Patent Application
20240197489
The present invention relates to joint implants and, in a preferred set of embodiments, is a magnetic joint implant.
Phalangeal joints, such as the big toe of the human body, may undergo arthritic changes over the course of life. Likewise, arthritic changes may impact spinal discs. Currently, treatment of phalangeal joints involves surgical excision of bone spurs, fusing the joint, or replacing the joint. There are issues with all of these procedures. Fusion removes all motion of the joint. Joint replacements are prone to loosening due to the friction and subsequent wear that occurs when bearing surfaces rub against each other. Current joint replacements are typically fabricated of metal, plastic, or silicone. These replacements act by providing a pair of bearing surfaces that oppose and rub against one another. This ultimately results in wear particles and aseptic loosening and failure of the implant. Accordingly, what is needed is an improved implant for metatarsal phalangeal joints, metacarpal phalangeal joints, and/or spinal discs.
One example embodiment provides an implant for a metatarsal phalangeal joint of a hallux. The implant includes a first magnet and a second magnet configured such that the first magnet magnetically opposes the second magnet. The first magnet is positioned on a phalanx side of the metatarsal phalangeal joint, and the second magnet is positioned on a metatarsal side of the metatarsal phalangeal joint. This implant creates a metatarsal phalangeal joint that can move freely without frictional rubbing, thereby decreasing the likelihood of joint loosening.
Another example embodiment provides an implant for a lesser toe joint. The implant includes a first magnet and a second magnet configured such that the first magnet magnetically opposes the second magnet. The first magnet is positioned on a phalanx side of the lesser toe joint, and the second magnet is positioned on a metatarsal side of the lesser toe joint. This implant creates a lesser toe joint that can move freely without frictional rubbing, thereby decreasing the likelihood of joint loosening.
Yet another example embodiment provides an implant for a spinal disc. The implant includes a first magnet and a second magnet configured such that the first magnet magnetically opposes the second magnet. The first magnet is positioned on a first side of the spinal disc, and the second magnet is positioned on a second side of the spinal disc. This implant creates a spinal disc that can move freely without frictional rubbing, thereby decreasing the likelihood of joint loosening.
Still another example embodiment provides an implant for a finger joint. The implant includes a first magnet and a second magnet configured such that the first magnet magnetically opposes the second magnet. The first magnet is positioned on a phalanx side of the finger joint, and the second magnet is positioned on a metacarpal side of the finger joint. This implant creates a finger joint that can move freely without frictional rubbing, thereby decreasing the likelihood of joint loosening.
It will be readily understood that the instant components, as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, may be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following detailed description of the embodiments of at least one of a method, apparatus, and system, as represented in the attached figure, is not intended to limit the scope of the application as claimed but is merely representative of selected embodiments. Multiple embodiments depicted herein are not intended to limit the scope of the solution.
The instant features, structures, or characteristics as described throughout this specification may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. For example, the usage of the phrases “example embodiments”, “some embodiments”, or other similar language, throughout this specification refers to the fact that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment may be included in at least one example. Thus, appearances of the phrases “example embodiments”, “in some embodiments”, “in other embodiments”, or other similar language, throughout this specification do not necessarily all refer to the same group of embodiments, and the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the diagrams, any connection between elements can permit one-way and/or two-way communication even if the depicted connection is a one-way or two-way arrow.
Another example embodiment provides an implant for a lesser toe joint. The implant includes the first magnet 121 and the second magnet 122 (
Yet another example embodiment provides an implant for a spinal disc. The implant includes the first magnet 121 and the second magnet 122 (
Still another example embodiment provides an implant for a finger joint. The implant includes the first magnet 121 (
The diagrams depicted herein, such as
As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the present application may be embodied as an apparatus, method, or computer program product. Although an exemplary embodiment of at least one of a system, method, and apparatus has been illustrated in the accompanied drawings and described in the foregoing detailed description, it will be understood that the application is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications, and substitutions as set forth and defined by the following claims. Presenting the above-described functions as being performed by an apparatus is not intended to limit the scope of the present application in any way but is intended to provide one example of many embodiments.
It will be readily understood that the components of the application, as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, may be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the detailed description of the embodiments is not intended to limit the scope of the application as claimed but is merely representative of selected embodiments of the application.
One having ordinary skill in the art will readily understand that the above may be practiced with steps in a different order, and/or with hardware elements in configurations that are different than those which are disclosed. Therefore, although the application has been described based upon these preferred embodiments, it would be apparent to those of skill in the art that certain modifications, variations, and alternative constructions would be apparent.
While preferred embodiments of the present application have been described, it is to be understood that the embodiments described are illustrative only and the scope of the application is to be defined solely by the appended claims when considered with a full range of equivalents and modifications (e.g., protocols, hardware devices, software platforms etc.) thereto.
