MEDICAL CHAIN NET

Abstract

A medical product for use during the treatment of a bone defect, having a plurality of individual elements that are connected to one another such that individual elements adjacent to one another engage in one another/are chained to one another. The individual elements of the chain net are subdivided into main elements and connection elements that are designed differently from the main elements. The main elements and the connection elements form, when chained to one another, a grid structure that is flat in the x-y plane.

Claims

1. A medical product for use in treating a bone defect, the medical product comprising a plurality of individual link elements which are connected to each other in such a way that adjacent individual link elements interlock/are linked to each other, the individual link elements being subdivided into main link elements and connection link elements, the connection link elements having a different geometric form than the main link elements, the main link elements and the connection link elements forming a planar grid structure that extends in an x-direction, a y-direction and a z-direction, the planar grid structure being planar in an x-y plane in an interlinked state, the x-y plane extending in the x-direction and the y-direction, wherein the main link elements have a first thickness in the z-direction, and the connection link elements have a second thickness in the z-direction that is less than the first thickness.

2. The medical product according to claim 1, wherein the main link elements are asymmetrical in the z-direction.

3. The medical product according to claim 2, wherein the planar grid structure is curvable in the z-direction.

4. The medical product according to claim 3, wherein the main link elements predefine a maximum curvature of the planar grid structure by their mutual contact.

5. The medical product according to claim 4, wherein the connection link elements prevent movement of the main link elements upon reaching the maximum curvature.

6. The medical product according to claim 5, wherein the maximum curvature in a positive z-direction is different from the maximum curvature in a negative z-direction.

7. The medical product according to claim 1, wherein the main link elements are each formed as a framework-shaped, triangular frustum of a pyramid and the connection link elements are each formed as an eyelet-shaped polygon.

8. The medical product according to claim 7, wherein the connection link elements are each formed as an eyelet-shaped hexagon.

9. The medical product according to claim 1, wherein the main link elements and the connection link elements have a self-contained shape.

10. The medical product according to claim 1, wherein the connection link elements comprise rings having a common orientation and conforming to a common first plane.

11. The medical product according to claim 10, wherein the common first plane extends in the x-direction and the y-direction.

12. The medical product according to claim 11, wherein each main link element is formed as a framework comprising a first polygon and a second polygon parallel to and offset from the first polygon.

13. The medical product according to claim 12, wherein the first polygons of the main link elements conform to a common second plane, and the second polygons of the main link elements conform to a common third plane.

14. The medical product according to claim 12, wherein the common second plane and the common third plane extend in the x-direction and the y-direction.

15. The medical product according to claim 14, wherein the common first plane extends between the common second plane and the common third plane.

16. A medical product for use in treating a bone defect, the medical product comprising a plurality of individual link elements which are connected to each other in such a way that adjacent individual link elements interlock/are linked to each other, the individual link elements being subdivided into main link elements and connection link elements, the main link elements and the connection link elements forming a planar grid structure that extends in an x-direction, a y-direction and a z-direction, the planar grid structure being planar in an x-y plane in an interlinked state, the x-y plane extending in the x-direction and the y-direction, wherein the main link elements have a first thickness in the z-direction and the connection link elements have a second thickness in the z-direction that is less than the first thickness, the connection link elements comprising rings having a common orientation and conforming to a common first plane.

17. The medical product according to claim 16, wherein each main link element is formed as a framework comprising a first polygon and a second polygon parallel to and offset from the first polygon.

18. The medical product according to claim 17, wherein the first polygons of the main link elements conform to a common second plane, and the second polygons of the main link elements conform to a common third plane.

19. The medical product according to claim 18, wherein the common first plane extends between the common second plane and the common third plane.

20. The medical product according to claim 17, wherein the first polygon comprises a first triangle and the second polygon comprises a second triangle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

[0039] FIG. 1 is a representation of the medical product according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0040] FIG. 2 is a representation illustrating a three-dimensional main link element according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0041] FIG. 3 is a representation illustrating a two-dimensional connection link element according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0042] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the medical product according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0043] FIG. 5 is a representation of the medical product according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0044] FIG. 6 is a representation illustrating a three-dimensional main link element according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0045] FIG. 7 is a representation illustrating a three-dimensional connection link element according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0046] FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the medical product according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0047] FIG. 9 is a representation of the medical product according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0048] FIG. 10 is a representation illustrating a three-dimensional main link element according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0049] FIG. 11 is a representation illustrating a three-dimensional connection link element according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0050] FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the medical product according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0051] FIG. 13 is a representation of the medical product according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0052] FIG. 14 is a representation illustrating a three-dimensional main link element according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0053] FIG. 15 is a representation illustrating a three-dimensional connection link element according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0054] FIG. 16 is a sectional view of the medical product according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0055] Examples of embodiments of the present disclosure are described below on the basis of the accompanying figures. The figures are merely schematic in nature and are intended to aid in understanding the invention. Identical elements are designated by the same reference signs.

