Implants for creating connections to tissue parts, in particular to skeletal parts, as well as device and method for implantation thereof

• US 9,216,083 B2
• Filed: 12/19/2014
• Issued: 12/22/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Woodwelding AG
• Original Assignee: Woodwelding AG
• Inventors: Aeschlimann, Marcel, Torriani, Laurent, Lanci, Antonino, Mayer, Jrg
• Primary Examiner(s): BECCIA, CHRISTOPHER J
• Application Number:
  US14/576,880
• Publication Number:
  US 20150105862A1
• Time in Patent Office: 368 Days
• Field of Search: 623/23.47, 606300-331
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00491 Surgical glue applicators surgical adhesives A61L24/00; two-component delivery syringes A61M5/19
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/68 Internal fixation devices , including fasteners and spinal fixators, even if a part thereof projects from the skin bone staples A61B17/0642
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/688 for reattaching pieces of the skull
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/80 Cortical plates , i.e. bone plates; Instruments for holding or positioning cortical plates, or for compressing bones attached to cortical plates
• 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 17/84 Fasteners therefor or fasteners being internal fixation devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/842 Flexible wires, bands or straps A61B17/72, A61B17/82, A61B17/86 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8625 Shanks, i.e. parts contacting bone tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/866 Material or manufacture
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8872 Instruments for putting said fixation devices against or away from the bone A61B17/7074, A61B17/808 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00004 (bio)absorbable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive for implantable prostheses A61F2210/0004
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00955 thermoplastic
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/8655 with special features for locking in the bone
• 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 8/0016 polymeric material
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 8/0018 characterised by the shape
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0077 Special surfaces of prostheses, e.g. for improving ingrowth A61F2/30767 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/28 Bones joints A61F2/30
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2846 Support means for bone substitute or for bone graft implants, e.g. membranes or plates for covering bone defects nets or sleeves applied to surface of endoprostheses A61F2/30907; bone plates A61B17/80; bone regeneration in dental surgery A61C8/0006
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2875 : Skull or cranium A61F2/2803 and A61F2/3099 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30749 : Fixation appliances for connecting prostheses to the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30767 : Special external or bone-contacting surface, e.g. coating for improving bone ingrowth
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/36 : Femoral heads ; Femoral endoprostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/3662 : Femoral shafts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4601 : for introducing bone substitute, for implanting bone graft implants or for compacting them in the bone cavity
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30062 : (bio)absorbable, biodegradable, bioerodable, (bio)resorbable, resorptive
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30064 : Coating or prosthesis-covering structure made of biodegradable material
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30065 : thermoplastic, i.e. softening or fusing when heated, and hardening and becoming rigid again when cooled
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30067 : Coating or prosthesis-covering structure made of thermoplastic material
• 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 2002/3611 : Heads or epiphyseal parts of femur
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3625 : Necks
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/465 : using heating means
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4683 : by applying ultrasonic vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0071 : thermoplastic
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0008 : Fixation appliances for connecting prostheses to the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00023 : Titanium or titanium-based alloys, e.g. Ti-Ni alloys
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/00 : Joining or sealing of preformed parts , e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor general aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts B29C66/00; using porous material formed by internal pressure generated therein for joining preformed parts B29C44/1228, B29C44/326
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/08 : using ultrasonic vibrations non-plastics element to plastics elements B29C65/645
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/48 : using adhesives , i.e. using supplementary joining material; solvent bonding
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/54 : between pre-assembled parts
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/562 : using extra joining elements, i.e. which are not integral with the parts to be joined using plastic snap elements B29C65/58; using plastic rivets B29C65/601
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/601 : using extra riveting elements, i.e. the rivets being non-integral with the parts to be joined
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/603 : the rivets being pushed in blind holes
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/1122 : Single lap to lap joints, i.e. overlap joints B29C66/45, B29C66/472, B29C66/52272 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/126 : Tenon and mortise joints tenons and mortises for positioning purposes B29C65/7814
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/21 : said joint lines being formed by a single dot or dash or by several dots or dashes, i.e. spot joining or spot welding
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/30326 : in the form of porosity
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/5324 : said single elements being substantially annular, i.e. of finite length B29C66/5326 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/5346 : said single elements being substantially flat
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/542 : joining hollow covers or hollow bottoms to open ends of container bodies
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/61 : Joining from or joining on the inside for making tubes by bending sheets and joining from the inside B29C53/387
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/652 : moving the welding tool around the fixed article
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/71 : characterised by the composition of the plastics material of the parts to be joined welding bar compositions B29C65/125
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/7212 : characterised by the composition of the fibres
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/727 : being porous, e.g. foam
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/73161 : Roughness or rugosity
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/73791 : biodegradable
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/7392 : characterised by the material of at least one of the parts being a thermoplastic
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/81423 : being concave
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/81429 : comprising a single tooth
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/81431 : comprising a single cavity, e.g. a groove
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/81433 : being toothed, i.e. comprising several teeth or pins comprising a single tooth B29C66/81429, or being patterned
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/8322 : Joining or pressing tools reciprocating along one axis
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/836 : Moving relative to and tangentially to the parts to be joined, e.g. transversely to the displacement of the parts to be joined, e.g. using a X-Y table B29C66/65 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/9513 : characterised by specific vibration frequency values or ranges
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/9517 : characterised by specific vibration amplitude values or ranges
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2005/00 : Use of polysaccharides or derivatives as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2023/04 : Polymers of ethylene
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2023/06 : PE, i.e. polyethylene
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2027/00 : Use of polyvinylhalogenides or derivatives thereof as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2027/06 : PVC, i.e. polyvinylchloride
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2027/12 : containing fluorine
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2033/08 : Polymers of acrylic acid esters, e.g. PMA, i.e. polymethylacrylate
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2033/12 : Polymers of methacrylic acid esters, e.g. PMMA, i.e. polymethylmethacrylate
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2067/00 : Use of polyesters or derivatives thereof, as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2067/043 : PGA, i.e. polyglycolic acid or polyglycolide
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2067/046 : PLA, i.e. polylactic acid or polylactide
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2069/00 : Use of PC, i.e. polycarbonates or derivatives thereof, as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2071/00 : Use of polyethers , e.g. PEEK, i.e. polyether-etherketone or PEK, i.e. polyetherketone or derivatives thereof, as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2075/00 : Use of PU, i.e. polyureas or polyurethanes or derivatives thereof, as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2077/00 : Use of PA, i.e. polyamides, e.g. polyesteramides or derivatives thereof, as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2079/085 : Thermoplastic polyimides, e.g. polyesterimides, PEI, i.e. polyetherimides, or polyamideimides; Derivatives thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2081/06 : PSU, i.e. polysulfones; PES, i.e. polyethersulfones or derivatives thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2307/04 : Carbon
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2309/08 : Glass
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 606/908 : Bioabsorbable material
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 606/915 : Toolkit for installing or removing cortical plate
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 606/916 : Tool for installing or removing orthopedic fastener

