Composite structure for biomedical implants
AssigneeSDGI Holdings, Inc.
InventorsCarlos Gil, Jeffrey Rouleau
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A surgical implant containing two opposing shells, a central body disposed between the shells, and a flexible sheath extending between edges of the opposing shells. The sheath is formed from a composite structure comprising a flexible material and a resistant material that provides for resisting at least one predetermined type of relative directional motion.
Claims25
A surgical implant comprising:
- two opposing shells, each having
- an outer surface adapted to engage the surfaces of the bones of a joint in such a way that movement of the shell relative to the bone surface is resisted by friction between the outer surface and the surface of the bone;
- an inner surface that is smoother than the outer surface;
- and
- an edge between the outer surface and the inner surface;
- a central body disposed between the inner surfaces of the shells comprising an outer surface, at least a portion of which has a shape that complements and articulates with the shape of the inner surface of one or both opposing shells;
- and
- a sheath extending between edges of the opposing shells, comprising a flexible material and a resistant material, and having an inner surface that, together with the inner surfaces of the shells, defines a cavity containing the central body.
A system comprising an implant adapted for insertion between adjacent vertebrae, which implant comprises two opposing shells, a central body, and means for encapsulating the central body between the opposing shells, which means also resists at least one of flexion, extension, rotation and translation, of the vertebrae adjacent to the implant.
A method comprising:
- inserting an implant between adjacent vertebrae, which implant comprises two opposing shells, each shell having an outer surface, an inner surface that is smoother than the outer surface;
- and an edge between the outer surface and the inner surface;
- a central body disposed between the inner surfaces of the shells, the central body comprising an outer surface, at least a portion of which has a shape that complements and articulates with the shape of the inner surface of one or both opposing shells;
- and a sheath extending between edges of the opposing shells, which sheath comprises a flexible material and a resistant material;
- and
- limiting movement of the vertebrae adjacent to the implant to a constrained range, which limiting of motion is caused at least in part by the sheath.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.