Craniofacial implant

• US 7,655,047 B2
• Filed: 04/16/2004
• Issued: 02/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Howmedica Osteonics Corp. (Stryker Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Porex Surgical Incorporated (Stryker Corporation)
• Inventors: Swords, Greg
• Primary Examiner(s): Isabella; David
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ganesan; Suba
• Application Number:
  US10/517,843
• Publication Number:
  US 20050288790A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,118 Days
• Field of Search: 623 1717- 1719, 623/23.5, 623 2352- 2355, 623/23.58, 623/23.76, 606/151, 606/215, 606/213
• US Class Current: 623/17.18
• 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: A61F 2/2875 Skull or cranium A61F2/2803 and A61F2/3099 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30965 Reinforcing the prosthesis by embedding particles or fibres during moulding or dipping
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/2878 for orbital repair
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30535 Special structural features of bone or joint prostheses not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0058 Additional features; Implant or prostheses properties not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/446 with other specific inorganic fillers other than those covered by A61L27/443 or A61L27/46
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 23/06 Polyethene

Abstract

A composite surgical implant that is made of a planar sheet of a thermoplastic resin that includes a top surface (400), a bottom surface (410), and a surgical grade metal mesh (405) contained therein. The implant may be bent by hand, wherein upon the displacement of the implant, the implant will generally maintain the shape to which it has been displaced.

Claims

1. A craniofacial implant comprising a porous polyethylene matrix and a surgical grade metal mesh embedded within the matrix such that the porous polyethylene matrix fills spaces within the mesh and encases the mesh such that all sides of the porous polyethylene matrix forming surfaces of the implant have pores that are sized between 20-500 microns, and wherein the implant is able to be bent or displaced by manipulation by hand such that the implant will generally maintain the shape to which it has been bent or displaced in a rigid and fixed position for attachment to bone, wherein the mesh provides a structure for attachment to bone.

2. The implant recited in claim 1, wherein the polyethylene matrix is porous throughout the implant.

3. The implant of claim 1, further comprising a structure for attachment to bone extending from the porous polyethylene matrix.

4. The implant of claim 3, wherein the structure for attachment to bone comprises a portion of mesh that extends beyond the encased mesh and the porous polyethylene matrix and is adapted to receive a surgical screw or surgical bone anchor.

5. The implant of claim 1, wherein the surgical grade metal mesh comprises titanium.

6. The implant of claim 1, wherein the porous polyethylene matrix comprises a high density polyethylene.

7. A craniofacial implant having a first surface and a second surface, the implant comprising a porous polyethylene matrix and a surgical grade metal mesh embedded within the matrix such that the porous polyethylene matrix fills spaces within the mesh and encases the mesh such that the second surface and sides of the porous polyethylene matrix have pores that are sized between 20-500 microns, wherein the first surface comprises a non-porous barrier surface of polyethylene, and wherein the implant is able to be bent or displaced by manipulation by hand such that the implant will generally maintain the shape to which it has been bent or displaced in a rigid and fixed position for attachment to bone, wherein the mesh provides a structure for attachment to bone.

8. The implant of claim 7, wherein the polyethylene matrix is porous throughout the matrix, and wherein the non-porous barrier surface of polyethylene is on the porous polyethylene matrix.

9. The implant of claim 7, further comprising a structure for attachment to bone extending from the porous polyethylene matrix.

10. The implant of claim 9, wherein the structure for attachment to bone comprises a portion of mesh that extends beyond the encased mesh and the porous polyethylene matrix and is adapted to receive a surgical screw or surgical bone anchor.

11. The implant of claim 7, wherein the surgical grade metal mesh comprises titanium.

12. The implant of claim 7, wherein the porous polyethylene matrix comprises a high density polyethylene.