first portion 422 of the implant body 444 from being pulled out of the first receiving aperture of the first bone part. For example, in one embodiment, one or more of the ridges 450 can extend substantially transversely to a longitudinal axis 454 of the first portion 422 of the implant body 444. Alternatively, the first portion 422 can be designed without any ridges, and the entire length 452 of the first portion 422 can be substantially flat.
Additionally, in certain embodiments, the length 452 of the first portion 422 can be between approximately eight and fifteen millimeters. For example, in one specific embodiment, the length 452 of the first portion 422 can be approximately ten millimeters. In another specific embodiment, the length 452 of the first portion 422 can be approximately thirteen millimeters. Alternatively, the length 452 of the first portion 422 can be less than eight millimeters or greater than fifteen millimeters.
Further, as illustrated in
The second portion 426 is adapted to fit within a second receiving aperture, e.g., the second receiving aperture 24 illustrated in
In this embodiment, similar to the first portion 422, the second portion 426 also includes a plurality of substantially flat regions 448 and a plurality of ridges 450, such that the flat regions 448 and the ridges 450 alternate along a length 458 of the second portion 426. In one embodiment, one or more of the ridges 450 can extend substantially transversely to a longitudinal axis 460 of the second portion 426 of the implant body 444. Alternatively, the second portion 426 can be designed without any ridges, and the entire length 458 of the second portion 425 can be substantially flat.
Additionally, in certain embodiments, the length 458 of the second portion 426 can be between approximately four and eight millimeters. For example, in one specific embodiment, the length 458 of the second portion 426 can be approximately six millimeters. Alternatively, the length 458 of the second portion 426 can be less than four millimeters or greater than eight millimeters.
Further, as illustrated in this embodiment, the second portion 426 can be angled relative to the first portion 422. Stated another way, the longitudinal axis 454 of the first portion 422 and the longitudinal axis 460 of the second portion 426 can define an orientation angle 462 therebetween. For example, in certain embodiments, the orientation angle 462 between the first portion 422 and the second portion 426 can be between approximately zero degrees and sixty degrees. In one specific embodiment, the orientation angle 462 between the first portion 422 and the second portion 426 can be approximately ten degrees. Alternatively, the orientation angle 462 between the first portion 422 and the second portion 426 can be greater than sixty degrees, or the second portion 426 can be substantially aligned with the first portion 422, i.e. the orientation angle 462 is zero degrees.
The intermediate portion 446 extends between the first portion 422 and the second portion 426. Moreover, the intermediate portion 446 is designed to extend substantially between the first bone part and the second bone part, e.g., be positioned at the joint (for example, the first joint 18A illustrated in
In certain embodiments, the intermediate portion 446 can comprise and/or include a depth indicator 464 that indicates when the first portion 422 of the implant body 444 is properly inserted into the first (or proximal) bone part and/or when the second portion 426 of the implant body 444 is properly inserted into the second (or distal) bone part. For example, the depth indicator 464 can include a joint line feature (e.g., half way between a gap in the teeth of the implant) to indicate an insertion depth of the first portion 422 into the first bone part and/or to indicate an insertion depth of the second portion 426 into the second bone part. Alternatively, the depth indicator 464 can be at the end of the ridges 450 on the first portion 422 of the implant body 444 and/or at the end of the ridges 450 on the second portion 426.
With this design, in certain embodiments, the first portion 422 of the implant body 444 is inserted by the physician until the depth indicator 464 is approximately flush with the end of the first bone part. This will ensure that the first portion 422 is properly inserted to the correct depth. This is particularly important for angled implants to ensure that the angled implant is properly positioned relative to the bone parts. Somewhat similarly, in certain embodiments, the second portion 426 of the implant body 444 is inserted by the physician until the depth indicator 464 is approximately flush with the end of the second bone part. This will ensure that the second portion 426 is properly inserted to the correct depth.
In some embodiments, one or more of the first portion 422, the second portion 426 and the intermediate portion 446 of the implant body 444 can be made of bone. For example, in certain embodiments, each portion 422, 426, 446 of the implant body 444 can be made of cortical bone. Moreover, each portion 422, 426, 446 can be made of bone that is partially demineralized. In one embodiment, one or more of the portions 422, 426, 446 can be a partially demineralized human cortical bone allograft.
In certain embodiments, because cortical bone is anisotropic, the cortical bone's longitudinal axis would be aligned with the longitudinal axes 454, 460 of the implant body 444. In some cases it may be optimal to orient the cortical bone in the opposite direction (90°) to take advantage of the mechanical properties of the bone.
Other sources of the bone material may be used and include, but is not limited to, bovine.
As provided herein, the implant 412 can have the high strength of cortical bone to support the fusion. It can further have the osteoconductive properties of allograft bone but the surface demineralization will give it osteoinductive properties to help with the fusion process. The demineralization will also make the outside soft so that the implant 412 can be placed into the prepared bone to be treated. The demineralized layer extends from the surface of the bone toward the center of the implant body 444. The demineralized portion may extend from the surface to the core depending on the application. In an alternative embodiment, there will not be any demineralization of the outer surface of the implant body 444. This will result in a naturally hard implant 412.