First Embodiment

[0056] FIG. 1 is a representation of the medical product 1 according to a first embodiment. The shown medical product 1 shows a plurality of individual link elements 2, which are connected to each other in such a way that adjacent individual link elements 2 are interlinked. The individual link elements 2 can be subdivided/split into main link elements 3 and connection link elements 4, which have a different geometry/shape with respect each other.

[0057] The interlinking of the individual link elements 2 and the main link elements 3 and the connection link elements 4 shown in FIG. 1 creates a planar grid structure that lies in the x-y plane and can be bent in the z-direction.

[0058] In FIG. 2, it can be seen that a main link element 3 has a triangular shape in plan view, in particular the shape of an equilateral triangle. A base edge 10 of a first main link element 3 is adjacent to a base edge 10 of a second main link element 3. When the main link elements 3 are joined together in this manner, six main link elements 3 are each connected to each other by a connection link element 4, provided that the connection link element 4 is located in the center of the medical product 1, in particular of the implant. A main link element 3 located in the center of the medical product 1 is in contact with three connection link elements 4.

[0059] FIG. 2 is a representation illustrating a three-dimensional main link element 3 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. The main link element 3 of the first embodiment is a framework-like, triangular frustum of a pyramid. In other words, the main link element 3 has a first three-dimensional triangle 5 with a first triangular recess 6 at its center and a second three-dimensional triangle 7 with a second triangular recess 6 at its center. The first triangle 5 is arranged above the second triangle 7 and the base area of the first triangle 5 is smaller than the base area of the second triangle 7. The tips 9 of the two triangles 5 and 7 are connected to each other via the three side edges 8 of the frustum of a pyramid with an angle of inclination adapted to the different base areas.

[0060] The edges and corners of the main link element 3 shown in FIG. 2 as a framework-like, triangular frustum of a pyramid are rounded. The main link element 3 according to the first embodiment is asymmetric in the z-direction, since the lower triangle 7 is larger than the upper triangle 5, and is only symmetric in the y-axis direction. In particular, the angles of inclination of the three side edges 8 can be the same or different according to each other, which also affects the symmetry ratios.

[0061] FIG. 3 is a representation illustrating a two-dimensional connection link element 4 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. The connection link element 4 of the first embodiment is exemplarily formed as an eyelet-shaped hexagon.

[0062] The connection link element 4 also has rounded edges and corners. The eyelet-shaped hexagon has a uniform thickness over the entire circumference. The connection link element 4 according to the first embodiment is symmetric in the x-, y- and z-axis direction as well as point symmetric.

[0063] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the medical product 1 according to the first embodiment. It can be seen that a main link element 3 is in contact with three connection link elements 4. One corner of the eyelet-shaped hexagon shown is used to hold a side edge 8 of the frustum of a pyramid. In the partial view, it is shown that due to the shape of the frustum of a pyramid, the distance between the base sides of two adjacent second triangles 7 is less than the distance between the base sides of two adjacent first triangles 5.

[0064] When the medical product 1 is curved according to the first embodiments described above in the positive z-direction, i.e. in the case where the curvature of the implant points towards the upper side of the frustum of a pyramid, the distance between the base edges of the adjacent triangles 5 defining the respective upper side of the frusta of pyramids increases and the distance between the base edges of the adjacent triangles 7 defining the respective lower side of the frusta of pyramids decreases. As soon as the base edges of the triangles 5, which define the respective lower side of the frusta of pyramids, touch, the maximum predefined curvature is reached and the medical product 1 stiffens, or the main link elements 3 and connection link elements 4 interlock with each other in such a way that no further movement is possible.

