# US 2014/0156021 A1 · Unlinked Implantable Knee Unloading Device

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- Number: US 2014/0156021 A1
- Document ID: US20140156021A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 14/173,971
- Filed: 2014-02-06
- Published: 2014-06-05
- Earliest claimed: 2007-05-01
- Assignees: Moximed, Inc.
- Applicants: Moximed, Inc.
- Inventors: Joshua Makower; Anton G. Clifford; Daniel Pfautz; David R. Schiff
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140156021A1

## CPC

- A61F 2/30: Joints
- A61B 17/56: Surgical instruments or methods for treatment of bones or joints; Devices specially adapted therefor
- A61B 17/68: Internal fixation devices {, including fasteners and spinal fixators, even if a part thereof projects from the skin (bone staples A61B17/0642)}
- A61F 2/3836: {Special connection between upper and lower leg, e.g. constrained}
- A61F 2/3845: {allowing only for single rotation}
- A61F 2/3854: {with ball and socket joint}
- A61B 17/8061: {specially adapted for particular bones (A61B17/70 and A61B17/74 take precedence)}
- A61B 2017/567: {Joint mechanisms or joint supports in addition to the natural joints and outside the joint gaps}
- A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C)
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)

## Abstract

A system and method for sharing and absorbing energy between body parts. In one particular aspect, the system is an unlinked structure which facilitates absorbing energy between members forming a joint such as between articulating bones.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An implantable knee unloading device for a knee comprising:
a first member configured to be affixed to a first portion of a knee joint;
a second member configured to be affixed to a second portion of the knee joint;
mating portions of the first and second members configured to contact one another to transmit force between the first and second portions, wherein the mating portions include a piston and a spring; and
wherein the piston is flexible along its length.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the knee unloading device is configured to be implanted outside of the joint capsule.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the knee unloading device is configured to absorb at least a portion of the total load applied to the knee during at least 5 degrees and during no more than 90 degrees of a natural range of motion of the knee.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the piston is translatable within the spring.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The device of claim 4, wherein the spring is formed of an elastomeric material.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the first member includes a universal joint.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The device of claim 6, wherein the second member does not include a universal joint.

### Claim 8

A method of implanting a knee unloading device, the method comprising:
affixing a first member to a first portion of a knee joint;
affixing a second member to a second portion of the knee joint;
wherein the first member and the second member comprise mating portions configured to contact one another to transmit force between the first and second members, wherein the mating portions include a piston and a spring, and the piston is flexible along its length.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, wherein said steps of affixing each comprise implanting outside of the joint capsule.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, wherein said steps of affixing each comprise affixing such that the knee unloading device is absorbs at least a portion of the total load applied to the knee during at least 5 degrees and during no more than 90 degrees of a natural range of motion of the knee.

### Claim 11 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, wherein the piston is translatable within the spring.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, wherein the spring is formed of an elastomeric material.

### Claim 13 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, wherein the first member includes a universal joint.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The method of claim 13, wherein the second member does not include a universal joint.