Implant with improved bone contact
AssigneeInstitute for Musculoskeletal Science and Education, Ltd.
InventorJames A. Sack
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An intervertebral implant includes a body formed as an open lattice structure by a plurality of struts. Some of the struts of the plurality of struts intersect at nodes. The nodes can include an enlarged contact member that extends over the node and at least a portion of the width of some of the struts. Enlarged contact members may have an asymmetrical shape with respect to the intersection of struts. The enlarged contact members can provide improved bone contact for the implant. The plurality of struts can have a cross-sectional shape that includes a flattened portion. The flattened portion of the plurality of struts can provide improved bone contact for the implant. An additive manufacturing process can be used to build the implant in a substantially vertical direction.
Claims13
An intervertebral implant comprising:
- a body formed as an open lattice structure, the body including a central core and an outer portion;
- the body including a contact surface and a perimeter surface;
- the contact surface configured to confront a bone plate, the contact surface being spaced from the central core of the body;
- the contact surface including a node, the node being an intersection of a first strut and a second strut;
- the first strut having a first longitudinal length and a first lateral width, the first longitudinal length being longer than the first lateral width;
- and
- the second strut having a second longitudinal length and a second lateral width, the second longitudinal length being longer than the second lateral width;
- wherein the node includes an enlarged contact member that extends between the first lateral width and the second lateral width;
- wherein the enlarged contact member has a substantially flattened surface forming part of the outer portion of the body;
- and
- wherein at least a portion of the first strut and at least a portion of the second strut extend inward from the enlarged contact member toward the central core of the body.
An intervertebral implant comprising:
- a body formed as a lattice structure, the body including a central core and an outer portion;
- the body including a superior surface, an inferior surface and a perimeter surface;
- the superior surface configured to confront an upper bone plate, the superior surface being spaced from the central core of the body;
- the inferior surface configured to confront a lower bone plate, the inferior surface being spaced from the central core of the body;
- the superior surface including a node, the node being an intersection of a first strut and a second strut;
- the first strut having a first longitudinal length and a first lateral width, the first longitudinal length being longer than the first lateral width;
- and
- the second strut having a second longitudinal length and a second lateral width, the second longitudinal length being longer than the second lateral width;
- wherein the node includes an enlarged contact member that extends beyond the first lateral width and the second lateral width;
- wherein the enlarged contact member has a substantially flattened surface forming part of the outer portion of the body;
- and
- wherein at least a portion of the first strut and at least a portion of the second strut extend inward from the enlarged contact member toward the central core of the body.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.