As illustrated in
However, in the embodiment illustrated in
Additionally,
Moreover,
Fusion implant 412, having a substantially octagon shaped cross-section, is illustrated in
In
Other non-circular cross-sectional shapes can be used for the fusion implants of the invention as has been stated throughout the present specification. The fusion implants can have first and second portions with the same or different cross-sectional shapes. For example, the first portion can be threaded or triangular, square, rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal or octagonal in cross-section and the second portion can be triangular, square, rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, or octagonal in cross-section.
In this embodiment, prior to the insertion of the fusion implant 1212, during an osteotomy procedure, a portion of a bone is cut so as to define the first bone part 1214 and the second bone part 1216. Subsequently, the bone parts 1214, 1216 are aligned as desired and the bone parts 1214, 1216 are then prepared by reaming a hole that is adapted to receive the fusion implant 1212. In particular, during this process, a first (or leading) receiving aperture 1218 is created in the first bone part 1214 that is sized and shaped to receive a first (or leading) portion 1220 of the fusion implant 1212, and a second (or trailing) receiving aperture 1222 is created in the second bone part 1216 that is sized and shaped to receive a second (or trailing) portion 1224 of the fusion implant 1212. In certain embodiments, each receiving aperture 1218, 2122 can have a cross-section that is substantially circle-shaped that is adapted to receive the fusion implant 1212, which can also have a cross-section that is substantially circle-shaped. In one such embodiment, the first receiving aperture 1218 can have a diameter that is slightly smaller than a diameter of the first portion 1220 of the fusion implant 1212 and/or the second receiving aperture 1222 can have a diameter that is slightly smaller than a diameter of the second portion 1224 of the fusion implant 12. With this design, a snug fit can be achieved between the fusion implant 1212 and the corresponding bone parts 1214, 1216. Alternatively, each receiving aperture 1218, 1222 can have a cross-section that is a different size and/or a different shape than described above as long as the second receiving aperture is large enough to allow the first portion of the fusion implant to pass through the second receiving aperture on the way to the first receiving aperture. In certain alternative embodiments, each receiving aperture 1218, 1222 can have a cross-section that is substantially triangle-shaped, square-shaped, rectangle-shaped, pentagon-shaped, hexagon-shaped, octagon-shaped, or some other shape.
It should be noted that the use of the terms “first bone part” and “second bone part”, “first receiving aperture” and “second receiving aperture” is merely for ease of description, and is not intended to limit the scope or breadth of the present invention in any manner.
After the bone parts 1214, 1216 have been prepared, the fusion implant 1212 can be placed into the bone, i.e. into the bone parts 1214, 1216, by either axially driving or turning through a female drive feature on the back or distal end of the fusion implant 1212. An example of a female drive feature would be a hexagonal recess, a square recess, a slotted recess for a conventional or Phillips head screwdriver or the like. Additionally, the fusion implant 1212 is placed through the two bone parts 1214, 1216 in one direction, entering initially through the second bone part 1216 and then advancing fully through to the first bone part 1214. At this point, the first portion 1220 of the fusion implant 1212 will be effectively positioned within the first receiving aperture 1218 in the first bone part 1214, and the second portion 1224 of the fusion implant 1212 will be effectively positioned within the second receiving aperture 1222 in the second bone part 1216. Moreover, the fusion implant 1212, thus implanted, will effectively draw the bone parts 1214, 1216 together.
The first portion 1320 is adapted to fit within a first receiving aperture, e.g., the first receiving aperture 1218 illustrated in
In the embodiment illustrated in
Additionally, in one embodiment, as illustrated, the first portion 1320 has a first (or leading) diameter 1334, and the second portion 1324 has a second (or trailing) diameter 1336 that is greater than or equal to the first diameter 1334. This enables the first portion 1320 to be easily inserted through the second receiving aperture 1222 prior to being inserted and fitted snugly into the first receiving aperture 1218.
Further, in the embodiment illustrated in 13A-13C, the first portion 1320 and the second portion 1324 each include a plurality of spaced apart longitudinal grooves 1338 or flutes that extend substantially perpendicularly to the ridges 1330, 1332 in the first portion 1320 and the second portion 1324, respectively. Moreover, the grooves 1338 extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 1331 of the implant body 1326. The grooves 1338 are provided to assist in the insertion of the fusion implant 1312 within the bone parts 1214, 1216, and/or to inhibit relative rotation between the first bone part 1214 and the second bone part 1216 after insertion of the fusion implant 1312. Alternatively, one or both of the first portion 1320 and the second portion 1324 can be designed without the longitudinal grooves 1338.
In this embodiment, as noted above, the intermediate portion 1328 is coextensive with and extends between the first portion 1320 and the second portion 1324. As illustrated, the intermediate portion 1328 is substantially cylindrical shaped. Additionally, in this embodiment, the intermediate portion 1328 is devoid of any surface features, such as the ridges 1330, 1332 or teeth included with the first portion 1320 and the second portion 1324, respectively. Stated another way, the intermediate portion 1328 can be described as a lag portion in the middle with an absence of press-fit material.
