Joint spacer implant

• US 20070100450A1
• Filed: 11/02/2005
• Published: 05/03/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zimmer Incorporated (Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Zimmer Technology Incorporated (Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hodorek, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 8,403,985 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/14.120
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/06166 Sutures suture materials A61L17/00; manufacture of artificial threads D01D; treatment of threads D06M
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0642 for bones, e.g. for osteosynthesis or connecting tendon to bone
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/68 Internal fixation devices , including fasteners and spinal fixators, even if a part thereof projects from the skin bone staples A61B17/0642
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/86 Pins or screws or threaded wires; nuts therefor A61B17/72 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0647 having one single leg, e.g. tacks
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0648 threaded, e.g. tacks with a screw thread
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/08 Muscles; Tendons; Ligaments sutures A61B17/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30721 Accessories
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30724 Spacers for centering an implant in a bone cavity, e.g. in a cement-receiving cavity
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30767 Special external or bone-contacting surface, e.g. coating for improving bone ingrowth
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30965 Reinforcing the prosthesis by embedding particles or fibres during moulding or dipping
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/3872 Meniscus for implantation between the natural bone surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30004 the prosthesis being made from materials having different values of a given property at different locations within the same prosthesis
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30014 differing in elasticity, stiffness or compressibility
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30016 differing in hardness, e.g. Vickers, Shore, Brinell
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30026 differing in wear resistance
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30133 kidney-shaped or bean-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30324 differing in thickness
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30546 for adjusting elasticity, flexibility, spring rate or mechanical tension
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30576 with extending fixation tabs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30754 : Implants for interposition between two natural articular surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30934 : Special articulating surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30957 : using a positive or a negative model, e.g. moulds
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30971 : Laminates, i.e. layered products
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3895 : unicompartimental
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0015 : Kidney-shaped, e.g. bean-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0012 : for adjusting elasticity, flexibility, spring rate or mechanical tension
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0014 : having different values of a given property or geometrical feature, e.g. mechanical property or material property, at different locations within the same prosthesis
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0019 : differing in hardness, e.g. Vickers, Shore, Brinell
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0029 : differing in bending or flexure capacity
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0036 : differing in thickness
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00017 : Iron- or Fe-based alloys, e.g. stainless steel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00023 : Titanium or titanium-based alloys, e.g. Ti-Ni alloys
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00029 : Cobalt-based alloys, e.g. Co-Cr alloys or Vitallium
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00976 : Coating or prosthesis-covering structure made of proteins or of polypeptides, e.g. of bone morphogenic proteins BMP or of transforming growth factors TGF
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/52 : Hydrogels or hydrocolloids

Abstract

A spacer implant designed for placement between the bones of a joint, which includes soft tissue components. The spacer includes a spacer body positionable between the bones and defined by an outer periphery. The spacer also includes at least one tether. Each of the tethers has a first end fixed to the spacer body and a second end extending outwardly from the outer periphery of the spacer body. The second end of each of the tethers is adapted to be fastened to any of the bones or the soft tissue components of the joint.

Claims

1. A spacer implant for placement between the bones of a joint, the joint including soft tissue components, the spacer comprising:

a spacer body positionable between the bones, said spacer body being defined by a first bearing surface, a second bearing surface opposite said first bearing surface, and an outer periphery extending about said spacer body between said first and second bearing surfaces; and

at least one tether, said at least one tether having a first end coupled to said spacer body and a second end extending outwardly from said outer periphery of said spacer body, said second end of each of said at least one tether adapted to be fastened to an outer surface of either the bones or the soft tissue components of the joint.

2. The spacer of claim 1 wherein said spacer body is formed of a plurality of layers, said plurality of layers including an exterior layer and a core layer, wherein said exterior layer and said core layer have different material properties such that said core layer is greater in strength than said exterior layer.

3. The spacer of claim 2 wherein said exterior layer comprises a hydrogel.

4. The spacer of claim 2 wherein said core layer comprises a plastic material.

5. The spacer of claim 2 wherein said core layer comprises a metal.

6. The spacer of claim 2 wherein said plurality of layers includes an intermediate layer disposed between said exterior layer and said core layer.

7. The spacer of claim 2 wherein said at least one tether is formed integrally as one unit with said spacer body, such that said at least one tether includes at least one of said plurality of layers.

8. The spacer of claim 1 wherein said at least one tether includes a plurality of tethers spaced apart from one another along said outer periphery.

9. The spacer of claim 1 wherein said at least one tether includes a bone bearing surface, said bone bearing surface comprising a bone ingrowth material.

10. The spacer of claim 1 wherein said spacer body is formed of a rigid molded material, and said at least one tether is formed of a flexible material.

11. A spacer implant for placement between the bones of a joint, the spacer comprising:

a spacer body positionable between the bones, said spacer body being formed of a plurality of layers including an exterior layer, a core layer and an intermediate layer disposed between said exterior layer and said core layer, each of said core layer and said intermediate layer comprising a woven material having different material properties such that said core layer is greater in strength than said intermediate layer.

13. The spacer of claim 11 wherein said woven material comprises metal.

14. The spacer of claim 11 wherein said woven material comprises synthetic fibers.

15. The spacer of claim 11 wherein said spacer body is defined by a first bearing surface, an opposing second bearing surface, and an outer periphery extending about said body between said first and second bearing surfaces;

and wherein said spacer further includes at least one elongated tether having a first end coupled to said spacer body and a second end extending outwardly from said outer periphery of said spacer body.

16. The spacer of claim 15 wherein said at least one tether is formed as one unit with said spacer body, such that said at least one tether includes at least one of said plurality of layers.

17. The spacer of claim 11 wherein said spacer body is defined by a first bearing surface, an opposing second bearing surface, and an outer periphery extending about said body between said first and second bearing surfaces, said first bearing surface including a deformable lip extending upwardly from said first bearing surface and extending along at least a portion of a perimeter of said first bearing portion.

12. The spacer of claim 111 wherein said exterior layer comprises a hydrogel.

18. A spacer implant for placement between the bones of a joint, the joint including soft tissue components, the spacer comprising:

a spacer body positionable between the bones, said spacer body being defined by a first bearing surface, an opposite second bearing surface, and an outer periphery extending about said body between said first and second bearing surfaces, said spacer body being formed of a plurality of layers; and

at least one tether, said at least one tether having a first end coupled to said spacer body and a second end extending outwardly from said outer periphery of said spacer body, said second end of each of said at least one tether adapted to be fastened to an outer surface of any of the bones or the soft tissue components of the joint.

19. The spacer of claim 18 wherein at least one of said plurality of layers comprises a woven material.

20. The spacer of claim 18 wherein said first bearing surface includes a deformable lip extending upwardly from said first bearing surface and extending along at least a portion of said outer periphery.