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US 11,938,029 B2Granted
Circulation replenishing joint implant
OwnerLeon E. Popovitzinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A joint implant device is presented. In embodiments, the device may include a central cylindrical anchor with a sharp distal end and a substantially flat proximal portion. In embodiments, the anchor may be provided with at least one longitudinally extending microtube, to convey at least one of blood and nutrients from the distal end to a proximal end. In embodiments, there may be a plurality of microtubes, each having an intake in the distal end and multiple outflows in the proximal portion. In some embodiments the device may include an eyelet through which a suture may be provided for additional fixation into a joint.
Claims19
A joint implant device, comprising:
- a cylindrical anchor with a central longitudinal axis, the cylindrical anchor including:
- a distal portion that comes to a point, the distal portion configured to be inserted into cancellous bone adjacent to a joint;
- a proximal portion with a flat top end, the proximal portion comprising a top portion of the cylindrical anchor, at least a portion of the proximal portion configured to abut a meniscus or soft tissue of the joint and to allow access into a joint space of the joint, said portion of the proximal portion including a plurality of outflow tubes that respectively connect to a predetermined pattern of openings in an outer side surface of the proximal portion (“side openings”);
- and
- a medial portion, provided between the distal portion and the proximal portion, the medial portion having no openings provided in its outer surface,
- wherein the anchor is provided with at least two internal microtubes, each having an intake in the distal portion, and each extending longitudinally through the medial portion and into the proximal portion along an axis substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis, and each fluidly connected to one of the outflow tubes of the proximal portion, wherein an internal diameter of the outflow tubes is less than or equal to an internal diameter of the internal microtubes, and an internal diameter of the side openings is less than or equal to the internal diameter of the outflow tubes,
- and wherein the internal microtubes, the side openings, and their respective sizes are together configured to utilize the natural pressure gradient that allows blood to flow in the joint to convey blood and nutrients from the cancellous bone to the meniscus or soft tissue.
4 more elements
A joint implant device, comprising:
- a cylindrical anchor with a central longitudinal axis, the cylindrical anchor having a total length, the cylindrical anchor including:
- a distal portion that comes to a point, the distal portion configured to be inserted into cancellous bone adjacent to a joint;
- a proximal portion with a flat top end, the proximal portion comprising a top portion of the cylindrical anchor, the proximal portion having a length not greater than 40% of the total length, at least a portion of the proximal portion configured to abut a meniscus or soft tissue of the joint and allow access into a joint space of the joint, said portion of the proximal portion that is configured to abut the meniscus or soft tissue of the joint including a plurality of outflow tubes that connect to a plurality of openings in an outer side surface of the proximal portion;
- and
- a medial portion having a distal end and a proximal end, the medial portion connected to the distal portion at its distal end and the proximal portion at its proximal end, the medial portion including fastening features and having no openings provided in its outer surface,
- wherein the anchor is provided with at least two internal microtubes, each having an intake in the distal portion, and each extending longitudinally through the medial portion and into the proximal portion along an axis substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis, and each fluidly connected to one or more of the outflow tubes, wherein an internal diameter of the outflow tubes is less than or equal to an internal diameter of the internal microtubes, and an internal diameter of the side openings is less than or equal to the internal diameter of the outflow tubes, and
- wherein the plurality of outflow tubes and the plurality of outer side surface openings are collectively configured, as to number, placement and size, to together convey blood and nutrients from the cancellous bone to the meniscus or soft tissue, under a natural dynamic pressure gradient between the cancellous bone and the meniscus or soft tissue of the joint, from the intake in the distal portion to one of the outer side surface openings of the proximal portion.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.