Artefact suitable for use as a bone implant

• US 6,280,478 B1
• Filed: 01/04/1999
• Issued: 08/28/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Technology Finance Corporation (Proprietary) Limited,
• Original Assignee: Implico BV
• Inventors: Richter, Paul Wilhelm, Thomas, Michael Edward
• Primary Examiner(s): Isabella, David J
• Application Number:
  US09/180,289
• Time in Patent Office: 967 Days
• Field of Search: 623/16, 623/17, 623/18, 623/23.56, 623/23.57, 623/11.11, 623/16.11
• US Class Current: 623/23.56
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/28 Bones joints A61F2/30
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/3094 Designing or manufacturing processes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30965 Reinforcing the prosthesis by embedding particles or fibres during moulding or dipping
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30009 differing in fibre orientations
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30224 cylindrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30878 with non-sharp protrusions, for instance contacting the bone for anchoring, e.g. keels, pegs, pins, posts, shanks, stems, struts
• 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 2002/30968 Sintering
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0069 cylindrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0028 differing in fibre orientations
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00293 containing a phosphorus-containing compound, e.g. apatite
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/12 Phosphorus-containing materials, e.g. apatite
• CPC Class Codes: B33Y 80/00 Products made by additive manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 2111/00129 Extrudable mixtures
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 2111/00836 for medical or dental applications
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 30/02 containing fibrous materials
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 32/005 Artificial stone obtained by melting at least part of the composition, e.g. metal C04B28/36 and C03C take precedence; cast stone from molten slag C04B5/00; artificial stone obtained by melting the polymeric ingredient of the composition C04B26/00
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 35/447 based on phosphates , e.g. hydroxyapatite
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 38/00 Porous mortars, concrete, artificial stone or ceramic ware; Preparation thereof treating slag with gases or gas generating material C04B5/06 ; expanded graphite C04B35/536
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 40/0268 Heating up to sintering temperatures C04B41/0072 takes precedence

Abstract

A three-dimensional lattice structure for use as a bone implant where bone growth is required. The lattice structure has a plurality of laths or bars of bioactive material. The laths or bars cross each other in a plurality of zones, and are interconnected in these zones forming interstices between the adjacent laths or bars. The interstices define a plurality of interconnected pored or channels in the lattice structure.

Claims

1. An artifact suitable for use as a bone implant by implantation thereof into a subject at a body site where bone growth is required, the artifact comprising a three-dimensional lattice structure having a plurality of bars of bioactive material crossing each other in a plurality of zones and being fused in said zones, with interstices thus being provided between adjacent bars, these interstices defining a plurality of interconnected pores or channels in the lattice structure.

2. An artifact according to claim 1, wherein the bars are in the form of sintered extruded strands of the bioactive material, and wherein the lattice structure is osteoconductive and osteoinductive.

3. An artefact according to claim 1, wherein the interconnected pores or channels of the lattice structure comprise from 30% to 80% of the total volume of the artefact.

4. An artifact according to claim 1, wherein the external surfaces of at least some of the bars or rods have hemispherical or concave indentations therein.

5. An artifact according to claim 1, wherein the bioactive material of the bars or rods is hydroxylapatite or tricalcium phosphate.

6. An artifact suitable for use as a bone implant by implantation thereof into a subject at a body site where bone growth is required, the artifact comprising a three-dimensional lattice structure having a plurality of bars in the form of sintered extruded strands of bioactive material, the bars crossing each other in a plurality of zones and being fused in said zones, with interstices thus being provided between adjacent bars, and these interstices defining a plurality of interconnected pores or channels, and with the lattice structure being osteoconductive and osteoinductive.

7. An artifact according to claim 6, wherein the interconnected pores or channels of the lattice structure comprise from 30% to 80% of the total volume of the artifact.

8. An artifact according to claim 6, wherein the external surfaces of at least some of the bars or rods have hemispherical or concave indentations therein.

9. An artifact according to claim 6, wherein the bioactive material of the bars or rods is hydroxylapatite or tricalcium phosphate.