IMPLANT, IMPLANT SYSTEM, AND USE OF AN IMPLANT AND IMPLANT SYSTEM

• US 20080082101A1
• Filed: 09/07/2007
• Published: 04/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Erhard Reisberg
• Original Assignee: Erhard Reisberg
• Inventors: Reisberg, Erhard
• Granted Patent: US 8,795,342 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/60
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8023 Variable length plates adjustable in both directions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8076 for the ribs or the sternum
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8085 with pliable or malleable elements or having a mesh-like structure, e.g. small strips A61B17/8071, A61B17/8076 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00004 (bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive for implantable prostheses A61F2210/0004

Abstract

An implant for the purpose of osteosynthesis, for the immobilization and stabilization of tubular bones, especially of tubular bones that have a fracture or an osteotomy, especially of rib bones, comprises at least a first implant component that has an attachment section with means of attachment for the purpose of attaching the first implant component to a tubular bone, especially in a region of the tubular bone close to a fracture or osteotomy. The first implant component further has a connection section, with the connection section being formed for insertion of a second implant component and immobilization of the second implant component in a position adjustable relative to the first implant component. The connection section comprises a guide device for the purpose of guiding the second implant component as the second implant component is being positioned relative to the first implant component. The guide device permits movement of the second implant component relative to the first implant component only in one direction relative to a longitudinal axis of the connection section. A third implant component, which matches the first implant component in functionality, is attached to the other end of the second implant component.

Claims

1-33. -33. (canceled)

34. An implant for osteosynthesis, for immobilizing and stabilizing tubular bones, the implant comprising:

a first implant component;

means for attaching the first implant component to a tubular bone; and

a second implant component;

wherein the first implant component has a connection section adapted to receive the second implant component and to immobilize the second implant component in a position that is adjustable relative to the first implant component.

35. The implant of claim 34, wherein the means for attaching includes means for attaching the first implant component to a rib bone.

36. The implant of claim 34, wherein the connection section comprises a guide device constructed and arranged to guide the second implant component as the second implant component is being positioned relative to the first implant component.

37. The implant of claim 36, wherein the guide device has a substantially flat guide surface.

38. The implant of claim 36, wherein the guide device is constructed and arranged to permit movement of the second implant component relative to the first implant component only in one direction relative to a longitudinal axis of the connection section.

39. The implant in accordance with claim 36, wherein the guide device and the second implant component are constructed and arranged to mutually mesh together to immobilize the second implant component in the position adjustable relative to the first implant component.

40. The implant of claim 39, wherein each of the guide device and the second implant component comprises at least one toothed structure constructed and arranged to effect the mutual meshing of the guide device and the second implant component.

41. The implant of claim 36, wherein the guide device comprises a clamp structure that at least partially encloses the second implant component.

42. The implant of claim 41, further comprising a toothed structure formed at an edge of the clamp structure, the toothed structure being adapted to mesh with a corresponding structure formed on the second implant component.

43. The implant of claim 41, wherein the clamp structure comprises two prongs, and wherein the second implant component is attached to the first implant component by pressing the two prongs together.

44. The implant of claim 36, wherein the guide device comprises a dovetail structure that at least partially encloses the second implant component.

45. The implant of claim 44, further comprising a toothed structure formed at an edge of the dovetail structure, the toothed structure being adapted to mesh with a corresponding structure formed on the second implant component

46. An implant for osteosynthesis, for immobilizing and stabilizing tubular bones, the implant comprising:

a first implant component including an attachment section, a connection section, and a connector piece; and

means for attaching the first implant component to a tubular bone;

wherein the means for attaching is coupled to the attachment section; and

wherein the means for attaching is connected to the connection section by the connector piece.

47. The implant of claim 46, wherein the connector piece is bendable such that the connection section is adjustable into a specified alignment relative to the attachment section.

48. The implant of claim 46, wherein alignment of the connection section relative to the attachment section is adjusted by torquing the connection section relative to the attachment section about at least one axle running through the connector piece.

49. The implant of claim 46, wherein the connection section has a first longitudinal axis and the attachment section has a second longitudinal axis;

wherein the first and second longitudinal axes are disposed at an angle with respect to one another.

50. The implant of claim 49, wherein the angle is one of 0°

, 22.5° and

45°

.

51. The implant of claim 46, wherein the first implant component includes a 3-point system constructed and arranged to provide adjustment of alignment of the connection section relative to the attachment section.

52. The implant of claim 46, further comprising a second implant component constructed and arranged to be inserted into the connection section of the first implant component into a position that is adjustable relative to the first implant component.

53. The implant of claim 52, wherein the second implant component comprises means for immobilizing the second implant component in the position adjustable relative to the first implant component.

54. The implant of claim 53, wherein the first and second implant components are constructed and arranged to mutually mesh together to immobilize the second implant component in the position adjustable relative to the first implant component.

55. The implant of claim 54, wherein each of the first and second implant components comprises at least one toothed structure constructed and arranged to effect the mutual meshing of the first and second implant components.

56. The implant of claim 55, wherein the toothed structure of the second implant component is formed on two outwardly directed surfaces of the second implant component, running in a longitudinal direction.

57. The implant of claim 53, wherein the second implant component comprises an elongated element with a longitudinal axis corresponding to an insertion direction of the second implant component into the connection section of the first implant component.

60. The implant in accordance with claim 52, wherein the second implant component comprises markings arranged to allow determination of a position of the second implant component on insertion into the connection section of the first implant component.

61. The implant of claim 53, further comprising a third implant component having a second connection section;

wherein the connection section is constructed and arranged to accept insertion of the second implant component and to immobilize the second implant component in a position adjustable relative to the third implant component.

62. The implant of claim 61, wherein the second implant component is a connecting element between the first implant component and the third implant component.

63. The implant of claim 61, wherein at least one of the first, second and third implant components comprises a material selected from the group consisting of:

implant steel, titanium, biocompatible metal alloys, biocompatible materials, and resorbable material.

64. The implant of claim 61, wherein at least one of the first, second and third implant components is marked to indicate at least one of an intended application, and an intended geometry.

65. The implant of claim 64, wherein the first, second and third implant components are color coded.

66. The implant of claim 61, wherein the first implant component is attached to the second implant component, and the third implant component is attached to the second implant component;

wherein a distance between the first implant component and the third implant component is adjusted by at least one of a length of the second implant component, an insertion distance of the second implant component into the connection section of the first implant component, and an insertion distance of the second implant component into the second connection section of the third implant component.

59. The implant of claim 58, wherein the second implant component has a predetermined length.

67. A method for osteosynthesis of osteotomized or fractured tubular bones, the method comprising:

attaching a first implant component to a tubular bone;

inserting a second implant component into the first implant; and

immobilizing the second component in a selected position relative to the first implant component.

68. A method of bridging interruptions in a skeleton resulting from removal of bone tissue, the method comprising:

attaching a first implant component to a tubular bone;

inserting a second implant component into the first implant; and

immobilizing the second component in a selected position relative to the first implant component.

69. The method of claim 68, wherein attaching the first implant component includes attaching the first implant component to a tubular bone in a thoracic region of the skeleton.