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  Bone implant, in particular, an inter-vertebral implantUSPTO Application #: 20060167549Title: Bone implant, in particular, an inter-vertebral implant Abstract: A bone implant and the method of manufacturing thereof, the bone implant, in particular an inter-vertebral implant, made of a radiation-permeable material. The inter-vertebral implant defining a surface and comprising a front section, a back section, two lateral sections defining a central axis, and a substantially hollow interior chamber, each section having a superior and inferior vertebral contacting surface. The hollow chamber is subdivided by at least two partitions running essentially parallel to the central axis and which connect the front section to the back section. (end of abstract) Agent: Jones Day - New York, NY, US Inventors: Robert Mathys, Beat Lechmann, Beat Gasser USPTO Applicaton #: 20060167549 - Class: 623017110 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Prosthesis (i.e., Artificial Body Members), Parts Thereof, Or Aids And Accessories Therefor, Implantable Prosthesis, Bone, Spine Bone The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060167549. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/629,694, filed Jul. 30, 2003, which is a continuation of International Patent Application No. PCT/CH01/00069, filed Jan. 30, 2001, the entire contents of each of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference thereto. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention is directed to a bone implant, in particular an inter-vertebral implant as well as a method for producing the same. [0003] Some of the disadvantages of bone implants known in the art are that: (i) the smooth surfaces of the top and bottom surface areas of the implant or those that are equipped with macroscopic serrations in contact with the base plates of the adjacent vertebrae, do not permit an optimal bone tissue growth; and (ii) where any bone growth filler is located in the hollow body of the implant, the filling easily comes out because of the smooth inner walls of the hollow body of the implant. Two publications disclosing bone implants having such characteristics are WO00/66045 to MICHELSON which is more specifically directed to spinal fusion implants with opposed locking screws and French Application 2 703 580 to ROBERT, is another type of bone implant, specifically directed to an intersomatic cervical cage. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0004] The bone implant according to the present invention is directed to an inter-vertebral implant comprising a front section, a back section, two lateral sections which define a cylindrical or central axis, and a substantially hollow interior chamber, each section having a superior and inferior vertebral contacting surface. The implant may be subdivided by at least two partitions that run essentially parallel to the cylindrical axis and connect the front section to the rear section of the sleeve so as to further define superior and inferior support areas. The implant may be made from radiation-permeable material, the radiation-permeable material exhibits low water absorption. [0005] In one embodiment of the bone implant, the partitions are trussed together by a cross strut or brace. Moreover, in a preferred embodiment, the lateral sections of the sleeve of the hollow body may have one or more perforations which preferably have a minimum surface area of 3.5 mm.sup.2. The perforations in the lateral sections are at least partially filled with an X-ray-opaque filler material. [0006] The radiation-permeable material may be selected from the following group: polyarylether ketone (PAEK), polyetherimide (PEI), polyoxymethylene (POM), liquid-crystal polymer (LCP), polymethyl pentene (PMP), polysulfone (PSU), polyether sulfone (PESU or PES), polyethylene terephthalate (PETP), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), or ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE). All of these materials are elastic, but have various mechanical properties such as elasticity (stiffness) in addition to strength compared to other polymers, they sometimes have favorable creep properties or exhibit low water absorption. Moreover, the bone implant may be fiber-reinforced or strengthened with fibers. In yet another preferred embodiment, the fibers may be carbon fibers, glass fibers, or PEEK fibers. [0007] In another embodiment of the bone implant, the ratio V:v between the total volume V of the bone implant and the volume v of the hollow body is 2.1. Moreover, the hollow body may be at least partially filled with a material made of calcium phosphate, preferably hydroxyapatite or alternatively tricalcium phosphate. In addition, the body, may be at least partially filled with material made of calcium sulfate, demineralized bone, autologous bone, or coralline substances. In another embodiment, the hollow body may be at least partially filled with an X-ray-opaque filler. The X-ray-opaque filler being made of a resorbable, preferably porous polymer. In order to design the filler to be X-ray-opaque, contrast medium may be added to the polymer. For PLA a marker, for example, such as zirconium dioxide, may be added, and barium sulfate may be admixed with PEEK. In another preferred embodiment, the perforations of the partitions, lateral sections or both may be filled with the X-ray-opaque filler thereby preventing the filler from falling out. [0008] In another embodiment, a portion of the surface of the implant has thin coating having substantially no effect on the X-ray-transparency. The coating may be made of a metal, the comprising at least one of the group consisting of titanium, gold, and