In some embodiments, one or more of the first portion 1320, the second portion 1324 and the intermediate portion 1328 of the implant body 1328 can be made of bone. For example, in certain embodiments, each portion 1320, 1324, 1328 of the implant body 1326 can be made of human or animal cortical bone. Moreover, each portion 1320, 1324, 1328 can be made of bone that is partially demineralized or non-demineralized. In one embodiment, one or more of the sections 1320, 1324, 1328 can be a partially demineralized human cortical bone allograft.
In certain embodiments, because cortical bone is anisotropic, the cortical bone's longitudinal axis would be aligned with the longitudinal axis 1331 of the implant body 1326. In some cases it may be optimal to orient the cortical bone in the opposite direction (90°) to take advantage of the mechanical properties of the bone. Other sources of the bone material may be used and include, but is not limited to, bovine.
As provided herein, the fusion implant 1312 can have the high strength of cortical bone to support the fusion. It can further have the osteoconductive properties of allograft bone but the surface demineralization will give it osteoinductive properties to help with the fusion process. The demineralization will also make the outside soft so that the fusion implant 1312 can be implanted into the bone parts 1214, 1216 to be fused. The demineralized layer extends from the surface of the bone toward the center of the implant body 1326. The demineralized portion may extend from the surface to the core depending on the application. In an alternative embodiment, there will not be any demineralization of the outer surface of the implant body 1326, i.e. the implant body 1326 is non-demineralized. This will result in a naturally hard implant 1312.
As shown in
However, in this embodiment, the first portion 1420 of the implant body 1426 includes one or more first ridges 1430 having a helical design. Somewhat similarly, in this embodiment, the second portion 1424 of the implant body 1426 includes one or more second ridges 1432 having a helical design. With this design, the implant body 1426 can be effectively threaded into the first bone part 1214 and into the second bone part 1216.
Additionally, in some embodiments, the first ridges 1430 of the first portion 1420 can have a first pitch, and the second ridges 1432 of the second portion 1424 can have a second pitch that is different than the first pitch. By utilizing different pitches for the helical ridges 1430, 1432 in the first portion 1420 and the second portion 1424, respectively, the fusion implant 1412 is better able to draw the bone parts 1214, 1216 together as the fusion implant 1412 is inserted and implanted within the bone parts 1214, 1216.
However, in this embodiment, one of the portions 1520, 1524 of the implant body 1526 includes one or more ridges 1530, 1532 having a helical design, and the other portions 1520, 1524 of the implant body 1526 includes a plurality of spaced apart ridges 1530, 1532 that extend circumferentially substantially completely about the implant body 1526, i.e. that extend substantially transversely to a longitudinal axis 1531 of the implant body 1526. For example, in the embodiment shown in
Additionally, as illustrated in
However, in the embodiment illustrated in
Additionally, as shown in the embodiment illustrated in
Additionally, in the embodiment illustrated in
In this embodiment, the implant body 1726 further includes a plurality of spaced apart longitudinal grooves 1738 or flutes that extend substantially perpendicularly to the ridges 1730, 1732 and extend substantially the entire length of the implant body 1726.
Moreover, as illustrated, the longitudinal grooves 1738 can extend fully to an end 1740 of the implant body 1726. With this design, the fusion implant 1712 can be driven into the bone parts 1214, 1216 with a driving tool (not illustrated) having tabs that engage with the grooves 1738 at or substantially near the end 1740 of the implant body 1726. Alternatively, the fusion implant 1712 can be driven into the bone parts 1214, 1216 in a different manner and/or with a different driving tool,
Additionally, in one embodiment, the implant body 1826 can include a plurality of ridges or rings, i.e. a plurality of first ridges 1830 in the first portion 1820 and a plurality of second ridges 1832 in the second portion 1824, which extend circumferentially about the implant body 1826 along four of the six faces of the implant body 1826. Moreover, as illustrated, the first ridges 1830 and the second ridges 1832 can cooperate to extend substantially the entire length of the implant body 1826. Further, in one embodiment, the second portion 1824 can be somewhat larger than the first portion 1820 for improved compression as the fusion implant 1812 is implanted within the bone parts 1214, 1216.
In
While a number of exemplary aspects and embodiments of a fusion implant have been shown and disclosed herein above, those of skilled in the art will recognize certain modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations thereof. It is therefore intended that the fusion implant shall be interpreted to include all such modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations as are within their true spirit and scope, and no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/108,687, filed Dec. 17, 2013, which is a continuation-in-part of non-provisional U.S. application Ser. No. 13/409,333, filed Mar. 1, 2012, and entitled “Fusion Implant” which claims priority of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/569,421 filed on Dec. 12, 2011, entitled “Fusion Implant”; and on U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/599,335 filed on Feb. 15, 2012, entitled “Fusion Implant.” As far as is permitted, the contents of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/569,421; and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/599,335 are incorporated herein by reference.
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| Parent | 13409333 | Mar 2012 | US |
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