Abstract

A method for locating a material having thermoplastic properties in pores of bone tissue includes providing a pin having the material having thermoplastic properties and a core, wherein the material having thermoplastic properties is arranged on the circumferential surface of the core constituting an outer region of the pin. An opening is provided in the bone tissue, and the pin is positioned at least partly in the opening. The outer region of the pin is then impinged with mechanical vibration energy for a time sufficient for liquefying at least part of the material having thermoplastic properties, and, in a liquefied state, pressing it into the pores of the bone tissue surrounding the opening. The vibration energy is stopped for a time sufficient for re-solidification of the liquefied material, and then the core is removed.

Claims

1. A method for locating a material having thermoplastic properties in pores of bone tissue in a human or animal body, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a pin comprising the material having thermoplastic properties and a core, wherein the core comprises a distal end and a proximal end and a circumferential surface therebetween, wherein the material having thermoplastic properties is arranged on the circumferential surface of the core constituting an outer region of the pin, and wherein the material having thermoplastic properties is liquefiable with the aid of mechanical vibration energy,

providing an opening in the bone tissue, the opening being adapted to the pin,

positioning the pin at least partly in the opening,

impinging the outer region of the positioned pin with the mechanical vibration energy for a time sufficient for liquefying at least part of the material having thermoplastic properties, and, in a liquefied state, pressing it into the pores of the bone tissue surrounding the opening,

