Implant device for cartilage regeneration in load bearing articulation regions

• US 20050125073A1
• Filed: 12/08/2003
• Published: 06/09/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Depuy Products Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Depuy Products Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Schwartz, Herbert E., Orban, Janine M., Grobe, Nathaniel W.
• Granted Patent: US 7,666,230 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/23.580
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30749 Fixation appliances for connecting prostheses to the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30756 Cartilage endoprostheses A61F2/3603 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30062 (bio)absorbable, biodegradable, bioerodable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30116 partial circles, i.e. circular segments
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30153 rectangular
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30156 triangular
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30158 trapezoidal
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30224 cylindrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30225 Flat cylinders, i.e. discs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30227 arched, domed or vaulted
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30233 Stepped cylinders, i.e. having discrete diameter changes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30235 tubular, e.g. sleeves
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30265 Flat parallelepipeds
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3028 polyhedral different from parallelepipedal and pyramidal
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30327 differing in diameter
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30329 Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30332 Conically- or frustoconically-shaped protrusion and recess
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30403 Longitudinally-oriented cooperating ribs and grooves on mating lateral surfaces of a mainly longitudinal connection
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30429 made by inserting a hook into a cooperating slot
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/305 Snap connection
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30599 : stackable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30604 : modular
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30751 : for attaching cartilage scaffolds to underlying bone
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30766 : Scaffolds for cartilage ingrowth and regeneration
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30785 : parallel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30878 : with non-sharp protrusions, for instance contacting the bone for anchoring, e.g. keels, pegs, pins, posts, shanks, stems, struts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30884 : Fins or wings, e.g. longitudinal wings for preventing rotation within the bone cavity
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30896 : perpendicular with respect to each other
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0004 : bioabsorbable
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0025 : Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0033 : made by longitudinally pushing a protrusion into a complementary-shaped recess, e.g. held by friction fit
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0006 : circular
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0019 : rectangular
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0023 : triangular
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0026 : trapezoidal
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0063 : Three-dimensional shapes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0069 : cylindrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0082 : parallelepipedal
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0039 : differing in diameter
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0063 : Nested prosthetic parts

Abstract

An implant device for cartilage regeneration in loading-bearing regions uses the osteochondral defect model. The implant is formed of resorbable polymeric materials. The implant is designed such that load is transmitted from the articulating surface of the bone platform through the implant to the entire area of subchondral bone of the bone platform. Application of load in this manner results in reduced subchondral bone resorption, leading to joint stabilization and maintenance of normal joint biomechanics. The implant allows for the incorporation therein of a resorbable scaffold or matrix material. The present implant solves the current inability to regenerate cartilage in load-bearing articulating surfaces using engineered scaffold devices.

Claims

1. An implant device for an osteochondral defect comprising:

a first plate made of a resorbable biocompatible material;

a second plate made of said resorbable biocompatible material; and

a load transfer structure made of said resorbable biocompatible material and situated between said first plate and said second plate.

2. The implant device of claim 1, wherein said resorbable biocompatible material is a polymer.

3. The implant device of claim 2, wherein said polymer comprises polyester.

4. The implant device of claim 1, wherein said second plate is porous.

5. The implant device of claim 1, wherein said first plate, said second plate and said load transfer structure comprise a unitary structure.

6. The implant device of claim 1, wherein said load transfer structure is integral with said first plate, and receivable by said second plate.

7. The implant device of claim 1, further comprising a fixation device extending from said second plate.

8. An implant device for an osteochondral defect comprising:

an upper plate made of a resorbable biocompatible polymer;

a lower plate made of the resorbable biocompatible polymer and having a plurality of exposure bores; and

a load transfer structure situated between said upper plate and said lower plate.

9. The implant device of claim 8, further comprising a fixation member axially extending from a bottom surface of said lower plate.

10. The implant device of claim 9, wherein said fixation member comprises a stem having a plurality of radially extending barbs.

11. The implant device of claim 8, wherein said implant device is adapted to receive a resorbable cartilage scaffold between said upper plate and said lower plate.

12. The implant device of claim 8, wherein said polymer comprises polyester.

13. The implant device of claim 8, wherein said upper plate is porous.

14. The implant device of claim 8, wherein said upper plate, said lower plate and said load transfer structure comprise a unitary structure.

15. The implant device of claim 8, wherein said load transfer structure is integral with said upper plate and receivable by said lower plate.

16. The implant device of claim 15, wherein said load transfer structure includes an attachment structure configured to be press fit into receiving bores in said lower plate.

17. The implant device of claim 16, wherein said load transfer structure comprises a plurality of individual supports, and said attachment structure comprises an attachment component associated with each individual support.

18. An implant for load bearing bone articulation surfaces comprising:

an upper plate made of a bio-resorbable polymer and having an upper center bore;

a lower plate made of the bio-resorbable polymer and having a lower center bore surrounded by a plurality of exposure bores; and

a plurality of load transfer supports situated between a lower surface of said upper plate and an upper surface of said lower plate, said load transfer supports surrounding said upper and lower center bores.

19. The implant of claim 18, wherein a scaffold retention area is defined about said load transfer supports.

20. The implant of claim 18, further comprising:

a fixation member axially extending from a lower surface of said lower plate.

21. The implant of claim 20, wherein said fixation member comprises:

a tube having a center bore that is coaxial with said upper and lower center bores; and

a plurality of retention flanges extending radially from an outside surface of said tube.

22. The implant of claim 18, wherein said upper plate, said lower plate and said load transfer structure comprise a unitary structure.

23. The implant of claim 18, wherein said load transfer structure is integral with said upper plate and receivable by said lower plate.

24. The implant of claim 23, wherein said load transfer structure includes an attachment structure configured to be press fit into receiving bores in said lower plate.

25. The implant of claim 24, wherein said load transfer structure comprises a plurality of individual supports, and said attachment structure comprises an attachment component associated with each individual support.