[0065] When the medical product 1 is curved according to the first embodiments described above in the negative z-direction, i.e. in the case where the curvature of the implant points towards the lower side of the frustum of a pyramid, the distance between the base edges of the adjacent triangles 5 defining the respective upper side of the frusta of pyramids becomes smaller and the distance between the base edges of the adjacent triangles 7 defining the respective lower side of the frusta of pyramids becomes larger. As soon as the base edges of the triangles 7 that define the respective upper side of the frusta of pyramids touch, the maximum predefined curvature is reached and the medical product 1 stiffens, or the main link elements 3 and connection link elements 4 interlock with each other in such a way that no further movement is possible.

[0066] FIG. 5 is a representation of the medical product 1 according to a second embodiment. The medical product 1 shown has a large number of individual link elements 2, which are connected to each other in such a way that adjacent individual link elements 2 are interlinked. As in the first embodiment, these individual link elements 2 are also divided into main link elements 3 and connection link elements 4, which have a different geometry/shape with respect to each other.

[0067] The interlinking of the individual link elements 2 or respectively of the main link elements 3 and the connection link elements 4 shown in FIG. 5 creates a planar grid structure that lies in the x-y plane and can be curved/bent in the z-direction.

[0068] In FIG. 5, it can be seen that a main link element 3 has a four-sided pyramid shape in plan view. Furthermore, the pyramid tip 9 with the side edges 8 can be seen and the side edges 8 end in the corners of a quadrangular base area. A view from below shows tetragons arranged in a row corresponding to the base area of the main link element 3. A base edge 10 of a first main link element 3 is adjacent to a base edge 10 of a second main link element 3. In such joining of the main link elements 3, four main link elements 3 are each connected to each other by a connection link element 4, provided that the connection link element 4 is located in the center of the medical product 1, in particular of the implant. A main link element 3, which is located in the center of the medical product 1, is in contact with four connection link elements 4. The formation of the arched elements 11 on the connection link elements 4 serves to overlap a respective base edge 10 of the adjacent/neighboring main link element.

[0069] The edge of the medical product of the second embodiment is preferably formed by main link elements 3.

[0070] FIG. 6 is a representation illustrating a three-dimensional main link element 3 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. The main link element 3 of the second embodiment is formed as a framework-like, elongated, quadrangular pyramid, hereinafter referred to as an enneahedron. In other words, it is a framework-like, quadrangular pyramid, wherein the four side edges 8 of the framework-like pyramid terminate in the corners of the quadrangular base area via a respective side edge 8a perpendicular to the bottom/lower side. The square base area is also framework-like and forms the four base edges 10.

[0071] FIG. 7 is a representation illustrating a connection link element 4 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. The connection link element 4 is in the form of a dome-shaped grid shell with at least four arched elements 11 at the base and correspondingly at least four oval, in particular face-shaped, recesses 6 in each case centrally between two adjacent arched elements 11, the lower edge of the recess 6 lying at the level of the apex of the arched elements 11.

[0072] In other words, the connection link element 4 of the second embodiment has a similar structure of a cross-ribbed dome with four arched elements 11 at the base, which each have an oval, in particular face-shaped, recess 6 as described above. This structure is also similar in shape and structure to a pavilion tent with four legs.

[0073] The edges and corners, as well as the tip 9 of the framework-like enneahedron of the main link element 3 shown in FIG. 6 and of the connection link element 4 shown in FIG. 7 are rounded. The main link element 3 according to the second embodiment is asymmetric in the z-direction and is only symmetric in the y-axis direction. The connection link element 3 is rotationally symmetrical and has symmetry starting from the x-axis and y-axis.

[0074] FIG. 6 is a partial view of the medical product 1 according to the second embodiment. It can be seen that a main link element 3 is in contact with four connection link elements 4. A side edge 8 of the main link element 3 shown passes through a recess 6 of the connection link element 4 in contact therewith. The arched elements 11 of the connection link element 4 serve to overlap a base edge 10 of the enneahedron.

[0075] When the medical product 1 is curved according to the first embodiments described above in the positive z-direction, i.e. in the case the curvature points in the direction of the upper side of the enneahedron, the distance between the side edges 8 of the adjacent enneahedra defining the respective upper side of the enneahedron increases and the distance between the base edges 10 of the adjacent triangles 7 defining the respective lower side of the enneahedron decreases. As soon as the base edges 8, which define the respective lower side of the enneahedron, touch, the maximum, predefined curvature is reached and the medical product 1 stiffens, or the main link elements 3 and connection link elements 4 interlock with each other such that no further movement is possible.