stopping the vibration energy for a time sufficient for re-solidification of the liquefied material, and,

after the step of stopping, removing the core.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the outer region of the pin surrounds the core completely and therefore is annular and wherein, in the step of impinging and in the step of stopping, a vibration tool with a corresponding annular distal face is used.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the bone tissue surrounding the opening is fortified by the thermoplastic material.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the core consists of a further material which is not liquefiable by the mechanical vibration energy used in the step of impinging.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the material having thermoplastic properties is additionally arranged on the distal end of the core.

6. The method according to claim 1, and further comprising a step of anchoring an artificial support or fixation element in the resolidified material having thermoplastic properties.

7. The method according to claim 1 and further comprising a step of connecting another tissue part or a means for supporting or replacing another tissue part to the resolidified material having thermoplastic properties.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the material having thermoplastic properties is a biodegradable material.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the biodegradable material comprises a polymer based on at least one of lactic acid and glycolic acid.

10. A method for fastening a first and a second object relative to bone tissue in a human or animal body with the aid of a material having thermoplastic properties and being liquefiable by application of mechanical vibration energy, the method comprising the steps of:

providing the first and second objects, wherein the first object comprises a first surface portion of a first material having thermoplastic properties and at least one of the first and second objects comprises a second surface region of a second material having thermoplastic properties,

positioning the first and the second objects relative to each other and relative to the bone tissue such that the first surface region faces the bone tissue and the second surface region faces a third surface region of the other one of the first and second objects,

impinging the first or the second object with the mechanical vibration energy for a time sufficient for liquefying at least parts of the first and second surface portions while bringing the first surface portion into contact with the bone tissue and the second surface portion into contact with the third surface portion,

stopping the mechanical vibration energy for a time sufficient for re-solidification of the liquefied material while keeping the first surface portion in contact with the bone tissue and the second surface portion in contact with the third surface portion,

wherein, in the step of impinging and in the step of stopping, connections are established between the first surface portion and the bone tissue and between the second surface portion and the third surface portion.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the second material having thermoplastic properties is comprised by the first object and wherein the first and second materials having thermoplastic properties are the same material.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein the third surface portion comprises a third material having thermoplastic properties being weldable to the second material having thermoplastic properties and wherein the connection established between the second and third surface portions is a welded connection.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the second and the third materials having thermoplastic properties are the same material.

14. The method according to claim 10, wherein the third surface portion comprises a surface structure into which the liquefied second material having thermoplastic properties is pressed during the step of impinging, and wherein the connection established between the second and the third surface portions is a positive fit connection.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein said surface structure comprises openings, cavities, pores, grooves or a thread.

16. The method according to claim 10, wherein the first object is a pin, wherein the second object comprises a through opening adapted to the pin, wherein, during the step of positioning, the pin is positioned to extend through the through opening, and wherein, for the step of impinging, the pin is impinged with the mechanical vibration energy.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the first and second surface portions are arranged on the pin, wherein the first and second materials having thermoplastic properties are the same, and wherein the pin consists completely of this same material.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the through opening comprises a thread which constitutes the third surface portion.

19. The method according to claim 16, wherein, before the step of positioning, a bore is provided in the bone tissue, wherein during the step of positioning, the pin is positioned through the through opening and at least partly into the bore.

20. The method according to claim 10, wherein, during the step of positioning, the first object is positioned between the bone tissue and the second object, and wherein for the step of impinging, the second object is impinged with the mechanical vibration energy.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the second object is a plate.

22. The method according to claim 20, wherein the second material having thermoplastic properties is arranged on the first object, and wherein the first and the second materials having thermoplastic properties are the same material, and wherein the first object consists completely of said same material.

23. The method according to claim 20, wherein the first object is a film or a textile web.

24. The method according to claim 10, wherein at least one of the first and second material having thermoplastic properties is a biodegradable material.

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein the first and second object consist completely of the biodegradable material.

26. The method according to claim 24, wherein the biodegradable material comprises a polymer based on at least one of lactic acid and glycolic acid.