THERAPEUTIC AGENT ELUDING IMPLANT WITH PERCUTANEOUS SUPPLY

Abstract

The present invention provides integration between an implant system and therapeutic agent delivery system. The implant may include a prosthesis that restores biomechanical function while decreasing long-term disability and pain by replacing damaged or degenerate tissues, or a reconstructive implant such as a bone plate. The therapeutic agent delivery system may include one or more channels either permanently or reversibly attached to the implant. The channels may receive medication from an external pump via a percutaneous catheter. The channels deliver the medication to one or more medicating surfaces of the implant to treating proximate tissues.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments of the present invention will now be discussed with reference to the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a therapeutic agent source, a percutaneous therapeutic agent delivery structure, a cutaneous interface, a therapeutic agent interface, and a channel delivery structure.

FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the therapeutic agent interface in FIG. 1, with one channel.

FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the therapeutic agent interface in FIG. 1, with two channels.

FIG. 2C is cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the therapeutic agent interface in FIG. 1, together with a cannula positioned at an entry port.

FIG. 2D is cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the therapeutic agent interface in FIG. 1, together with a cannula introduced into a enclosure.

FIG. 3A is cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the therapeutic agent interface in FIG. 1, together with a balloon-tipped connector positioned at an entry port.

FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the therapeutic agent interface in FIG. 1, together with a balloon-tipped connector introduced into an enclosure, and the balloon partially inflated.

FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the therapeutic agent inter face in FIG. 1, together with a balloon-tipped connector introduced into an enclosure, and the balloon fully inflated.

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the therapeutic agent interface in FIG. 1, together with a screw-tipped connector.

FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the therapeutic agent interface in FIG. 1, together with a screw-tipped connector introduced into an enclosure.

FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the therapeutic agent interface in FIG. 1, together with a needle-tipped connector positioned at an entry port.

FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the therapeutic agent interface in FIG. 1, together with a needle-tipped connector introduced into an enclosure.

FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of a segment of the prosthesis surface, with a circular channel affixed within a groove on the surface, wherein the centroid of the channel is positioned at the surface of the prosthesis.

FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of a segment of the prosthesis surface, with a circular channel affixed within a groove on the surface, wherein the centroid of the channel is positioned below the surface of the prosthesis.

FIG. 6C is a cross-sectional view of a segment of the surface of a prosthesis, with a circular channel affixed within a conduit below the surface.

FIG. 6D is a cross-sectional view of a segment of the surface of a prosthesis, with a rectangular channel cut into the surface.

FIG. 6E is a cross-sectional view of a segment of the surface of a prosthesis composed of two parts, with a circular channel below the surface.

FIG. 6F is a cross-sectional view from above of a segment of a prosthesis, with a channel between the upper and lower surfaces of the implant.

FIG. 6G is a cross-sectional view of a segment of the surface of a prosthesis with a semi-circular channel affixed to the surface.

FIG. 6H is a cross-sectional view of a segment of the surface of a prosthesis, with a circular channel below the surface.

FIG. 6I is a cross-sectional view of a segment of the surface of a prosthesis, with a rectangular channel cut into the surface and a layer of material over the conduit.

FIG. 6J is a perspective view of a femoral prosthesis of a knee implant, with subsurface channels according to FIG. 6F.

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a femoral prosthesis of a knee implant, with which a therapeutic agent delivery structure with channels is affixed via links.

FIG. 7B is a front elevation view of the femoral prosthesis shown in FIG. 7A in position on a patient's knee. A therapeutic agent delivery structure is affixed to the femoral prosthesis, and a therapeutic agent source, a percutaneous therapeutic agent delivery structure, a cutaneous interface, and therapeutic agent interface are connected to the therapeutic agent delivery structure.

FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the link in FIG. 7A, in which a barb-tipped link is positioned outside a chamber on the prosthesis surface to connect a channel to the chamber.

FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the link in FIG. 7A, in which a protrusion-tipped link is positioned outside the boundary between a bone and a prosthesis.

FIG. 8D is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the link in the FIG. 7A, in which a protrusion-tipped link is positioned outside an irregularly-edged boundary between a bone and a prosthesis.

FIG. 8E is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the link in FIG. 7A, in protrusion-tipped link is positioned outside a chamber on the prosthesis surface.

FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of a knee prosthesis including a therapeutic agent delivery structure.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a posterior fusion system including a therapeutic agent delivery structure.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an elbow prosthesis including a therapeutic agent delivery structure.

FIG. 12A is a superior perspective view of a breast prosthesis including a therapeutic agent delivery structure.

FIG. 12B is a posterior perspective view of the breast prosthesis of FIG. 12A.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a hip prosthesis including a therapeutic agent delivery structure.

FIG. 14A is a perspective view of a bone plate including a therapeutic agent delivery structure.

FIG. 14B is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a bone plate including a therapeutic agent delivery structure.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a shoulder prosthesis including a therapeutic agent delivery structure.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an intervertebral disk implant including a therapeutic agent delivery structure.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a calf implant including a therapeutic agent delivery structure.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a wrist prosthesis including a therapeutic agent delivery structure.

FIG. 19 is a side elevation view of a cochlear implant including a therapeutic agent delivery structure.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of an external fixation device fastened in a bone of a patient and including a therapeutic agent delivery structure.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of an intervertebral body fusion prosthesis including a therapeutic agent delivery structure.

FIG. 22 is a side elevation view of a temporo-mandibular joint prosthesis including therapeutic agent delivery structure.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a chin prosthesis including a therapeutic agent delivery structure.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of an ankle prosthesis including a therapeutic agent delivery structure.

Claims

1. A system comprising: a prosthesis comprising: a channel shaped to convey a therapeutic agent; anda medicating surface adjacent to an intra-articular space, the medicating surface having a first opening in communication with the channel to release the therapeutic agent into the intra-articular space.

2. A system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a conduit permanently attached to the prosthesis to percutaneously deliver the therapeutic agent to the channel.

3. A system as recited in claim 2, further comprising a coupling configured to provide a permanent link between the conduit and the channel.

4. A system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a conduit reversibly attached to the prosthesis to percutaneously deliver the therapeutic agent to the channel.

5. A system as recited in claim 4, further comprising a coupling configured to provide a removable link between the conduit and the channel.

6. A system as recited in claim 4, further comprising a coupling configured to provide a biodegradable link between the conduit and the channel.

7. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the channel comprises a centroid positioned substantially collinear with an exterior surface of the prosthesis.

8. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the channel comprises a centroid positioned outside an exterior surface of the prosthesis.

9. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the medicating surface further comprises a second opening having a size different from a size of the first opening.

10. A system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a conduit configured to be captured by the channel to percutaneously deliver the therapeutic agent to the first opening.

11. A system as recited in claim 1, wherein the prosthesis is selected from the group consisting of a knee prosthesis, a hip prosthesis, an ankle prosthesis, a shoulder prosthesis, an artificial spinal disc, an intervertebral fusion prosthesis, a facet prosthesis, an elbow prosthesis, and a temporomandibular joint prosthesis.

12. A system as recited in claim 11, wherein the prosthesis comprises a knee prosthesis configured to replace at least one articular surface of a knee.

13. A method for treating a joint, the method comprising: preparing a surface of a bone of the joint;attaching a prosthesis to the prepared bone surface, the prosthesis comprising a channel shaped to convey a therapeutic agent, and a medicating surface having a first opening in communication with the channel;wherein attaching the prosthesis to the prepared bone surface comprises positioning the first opening to release a therapeutic agent into the intra-articular space of the joint.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising urging the therapeutic agent to flow percutaneously through a conduit permanently attached to the prosthesis, into the channel from the conduit, and into the intra-articular space via the first opening.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising: reversibly attaching a conduit to the prosthesis; andurging the therapeutic agent to flow percutaneously through the conduit, into the channel from the conduit, and into the intra-articular space via the first opening.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising urging the therapeutic agent to flow percutaneously through a conduit captured by the channel, into the channel, and into the intra-articular space via the first opening.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the joint comprises a knee, wherein attaching the prosthesis to the prepared bone surface comprises replacing at least one articular surface of the knee.

18. A system comprising: a prosthesis configured to articulate with an adjacent bone or implant, the prosthesis comprising: a channel shaped to convey a therapeutic agent; anda medicating surface in contact with soft tissue, the medicating surface having a first opening in communication with the channel to release the therapeutic agent to the soft tissue.

19. A system as recited in claim 18, further comprising a conduit permanently attached to the prosthesis to percutaneously deliver the therapeutic agent to the channel.

20. A system as recited in claim 19, further comprising a coupling configured to provide a permanent link between the conduit and the channel.

