Composite material bone implant
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A bone implant kit comprising:
- a bone-supporting component formed mainly of a fiber-reinforced polymer composite, in the form of a radiolucent bone plate with a plurality of locations designated for attaching a fixation component therethrough;
one or more fixation components for the bone-supporting component; and
a radiolucent drill guide defining an array of holes, said drill guide configured to be directly mounted on said bone plate such that said array of holes is aligned with and adjacent to said plurality of locations of said bone plate to facilitate drilling for insertion of the fixation components;
wherein said bone-supporting component and said drill guide, when mounted on said bone-supporting component to form an assembly, are radiolucent enough to allow imaging of the bone through said assembly using x-rays.
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Abstract
Radiolucent composite implants. Some embodiments include reconfiguration indicators. Some embodiments include radio-opaque markers, especially along contours. Some embodiments are provided in kit form with accessories such as radiolucent drill guides and/or drives. Some embodiments have fiber reinforcement adapted for various usage scenarios. Some embodiments include metal components, for example, to increase strength. Also described are manufacturing methods.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A bone implant kit comprising:
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a bone-supporting component formed mainly of a fiber-reinforced polymer composite, in the form of a radiolucent bone plate with a plurality of locations designated for attaching a fixation component therethrough; one or more fixation components for the bone-supporting component; and a radiolucent drill guide defining an array of holes, said drill guide configured to be directly mounted on said bone plate such that said array of holes is aligned with and adjacent to said plurality of locations of said bone plate to facilitate drilling for insertion of the fixation components; wherein said bone-supporting component and said drill guide, when mounted on said bone-supporting component to form an assembly, are radiolucent enough to allow imaging of the bone through said assembly using x-rays. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 24, 25)
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18. A method of treating a bone fracture comprising:
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positioning a bone-supporting component in the form of a bone plate at a desired position in relation to a fracture site, wherein the bone-supporting component is formed of a fiber-reinforced polymer composite manufactured with pre-drilled passages for receiving fixation components; providing a radiolucent drill guide with an array of holes directly mounted on said bone plate such that said array of holes is aligned with and adjacent to said passageways; imaging the bone through said bone supporting component and said drill guide using x-rays; and aiming, using said x-rays so acquired, a k-wire or drilling through said drill guide and said bone. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26)
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Specification