Anisotropic biocompatible lattice structure
AssigneeHD LifeSciences LLC
InventorsChristopher L. Jones, Ian Helmar, Lucas Diehl, Jason Tinley, Kevin D. Chappuis, John F. Sullivan
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Abstract
The three-dimensional lattice structures disclosed herein have applications including use in medical implants. Some examples of the lattice structure are structural in that they can be used to provide structural support or mechanical spacing. In some examples, the lattice can be configured as a scaffold to support bone or tissue growth. Some examples can use a repeating modified rhombic dodecahedron or radial dodeca-rhombus unit cell. The lattice structures are also capable of providing a lattice structure with anisotropic properties to better suit the lattice for its intended purpose.
Claims29
A porous structure for medical implants configured for implanting between two adjacent bony structures, the porous structure comprising:
- a three-dimensional lattice configured to extend between the two adjacent bony structures and provide sole mechanical spacing between the two adjacent bony structures;
- a principal axis configured to intersect the two adjacent bony structures;
- and
- a loading direction disposed within 90 degrees of the principal axis;
- wherein the three-dimensional lattice comprises a plurality of unit cells, each unit cell comprising:
- a node;
- a plurality of struts extending radially from the node;
- and
- one or more fluidly interconnected openings disposed within a volume of the three-dimensional lattice;
- wherein the unit cell is elongated in a direction orthogonal to the loading direction within the one or more fluidly interconnected openings to provide increased shear strength of the porous structure in direction of elongation.
A lattice structure for use in medical implants configured for implanting between two adjacent bony structures, comprising:
- a three-dimensional lattice structure configured to provide sole mechanical spacing between the two adjacent bony structures;
- a principal axis configured to intersect the two adjacent bony structures;
- a first loading axis disposed within 90 degrees of the principal axis;
- and
- a second loading axis configured to intersect the first loading axis;
- wherein the lattice structure comprises a longer length along the first loading axis compared to its length along the second loading axis and provides increased shear strength of the structure in direction of elongation.
A porous structure for medical implants configured for implanting between two adjacent bony structures, the porous structure comprising:
- a three-dimensional lattice structure comprising a plurality of repeating unit cells having a radial dodeca-rhombus structure, the plurality of unit cells being defined by a plurality of struts within a volume;
- wherein the volume comprises:
- a length along a principal axis;
- a length along an X axis normal to the principal axis;
- a length along a Y axis normal to the X axis;
- and
- a loading direction within 90 degrees of the principal axis;
- and
- wherein the porous structure comprises an elastic modulus that is lower along the loading direction than along the X axis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.