Resorptive Intramedullary Implant Between Two Bones Or Two Bone Fragments
Patent No. US12059186 (titled "Resorptive Intramedullary Implant Between Two Bones Or Two Bone Fragments") was filed by Stryker European Operations Holdings Llc on Jul 9, 2019.
What is this patent about?
’186 is related to the field of orthopedic implants, specifically intramedullary implants used for arthrodesis (joint fusion) and osteosynthesis (bone fragment fixation), particularly in small bones like those in the hand or foot. Existing solutions often struggle to provide adequate initial stability and long-term fixation, especially when using materials that are designed to be resorbed by the body over time.
The underlying idea behind ’186 is to create a single-piece intramedullary implant with dissimilar anchoring features at each end to optimize fixation in bone. One end uses a threaded cylindrical section for screw-like engagement, while the other end employs a flat section with deflectable arms that spread apart upon insertion. This combination aims to provide both rotational stability and compression, even when the implant is made of a bioresorbable material.
The claims of ’186 focus on a one-piece intramedullary implant designed for insertion between two bone parts. The implant features a threaded end for anchoring into one bone and a second end with arms or projections for anchoring into the other bone. The claims emphasize the specific geometry and arrangement of these anchoring features, including the presence of a step or surface that acts as an abutment to prevent over-insertion.
In practice, the surgeon drills pilot holes in the bones to be joined. The threaded cylindrical end of the implant is then screwed into one bone, using the step as a depth stop. The flat section with deflectable arms is then inserted into the second bone. As the flat section is pressed into the second bone, the arms spread apart, creating a secure, compressive fit. The angle between the two anchoring sections can be adjusted to match the natural alignment of the bones being fused.
This design differentiates itself from prior art by combining a threaded cylindrical anchor with a flat, elastically deforming anchor in a single, resorbable implant. The threaded section provides strong initial fixation and resistance to pull-out, while the flat section adapts to the bone's geometry and provides compression. The use of a resorbable material allows the implant to gradually disappear as the bone heals, eliminating the need for a second surgery to remove it. The step feature also provides a tactile indication of proper insertion depth.
How does this patent fit in bigger picture?
Technical landscape at the time
In the late 2000s when ’186 was filed, arthrodesis and osteosynthesis procedures commonly relied on metallic implants for fixation, at a time when resorptive materials were increasingly explored but presented challenges in achieving sufficient initial stability and long-term mechanical integrity. At that time, implant designs often focused on maximizing surface contact and mechanical interlocking with bone, when hardware or software constraints made complex geometries and material property control non-trivial for resorptive implants.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The examiner approved the claims because no prior art references, or reasonable combinations of references, were found that disclosed or suggested the specific one-piece intramedullary implant designs recited in the allowed claims. These designs include specific arrangements of arms, projections, and surface portions that provide a unique combination of features not previously seen in the prior art.
Claims
This patent contains 21 claims, with independent claims 1, 10, and 19. The independent claims are directed to intramedullary implants with specific structural configurations for anchoring to bone parts. The dependent claims generally add further details and limitations to the features described in the independent claims.
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Date
Description
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US12059186
- Application Number
- US16506353
- Filing Date
- Jul 9, 2019
- Status
- Granted
- Expiry Date
- Mar 30, 2031
- External Links
- Slate, USPTO, Google Patents