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US 2006/0224244 A1Published application
Hydrogel implant
AssigneeZimmer Technology, Inc.
InventorsBrian Thomas, Donald Yakimicki, Steven Charlebois, Michael Hawkins
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A hydrogel implant for replacing a portion of a skeletal joint.
Claims26
An implant for replacing a portion of a skeletal joint, the implant comprising:
- a porous substrate;
- and
- an articular surface component comprising a hydrogel attached to the substrate by interdigitation of a portion of the hydrogel into some of the pores of the substrate, the articular surface component defining a bearing surface.
An implant for replacing a portion of a skeletal joint, the implant comprising:
- a substrate having a first portion defining an engagement portion and a second portion,
- an articular surface comprising a hydrogel, the hydrogel being attached to the second portion of the substrate,
- a modular base plate, the engagement portion of the substrate being engageable with the base plate;
- and
- a locking mechanism for locking the substrate in engagement with the base plate.
2 more elements
An implant for replacing a portion of a skeletal joint, the implant comprising:
- a hydrogel articular surface;
- and
- an integral substrate for supporting the hydrogel, the substrate being more highly crosslinked than the articular surface.
A method of forming an implant for replacing a portion of a skeletal joint, the method comprising:
- forming an implant having a hydrogel articular surface and a substrate;
- and
- irradiating the implant adjacent to the substrate.
A method of delivering pharmacological substances to a joint implantation surgical site, the method comprising:
- forming a joint implant comprising a hydrogel;
- hydrating the hydrogel with a solution containing the pharmacological substance;
- and
- implanting the implant in joint articulating arrangement within a skeletal joint such that as the implant articulates within the joint, the pharmacological substance is released.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.