platinum. The coating may also be made from hydroxyapatite or tricalcium phosphate. [0009] In another embodiment, an inter-vertebral bone implant having a total volume V comprises a front section, a back section, two lateral sections defining a central axis, and a substantially hollow interior chamber, each section having a superior and inferior vertebral contacting surface. The hollow chamber may be subdivided by at least two partitions, the at least two partitions running essentially parallel to the central axis and connecting the front section to the back section, the at least two partitions trussed together by a cross strut. The hollow chamber may have a volume, v, and wherein the ratio of V:v between the total volume V of the implant and the volume v of the hollow chamber is about 2.1. The two lateral sections have at least one perforation, the perforation having a minimum area of about 3.5 mm.sup.2. [0010] In another embodiment, the radiation-permeable material is strengthened with fibers. [0011] In a further embodiment, at least a portion of the surface of the implant has a substantially X-ray-transparent coating. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0012] Preferred features of the present invention are disclosed in the accompanying drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, and wherein: [0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an illustrative embodiment of an inter-vertebral implant according to one aspect of the present invention; [0014] FIG. 2 is a top view of the inter-vertebral implant of FIG. 1; [0015] FIG. 3 is a front view of the inter-vertebral implant of FIG. 1; and [0016] FIG. 4 is a side view of the inter-vertebral implant of FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0017] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 4, there is shown an inter-vertebral implant configured for insertion between the adjacent vertebral endplates and permitting growth of an osseous structure through the implant. The inter-vertebral implant may be a generally annular or circular shaped hollow body 1 comprising a mantle or sleeve 6 defining a hollow cylindrical or cone section which has a front section 9, a rear section 10, and two lateral sections 11, and further defines a cylindrical or central axis 7. The hollow body 1 may be divided into chambers by at least two intermediate walls 3 running essentially or substantially parallel to cylindrical axis 7. The intermediate walls or partitions 3 connect front section 9 with back or rear section 10 of the sleeve 6, and may be supported, interconnected and spaced with respect to one another by at least one cross brace or strut 4. Intermediate walls 3 increase the support areas on the neighboring vertebral body endplates, thereby reducing the surface pressure and preventing the implant from sinking into the neighboring vertebral bodies. In addition, the chambers of hollow body 1 allow growth of an osseous structure through the implant. Moreover, each of intermediate walls 3 may be provided with at least one perforation 5 which may have an area of ranging from about 3.5 mm.sup.2 to about 10 mm.sup.2, preferably a minimum of about 3.5 mm.sup.2. The perforations 5 in the intermediate walls 3 serve to spatially fix the newly grown osseous structure and also act as an optional area for primarily introducing a filling compound, which will be explained in greater detail below. [0018] Lateral sections 11 of sleeve 6 may also have perforations 8, which have an area ranging from about 3.5 mm.sup.2 to about 10 mm.sup.2, preferably a minimum area of about 3.5 mm.sup.2. The perforations in the lateral sections of the sleeve serve to spatially fix the newly grown osseous structure and also to provide primary support for the implant during its insertion. The perforations 8, may be similarly filled with a filling compound, to be explained in greater detail below. [0019] A portion of the bone implant surface 2 may have a surface roughness. The surface roughness of surface 2 preferably ranges from 2 .mu.m to about 10 .mu.m, with a preferred minimum of 2 .mu.m so as to provide newly grown bone tissue a better fixation to the implant, or better bone integration. An excessive surface roughness may impair the arthrodesis. Continue reading... Full patent description for Bone implant, in particular, an inter-vertebral implant Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Bone implant, in particular, an inter-vertebral implant patent application. Patent Applications in related categories: 20080167717 - Non-metallic implant devices and intra-operative methods for assembly and fixation - This invention relates to orthopedic implants and to methods of treating bone defects. More specifically, but not exclusively, the present invention is directed to non-metallic implants and to methods for intra-operative assembly and fixation of orthopedic implants to facilitate medical treatment. The non-metallic implant assembly can be secured to underlying ... ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Bone implant, in particular, an inter-vertebral implant or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Leg prosthesis system and method Next Patent Application: Expandable intervertebral fusion implants having hinged sidewalls Industry Class: Prosthesis (i.e., artificial body members), parts thereof, or aids and accessories therefor ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Bone implant, in particular, an inter-vertebral implant patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 1.00294 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Computers: Graphics , I/O , Processors , Dyn. Storage , Static Storage , Printers |
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