Metal wire structure for endoprosthetics

• US 5,397,359 A
• Filed: 08/07/1992
• Issued: 03/14/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Oscobal AG
• Original Assignee: Oscobal AG
• Inventors: Mittelmeier, Heinz, Leu, Beat
• Primary Examiner(s): Isabella, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): BRITTINGHAM, DEBRA
• Application Number:
  US07/925,739
• Time in Patent Office: 949 Days
• Field of Search: 623/18, 623/16, 623/23, 623/22, 623/20, 623/1, 623/11
• US Class Current: 623/23.54
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 2008/0046 Textured surface, e.g. roughness, microstructure A61C8/0013 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 8/0012 characterised by the material or composition, e.g. ceramics, surface layer, metal alloy use of specific materials A61K6/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 8/0013 with a surface layer, coating
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/28 Bones joints A61F2/30
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2875 Skull or cranium A61F2/2803 and A61F2/3099 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30907 Nets or sleeves applied to surface of prostheses or in cement
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30965 Reinforcing the prosthesis by embedding particles or fibres during moulding or dipping
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/34 Acetabular cups
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/36 Femoral heads ; Femoral endoprostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/367 Proximal or metaphyseal parts of shafts trochanteric devices connected to said proximal parts A61F2/30739
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/38 for elbows or knees
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/44 for the spine, e.g. vertebrae, spinal discs
• 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 2002/30224 cylindrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30289 helically-coiled
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30293 Cylindrical body made by spirally rolling up a sheet or a strip around itself
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30841 Sharp anchoring protrusions for impaction into the bone, e.g. sharp pins, spikes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30914 Details of the mesh structure, e.g. disposition of the woven warp and weft wires
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30915 made of a stack of bonded perforated sheets, grids or wire meshes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30968 Sintering
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0069 : cylindrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0091 : helically-coiled or spirally-coiled, i.e. having a 2-D spiral cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/04 : Metals or alloys
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/30 : Inorganic materials
• CPC Class Codes: B21F 43/00 : Making bands, e.g. bracelets, or wire making chains B21L; using looms D03D
• CPC Class Codes: B22F 7/002 : of porous nature
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2043/3652 : Elastic moulds or mould parts, e.g. cores or inserts
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 43/36 : Moulds for making articles of definite length, i.e. discrete articles

Abstract

The metal wire structure for endoprosthetics is formed of a sintered hollow mesh knitting of elastic metal wires (D), said knitting being preferably manufactured in the manner of a "rete milanese". Said metal wire structure is either used as a coating (1) of an endoprosthesis (3) or, after having been sintered together, as a bone replacement piece.

Such a metal wire structure allows to obtain a good anchorage in the bone, since the pore size of said meshes may be adapted to the local conditions, on one hand, and on the other hand, the remaining elasticity of said meshes allows a suitable transition from said prosthesis to the bone.

Claims

1. A metal wire structure for prosthetics, consisting of a sintered, hollow mesh knitting covering an external surface of a prosthesis, said knitting being formed of elastic metal wires and consisting of a plurality of interconnected spiral springs, each entwined and sintered together to form an elastic layer, said knitting defining a rete milanese structure.

2. The metal wire structure of claim 1, wherein said elastic layer is sintered onto a metal prosthesis.

3. The metal wire structure of claim 1, wherein said elastic layer is partially melted into a surface of a plastic prosthesis.

4. The metal wire structure of claim 1, wherein said elastic, metal wires are made of titanium, stainless steel, a cobalt-chrome, a cobalt molybdene, a titanium, or a gold alloy.

5. The metal wire structure of claim 1, wherein said spiral springs form a porous structure consisting of pores each having a diameter in the range of 0.2 to 1.5 mm, said wires having a diameter in the range of 0.03 to 1.0 mm.

6. The metal wire structure of claim 1, wherein said metal wire structure has osteotrophic-biactive properties.

7. The metal wire structure of claim 1, wherein said spiral springs form a porous structure consisting of pores having different sizes.

8. The metal wire structure of claim 1, wherein said metal wire structure is coated with calcium salts.

9. The metal wire structure of claim 1, wherein said metal wire structure is coated with a material substantially comprising hydroxyl apatite.

10. The metal wire structure of claim 1, wherein said metal wire structure is coated with a ceramic material.

11. A prosthetic device consisting of:

a prosthesis; and

a metal wire structure covering an external surface of said prosthesis, said metal wire structure comprising a sintered, hollow mesh knitting which is formed of elastic metal wires, said knitting consisting of a plurality of interconnected spiral springs, each entwined and sintered together to form an elastic layer, said knitting defining a rete milanese structure.

12. The prosthetic device of claim 11, wherein said prosthesis comprises a metal structure, and said elastic layer is sintered onto said metal prosthesis.

13. The prosthetic device of claim 11, wherein said prosthesis comprises a plastic structure, and said elastic layer is partially melted into a surface of said plastic prosthesis.

14. The prosthetic device of claim 11, wherein said metal wire structure has osteotrophic-biactive properties.

15. The prosthetic device of claim 11, wherein said spiral springs form a porous structure consisting of pores having different size.

16. The prosthetic device of claim 11, wherein said metal wire structure is coated with calcium salts.

17. The prosthetic device of claim 11, wherein said metal wire structure is coated with a material substantially comprising hydroxyl apatite.

18. The prosthetic device of claim 11, wherein said metal wire structure is coated with a ceramic material.