Shapeable porous metal implant
AssigneeZimmer, Inc.
InventorsBradford J. Coale, Steven Seelman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Shapeable porous metal implants and methods for use in various procedures are disclosed. The implants can comprise a shell according to some examples. According to one example, the method can include providing a sheet of highly porous metal material having a porosity of between 55% and 90%, and wrapping the sheet of highly porous metal material around at least a first bone of the patient. Further examples can form the sheet intra-operatively to a desired shape. In an example, the porous metal sheet can be formed of tantalum or tantalum alloys.
Claims24
A method of supporting bone in a patient, comprising:
- providing a sheet of highly porous metal material having a porosity of between 55% and 90% for encouraging bone ingrowth into said sheet;
- and
- wrapping the sheet around at least a first bone of the patient.
An orthopedic implant, comprising:
- an implantable sheet having a first face opposite a second face, at least one of the first face and the second face comprising a tissue interfacing surface, the sheet formed of a highly porous metal material having a porosity of between 55% and 90%, wherein the tissue interface surface includes one or more features configured to facilitate retention of the sheet to an anatomy of a patient.
A method of fusing at least a first bone to a second bone, comprising:
- providing a sheet of highly porous metal material having a porosity of between 55% and 90%;
- and
- positioning the sheet in contact with the first bone and the second bone for fusing the first bone to the second bone.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.