ANCHORING SYSTEMS AND INTERFACES FOR FLEXIBLE SURGICAL IMPLANTS FOR REPLACING CARTILAGE
First Claim
1. A surgically implantable device, comprising:
- a. at least one first part made from a shape-memory material; and
,b. at least one second part made from a polymer material,wherein said device is designed for surgical replacement of cartilage in a mammalian joint.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Surgical implants for replacing cartilage are provided with hydrogel polymers affixed to anchors made of “shape-memory” materials, such as nitinol alloys. These implants can be flexed, allowing them to be inserted into joints arthroscopically. After insertion, an implant will return to its manufactured size and shape, and can be anchored to bone or other tissue. The anchoring components can grip and hold hydrogels or other soft polymers by means of an interface of porous fabric. The fabric can support a reinforcing mesh embedded within the soft polymer, and its bottom surface can promote tissue ingrowth, leading to stronger anchoring. Two or more porous layers can enclose a soft polymer, for purposes such as sustained drug release or holding transplanted cells.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A surgically implantable device, comprising:
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a. at least one first part made from a shape-memory material; and
,b. at least one second part made from a polymer material, wherein said device is designed for surgical replacement of cartilage in a mammalian joint. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A surgically implantable device, comprising:
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a. at least one first part made from an elastic material that is designed to allow insertion of the implantable device into a mammalian joint in a deformed shape via a minimally-invasive incision, and to then return to a nondeformed shape within the joint; and
,b. at least one second part made from a synthetic polymer, wherein said device is designed for surgical replacement of cartilage in a mammalian joint. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A surgically implantable device, comprising:
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a. at least one first part made from an elastic material that is designed to allow insertion of the implantable device into a mammalian recipient in a deformed shape, via an arthroscopic insertion tube, and to then return to a nonstressed shape within the joint, in a manner that will enable permanent anchoring of the implantable device to bone or tissue in the mammalian joint; b. at least one second part made from a flexible polymer; c. at least one tissue anchoring layer comprising a porous layer of material that promotes tissue ingrowth into said layer of material, after surgical implantation; d. means for securing said tissue anchoring layer to said first part; and
,e. means for securing said tissue anchoring layer to said second part. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27)
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28. A surgically implantable device, comprising:
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a. at least one first part made from a shape-memory material; and
,b. at least one second part made from a soft polymer that is suited for protecting and nurturing transplanted cells. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30)
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Specification