21. A system as recited in claim 18, further comprising a conduit reversibly attached to the prosthesis to percutaneously deliver the therapeutic agent to the channel.

22. A system as recited in claim 21, further comprising a coupling configured to provide a removable link between the conduit and the channel.

23. A system as recited in claim 21, further comprising a coupling configured to provide a biodegradable link between the conduit and the channel.

24. A system as recited in claim 18, wherein the channel comprises a centroid positioned substantially collinear with an exterior surface of the prosthesis.

25. A system as recited in claim 18, wherein the channel comprises a centroid positioned outside an exterior surface of the prosthesis.

26. A system as recited in claim 18, wherein the medicating surface further comprises a second opening having a size different from a size of the first opening.

27. A system as recited in claim 18, further comprising a conduit configured to be captured by the channel to percutaneously deliver the therapeutic agent to the first opening.

28. A system as recited in claim 18, wherein the prosthesis is selected from the group consisting of a knee prosthesis, a hip prosthesis, an ankle prosthesis, a shoulder prosthesis, an artificial spinal disc, an intervertebral fusion prosthesis, a facet prosthesis, an elbow prosthesis, and a temporomandibular joint prosthesis.

29. A system as recited in claim 28, wherein the prosthesis comprises a knee prosthesis configured to replace at least one articular surface of a knee.

30. A method for treating a joint, the method comprising: preparing a surface of a bone of the joint;attaching a prosthesis to the prepared bone surface, the prosthesis comprising a channel shaped to convey a therapeutic agent, and a medicating surface having a first opening in communication with the channel;wherein the prosthesis is configured to replace at least one articular surface of the joint;wherein attaching the prosthesis to the prepared bone surface comprises positioning the first opening to release a therapeutic agent to the soft tissue.

31. The method of claim 30, further comprising urging the therapeutic agent to flow percutaneously through a conduit permanently attached to the prosthesis, into the channel from the conduit, and into the intra-articular space via the first opening.

32. The method of claim 30, further comprising: reversibly attaching a conduit to the prosthesis: andurging the therapeutic agent to flow percutaneously through the conduit, into the channel from the conduit, and into the intra-articular space via the first opening.

33. The method of claim 30, further comprising urging the therapeutic agent to flow percutaneously through a conduit captured by the channel, into the channel, and into the intra-articular space via the first opening.

34. The method of claim 30, wherein the joint comprises a knee, wherein attaching the prosthesis to the prepared bone surface comprises replacing at least one articular surface of the knee.

35. A system comprising: an implant configured to attach to an outer surface of a bone to span a fracture of the bone to facilitate healing of the fracture, the implant comprising: a channel shaped to convey a therapeutic agent; anda medicating surface having an opening in communication with the channel to release the therapeutic agent.

36. A system as recited in claim 35, further comprising a conduit permanently attached to the implant to percutaneously deliver the therapeutic agent to the channel.

37. A system as recited in claim 35, further comprising a conduit reversibly attached to the implant to percutaneously deliver the therapeutic agent to the channel.

38. A system as recited in claim 35, wherein the channel comprises a centroid positioned substantially collinear with an exterior surface of the implant.

39. A system as recited in claim 35, wherein the channel comprises a centroid positioned outside an exterior surface of the implant.

40. A system as recited in claim 35, wherein the medicating surface further comprises a second opening having a size different from a size of the first opening.

41. A system as recited in claim 35, further comprising a conduit configured to be captured by the channel to percutaneously deliver the therapeutic agent to the first opening.

42. A method for treating a bone fracture, the method comprising: positioning an implant on a surface of the bone such that the implant spans the fracture, the implant comprising a channel shaped to convey a therapeutic agent, and a medicating surface having a first opening in communication with the channel; andattaching the implant to the prepared bone surface.

43. The method of claim 42, further comprising urging the therapeutic agent to flow percutaneously through a conduit permanently attached to the implant, into the channel from the conduit, and to proximate tissue via the first opening.

44. The method of claim 42, further comprising: reversibly attaching a conduit to the implant; andurging the therapeutic agent to flow percutaneously though the conduit, into the channel from the conduit, and to proximate tissue via the first opening.

45. The method of claim 42, further comprising urging the therapeutic agent to flow percutaneously through a conduit captured by the channel, into the channel, and to proximate tissue via the first opening.