Use of Carbon Nanotubes in the Manufacture of Orthopedic Implants

• US 20070198090A1
• Filed: 02/05/2007
• Published: 08/23/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: M Abdou
• Original Assignee: M Abdou
• Inventors: Abdou, M.
• Application Number:
  US11/671,391
• Publication Number:
  US 20070198090A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/17.11
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7059 Cortical plates A61B17/7007, A61B17/7058 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00831 Material properties
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30771 applied in original prostheses, e.g. holes or grooves
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30965 Reinforcing the prosthesis by embedding particles or fibres during moulding or dipping
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/442 Intervertebral or spinal discs, e.g. resilient non-disc-shaped intervertebral inflatable pockets A61F2/441; non-disc-shaped intervertebral fusion implants A61F2/4455
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/447 substantially parallelepipedal, e.g. having a rectangular or trapezoidal cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/2835 Bone graft implants for filling a bony defect or an endoprosthesis cavity, e.g. by synthetic material or biological material
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30772 Apertures or holes, e.g. of circular cross section
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2400/12 Nanosized materials, e.g. nanofibres, nanoparticles, nanowires, nanotubes; Nanostructured surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/08 Carbon ; Graphite
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 5/00 Nanobiotechnology or nanomedicine, e.g. protein engineering or drug delivery

Abstract

A carbon nanotube is used to at least partially manufacture an orthopedic implant of improved strength and durability. The nanotubes are generally free of structural imperfections, possess high stiffness, high strength, low density, small size, excellent electrical properties as well as variable magnetic characteristics.

Claims

1. A device for the stabilization of adjacent bony and ligamentous elements, comprising:

a body adapted to be at least partially situated between adjacent bony elements of a patient, the body defining at least one cavity adapted to contain a bone graft for bone fusion, wherein the body contains a superstructure adapted to support the load between the bony elements and wherein the body is at least partially manufactured from a nanotube.

2. A device as in claim 1, wherein the nanotube is a carbon nanotube.

3. A device as in claim 1, wherein the nanotube includes an inner cavity that contains additional elements of material.

4. A device as in claim 1, wherein the nanotube includes an outer structure and wherein additional elements of material are attached to the outer structure of the nanotube.

5. A device as in claim 1, wherein the nanotube is at least partially “

Y”

shaped

6. A device as in claim 1, wherein the nanotube is adapted to conduct electricity.

7. A device as in claim 1, wherein the device is adapted for use in the spine

8. A device as in claim 1, wherein the device is adapted for use in a skeletal site other than the spine.

9. A device for the stabilization of adjacent bony and ligamentous elements, comprising:

a body adapted to at least partially rest against a sidewall of a bony elements and affix to a pair of bony elements in a cantilevered fashion wherein the body is at least partially manufactured from a nanotube.

10. A device as in claim 9, wherein the nanotube is a carbon nanotube.

11. A device as in claim 9, wherein the nanotube includes an inner cavity that contains additional elements of material.

12. A device as in claim 9, wherein the nanotube includes an outer structure and wherein additional elements of material are attached to the outer structure of the nanotube.

13. A device as in claim 9, wherein the nanotube is at least partially “

Y”

shaped

14. A device as in claim 9, wherein the nanotube is adapted to conduct electricity.

15. A device as in claim 9, wherein the device is adapted for use in the spine

16. A device as in claim 9, wherein the device is adapted for use in a skeletal site other than the spine.

17. A device for the stabilization of a adjacent bony and ligamentous elements, comprising:

a body adapted to be at least partially situated between two bones wherein the body forms a bearing surface between the two bones wherein the body is at least partially manufactured from a nanotube.

18. A device as in claim 17, wherein the nanotube is a carbon nanotube.

19. A device as in claim 17, wherein the nanotube includes an inner cavity that contains additional elements of material.

20. A device as in claim 17, wherein the nanotube includes an outer structure and wherein additional elements of material are attached to the outer structure of the nanotube.

21. A device as in claim 17, wherein the nanotube is at least partially “

Y”

shaped

22. A device as in claim 17, wherein the nanotube is adapted to conduct electricity.

23. A device as in claim 17, wherein the device is adapted for use in the spine

24. A device as in claim 17, wherein the device is adapted for use in a skeletal site other than the spine.

25. A device for the stabilization of a adjacent bony and ligamentous elements, comprising:

a malleable tether used for stabilization of adjacent bones, wherein the tether provides the function of a natural ligament and wherein the tether is at least partially manufactured of a nanotube.

26. A device as in claim 25, wherein the nanotube is a carbon nanotube.

27. A device as in claim 25, wherein the nanotube includes an inner cavity that contains additional elements of material.

28. A device as in claim 25, wherein the nanotube includes an outer structure and wherein additional elements of material are attached to the outer structure of the nanotube.

29. A device as in claim 25, wherein the nanotube is at least partially “

Y”

shaped

30. A device as in claim 25, wherein the nanotube is adapted to conduct electricity.

31. A device as in claim 25, wherein the device is adapted for use in the spine

32. A device as in claim 25, wherein the device is adapted for use in a skeletal site other than the spine.