Flexible surgically implantable device, made of coated silicone, for joining phalanxes, metacarpus-phalanx or metatarsus-phalanx bones in arthroplasty surgery

A surgically implantable device for joining any of the group consisting of phalanxes, metacarpus-phalanx and metatarsus-phalanx bones of a hand or foot in arthroplasty surgery, comprising:

• an inert, elastic and flexible silicone material, formed as a single piece, with
• an enlarged central portion formed by a thickened portion, a dorsal surface of said central portion being continuous without depressions or cuts and having a concavity upwards or downwards, and provided with a channel extending transversally in which a depression is centrally formed, and
• two elongated stem portions having a smaller transversal section and tapered ends, which extend from said enlarged central portion, one opposed to the other,
• said depression configured to permit the two elongated stem portions to approach during bending of said single piece, said enlarged central portion and/or said thickened portion configured to operate as a hinge during said approach;
• and
• a film of turbostratic pyrolytic carbon, provided, on an exterior surface of the single piece, having a thickness lower than or equal to 10 microns and formed by one or more layers each consisting of turbostratic pyrolytic carbon applied by sputtering Physical Vapour Deposition (PVD),
• said film being in direct contact with the inert, elastic and flexible silicone material, and
• said film being resistant to rubbing against a roughness of a spongy bone, and configured to remain applied to the exterior surface of the inert, elastic and flexible silicone material even after several flexion cycles of said device.