[0076] When the medical product 1 is curved according to the first embodiments described above in the negative z-direction, i.e. in the case the curvature points towards the lower side of the enneahedron, the distance between the side edges 8 of the enneahedron defining the respective upper side of the frusta of pyramids becomes smaller and the distance between the base edges 10 of the enneahedron defining the respective lower side of the enneahedron becomes larger. As soon as the side edges 8 of the enneahedron, which define the respective upper side of the enneahedron, touch, the maximum predefined curvature is reached and the medical product 1 stiffens, or the main link elements 3 and connection link elements 4 interlock with each other in such a way that no further movement is possible.

[0077] FIG. 9 is a representation of the medical product 1 according to a third embodiment. FIG. 9 is a representation of the medical product 1 according to a third embodiment. The shown medical product 1 shows a plurality of individual link elements 2, which are interconnected in such a way that individual link elements 2 adjacent to each other are interlinked. As in the first and second embodiment, these individual link elements 2 are also subdivided/split into main link elements 3 and connection link elements 4, which have a different geometry/shape with respect to each other.

[0078] The interlinking of the individual elements 2 or respectively the main link elements 3 and the connection link elements 4 shown in FIG. 9 creates a planar grid structure that lies in the x-y plane and can be curved/bent in the z-direction.

[0079] FIG. 9 shows that a main link element 3 is an irregular hexagon in plan view. The base edges 10 of the hexagonal base area of a main link element 3 face the base edges 10 of the adjacent main link element 3. In such joining of the main link elements 3, a main link element 3 is interconnected to six connection link elements 4, respectively, provided that the connection link element 4 is located in the center of the medical product 1, in particular of the implant. A connection link element 4 located in the center of the medical product 1 is in contact with three main link elements 3.

[0080] The edge of the medical product according to the second embodiment is preferably formed by connection link elements 4.

[0081] FIG. 10 is a representation illustrating a three-dimensional main link element 3 according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure. The main link element 3 has in each case a first base element 12 formed as an eyelet-shaped polygon, in particular a hexagon, which lies in a plane, and a second base element 13 formed as an eyelet-shaped polygon, in particular a hexagon, which extends over at least one plane. At the corners, the two base elements 12 and 13 are connected to each other via orthogonal side edges 8, in particular of different lengths, the base element 13 being the upper base element.

[0082] In other words, the third embodiment is two hexagons arranged one above the other, which are connected to each other with side edges 8 of different heights/lengths, and the side edges 8 are perpendicular to the lower base element 12. The upper base element 13 is adapted to the side edges 8 of different heights and therefore extends over several levels, in particular three levels.

[0083] According to the representation in FIG. 10, it is preferred if the shortest side edge 8 is arranged opposite the longest side edge 8 and the four remaining side edges 8 are of the same design, but smaller than the longest side edge 8 and longer than the shortest side edge 8.

[0084] FIG. 11 is a representation illustrating a three-dimensional connection link element 4 according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure. The connection link element 4 is formed by at least three arched elements 11 interconnected at the base. The interconnected arched elements 11 form an opening in the upward direction (positive z-direction), which is hereinafter referred to as recess 6. The interconnected bases of the three arched elements 11 each form a support leg 14. The at least three support legs 14 span a triangular base area and have a foot-like formation towards the outside.

[0085] The edges and corners are rounded, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. The main link element 3 is asymmetrical in the z-direction.

[0086] FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the medical product 1 according to the third embodiment. It can be seen that a main link element 3 is in contact with six connection link elements 4. Each side edge 8 of the main link element 3 shown is embraced by a connection link element 4 in contact therewith. The arched elements 11 of the connection link element 4 serve to reach over a base edge 10 of the main link element 3. In other words, the recess 6 of a connection link element 4 reaches around a side edge 8 of each of the three adjacent main link elements 3.

[0087] When the medical product 1 is curved according to the third embodiment described above in the positive z-direction, i.e. in the case where the curvature points in the direction of the upper base element 13 of the main link element 3, the distance between the base edges 10 of the adjacent hexagons defining the respective upper base element 13 of the main link element 3 becomes larger and the distance between the base edges 10 of the adjacent hexagons defining the respective lower base element 12 becomes smaller. As soon as the base edges 10 of the hexagons that define the respective lower base element 12 touch, the maximum predefined curvature is reached and the medical product 1 stiffens, or the main link elements 3 and connection link elements 4 interlock with each other in such a way that no further movement is possible.

