# US 9,433,509 B2 · Flexible surgically implantable device, made of coated silicone, for joining phalanxes, metacarpus-phalanx or metatarsus-phalanx bones in arthroplasty surgery

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- Number: US 9,433,509 B2
- Document ID: US9433509B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/119,537
- Filed: 2012-05-22
- Published: 2014-04-17
- Granted: 2016-09-06
- Earliest claimed: 2011-05-26
- Applicants: Antonio Sambusseti
- Inventors: Antonio Sambusseti
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9433509B2

## CPC

- A61F 2/4241: {for hands, e.g. fingers}
- A61F 2/4225: {for feet, e.g. toes}
- A61F 2/3094: {Designing or manufacturing processes}
- A61F 2002/30069: {elastomeric}
- A61F 2002/30729: {Separate collars}
- A61F 2002/4228: {for interphalangeal joints, i.e. IP joints}
- A61F 2002/4233: {for metatarso-phalangeal joints, i.e. MTP joints}
- A61F 2002/4243: {for interphalangeal joints, i.e. IP joints}
- A61F 2002/4251: {for metacarpo-phalangeal joints, i.e. MCP or MP joints, e.g. knuckle joints}
- A61F 2310/00574: Coating or prosthesis-covering structure made of carbon, e.g. of pyrocarbon
- A61F 2310/0058: Coating made of diamond or of diamond-like carbon DLC
- 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)

## Abstract

A surgically implantable device (1,10) made of a single piece of silicone, for joining phalanxes, metacarpus-phalanx or metatarsus-phalanx bones of the hand or foot in arthroplasty surgery, includes an enlarged central portion (2) formed by a thickened portion (5) having a rounded profile and provided with a canal (6) extending transversally in which a depression (7) is centrally formed, and by two elongated stem portions (3,4) which extend from the enlarged central portion (2), one opposed to the other. The device (1,10) is coated completely with at least one layer of turbostratic pyrolytic carbon less than or equal to 10 microns thick obtained by physical vapour deposition (PVD).

## Claims

### Claim 1

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.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, wherein the film has a thickness of 0.2-0.3 microns.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, wherein the film is formed by a plurality of layers.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, wherein the thickened portion is placed on a lower surface of the enlarged portion.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The device according to claim 4, wherein the two elongated stem portions have different lengths.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, wherein the thickened portion is placed on an upper surface of the enlarged portion.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The device according to claim 6, wherein the two elongated stem portions have equal lengths.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, wherein two reinforcing metal plates are provided, each of them having a sleeve to be fitted around a respective elongated stem portion.

### Claim 9 (depends on 2)

The device according to claim 2, wherein the film is formed by a plurality of layers.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The device according to claim 1, wherein he single piece is completely coated with the film of turbostratic pyrolytic carbon, and said turbostratic pyroiytic carbon is directly in contact with the silicone of said single piece.