[0088] When the medical product 1 is curved according to the first embodiments described above in the negative z-direction, i.e. in the case where the curvature points in the direction of the lower base element 12 of the main link element 3, the distance between the base edges 10 of the adjacent hexagons defining the respective lower base element 12 of the main link element 3 becomes smaller and the distance between the base edges 10 of the adjacent hexagons defining the respective lower base element 12 of the main link element 3 becomes larger. As soon as the base edges 10 of the hexagons defining the respective upper base element 13 of the main link element 3 touch, the maximum predefined curvature is reached and the medical product 1 stiffens, or the main link elements 3 and connection link elements 4 interlock with each other in such a way that no further movement is possible.

[0089] FIG. 13 is an embodiment of the medical product 1 according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a partial representation of the medical product 1 according to the fourth embodiment. The shown medical product 1 shows a plurality of individual link elements 2, which are interconnected in such a way that individual link elements 2 adjacent to each other are interlinked. According to the first and second embodiment, the individual link elements 2 are subdivided/split into main link elements 3 and connection link elements 4, which have a different geometry/shape with respect to each other.

[0090] The interlinking of the individual link elements 2 or respectively of the main link elements 3 and the connection link elements 4 shown in FIG. 13 creates a planar grid structure that lies in the x-y plane and can be bent in the z-direction.

[0091] In FIG. 13, the top view shows only pyramid-like tips 9, from which side edges 8 lead into the planar grid structure. If the medical product is viewed from the lower side, the same picture can be seen.

[0092] FIG. 14 is a representation illustrating a three-dimensional main link element 3 according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. The main link element is formed by connecting a first and a second central point 9 that are opposite to each other and are connected in a crown-like manner with at least four side edges 8 which are curved/arched outwards, in particular with at least two adjacent side edges 8 having a larger bulge 15 closer to the first central point 9 and with at least two further adjacent side edges 8 having a larger bulge 15 closer to the second central point 9. Thus, the bulges 15 are preferably not located in the center of the curved/arched side edges 8.

[0093] FIG. 15 is a representation illustrating a three-dimensional connection link element 4 according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. The connection link element 3 is formed by two framework-like, closed, quadrangular pyramids, which are connected to each other at the lower/bottom side to form a closed body.

[0094] In other words, the connection link element 4 of the fourth embodiment is a polyhedron formed by eight triangle faces, in particular equilateral triangle faces, with rounded corners and edges, and with a triangular recess 6 in each formed triangle face. This triangular recess 6 is preferably adapted in its shape to the triangle face. The borders of the triangular recesses 6 correspond to the side edges 8 described above. Four converging side edges 8 form a central point 9.

[0095] The corners and edges of the main link element 3 and connection link element 4 described above have rounded corners and edges. The main link element 3 according to FIG. 14 is again asymmetrical in the z-direction. The connection link element 4 as shown in FIG. 15 is symmetrical along the x, y and z axes and is also point-symmetrical.

[0096] FIG. 16 is a sectional view of the medical product 1 according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. It can be seen that a main link element 3 is in contact with four connection link elements 4. Each side edge 8 of the main link element 3 shown is guided by two adjacent recesses 6, one above the other, of a connection link element 4 in contact therewith.

[0097] When the medical product 1 is curved according to the third embodiment described above in the positive z-direction, i.e. in the case the curvature points towards the upper central point 9 of the main link element 3, the distance between the curved side edges 8 defining the respective upper side of the main link element 3 becomes larger and the distance between the curved side edges 8 defining the respective lower side of the main link element 3 becomes smaller. As soon as the side edges 8 of the main link elements 3, which define the respective lower side of the main link element 3, touch, the maximum, predefined curvature is reached and the medical product 1 stiffens, or the main link elements 3 and connection link elements 4 interlock with each other so that no further movement is possible.

[0098] When the medical product 1 is curved according to the third embodiment described above in the negative z-direction, i.e. in the case the curvature points towards the lower central point 9 of the main link element 3, the distance between the curved side edges 8 defining the respective upper side of the main link element 3 becomes smaller and the distance between the curved side edges 8 defining the respective lower side of the main link element 3 becomes larger. As soon as the side edges 8 of the main link elements 3, which define the respective lower side of the main link element 3, touch, the maximum, predefined curvature is reached and the medical product 1 stiffens, or the main link elements 3 and connection link elements 4 interlock with each other so that no further movement is possible.

[0099] In particular, any combination of the main link elements and connection link elements described above is conceivable.