METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING ARTIFICIAL CARTILAGE AND ARTIFICIAL CARTILAGE MANUFACTURED WITH THE METHOD

Abstract

The present invention includes two methods for manufacturing an artificial cartilage and two types of artificial cartilage manufactured thereby, one of the said artificial cartilages can be utilized through implanting surgery fixed into an individual natural joint of an individual, and the other into an artificial joint of an individual joint of an individual before or during implanting surgery. The present invention is invented based on JOINT-ELECTRICITY THEORY created by the present inventor. After the said artificial cartilage is implanted, it can effectively react to the intra-articular dynamic pressure to continuously cause piezoelectricity effect for continuously generating Joint-Electricity, and to generate a sufficient amount of Joint-Electricity during daily living, so as to reduce pain, improve muscular strength, and speed the recovery of active motion ability after surgery.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing an artificial cartilage, the method being for manufacturing an artificial cartilage that is to be implanted to an individual joint for an individual, the method comprising: making continuous measurement on the intra-articular pressure of the contralateral joint of the said individual joint during daily living for deciding the range of the said intra-articular pressure in order to make an estimation of the range of dynamic pressure inside the contralateral joint that acts on the joint-surface of the cartilage of the contralateral joint, and, based on the said range, making an estimation of the range of intra-articular dynamic pressure that acts on the joint-surface of the said artificial cartilage after the said artificial cartilage is implanted; making continuous measurement on the level of Joint-Electricity generated by the contralateral joint of the said individual joint during daily living for deciding the range of the said level, and, based on the said range, making an estimation of the range of the level of Joint-Electricity that is required to be generated by the said artificial cartilage after the said artificial cartilage is implanted into the said individual joint, the said range is simply called range of the level of Joint-Electricity required; searching and finding a piezoelectric material according to the said range of intra-articular dynamic pressure, and said range of the level of Joint-Electricity required, wherein the piezoelectric material has the material properties at least of: the range of piezoelectric reactivity of the said piezoelectric material must be wider than the said range of intra-articular dynamic pressure, and the range of the level of electricity the said piezoelectric material generates under the said range of intra-articular dynamic pressure must be wider than the said range of the level of Joint-Electricity required; and forming the said individual artificial cartilage of the said individual joint with the said piezoelectric material.

2. The method for manufacturing the artificial cartilage according to claim 1, wherein a method for forming the individual artificial cartilage for the said individual joint with the said piezoelectric material includes, the said piezoelectric material being formed into the said artificial cartilage having the individualized shape of the said individual artificial cartilage according to the structure, shape, and size of the said individual joint, wherein the said individualized shape of the said artificial cartilage has a smooth joint-surface, and wherein, the said smooth joint-surface is further made to be extremely smooth as of nanometer scale.

3. The method for manufacturing the artificial cartilage according to claim 2, wherein a method for forming the individual artificial cartilage for the said individual joint includes making the said piezoelectric material into the fibers having a diameter of nanometer size, and forming the said fibers into an artificial cartilage having the individualized shape of the said individual artificial cartilage according to the structure, shape, and size of the said individual joint, wherein the said individualized shape of the said artificial cartilage has a smooth joint-surface, and wherein, the said smooth joint-surface has become extremely smooth as of nanometer scale.

4. The method for manufacturing the artificial cartilage according to claim 2, wherein the method for forming the individual artificial cartilage for the said individual joint includes forming the said piezoelectric material into an artificial cartilage having the individualized shape of the said individual artificial cartilage according to the structure, shape, and size of the said individual joint, wherein the said individualized shape of the said artificial cartilage has a smooth joint-surface, and then the said smooth joint-surface being further coated with the said piezoelectric material that has been processed to be of nanometer size for making the said joint-surface extremely smooth as of nanometer scale.

5. The method for manufacturing the artificial cartilage according to claim 2, wherein the method for forming the said individual artificial cartilage for the said individual joint includes forming the said piezoelectric material into an artificial cartilage having the individualized shape of the said individual artificial cartilage according to the structure, shape, and size of the said individual joint, wherein the said individualized shape of the said artificial cartilage has a smooth joint-surface, and then the said smooth joint-surface being further coated with the said piezoelectric material that has been processed to be of nanometer size for making the said joint-surface extremely smooth as of nanometer scale.

6. An artificial cartilage, the said artificial cartilage being manufactured with the method according to claim 1.

7. An artificial cartilage, the said artificial cartilage being manufactured with the method according to claim 2.

8. A method for manufacturing an artificial cartilage, the said method being for manufacturing an artificial cartilage that is to be implanted or fixed to an individual artificial joint of an individual joint for an individual, the method comprising: making continuous measurement on the intra-articular pressure of the contralateral joint of the said individual joint during daily living for a range of the said intra-articular pressure in order to make an estimation of a range of dynamic pressure inside the said contralateral joint that acts on the joint-surface of cartilage of the said contralateral joint, based on the said range, making an estimation of a range of intra-articular dynamic pressure that acts on the joint-surface of the said individual artificial cartilage after the said individual artificial cartilage has been implanted to the said individual joint, and applying a force transmission correction parameter to correct the said range of intra-articular dynamic pressure to obtain a corrected range of intra-articular dynamic pressure, which is the estimation of the range of dynamic pressure inside the said individual artificial joint that acts on the joint-surface of the said artificial cartilage after the said artificial joint is implanted, wherein the force transmission correction parameter is determined according to the structure and material of the said individual artificial joint; making continuous measurement on the level of Joint-Electricity generated by the contralateral joint of the said individual joint during daily living for a range of the said level, and, based on the said range, making an estimation of a range of the level of Joint-Electricity required to be generated by the said individual joint after the said individual artificial cartilage is implanted into the said individual artificial joint, wherein the said range is simply called range of the level of Joint-Electricity required; searching and finding a piezoelectric material according to the said corrected range of intra-articular dynamic pressure and said range of the level of Joint-Electricity required of the said individual joint, wherein the piezoelectric material has the material properties at least of: the range of piezoelectric reactivity of the said piezoelectric material must be wider than the said corrected range of intra-articular dynamic pressure, and the range of the level of electricity generated by the said piezoelectric material under the said corrected range of intra-articular dynamic pressure must be wider than the said range of the level of Joint-Electricity required; and forming the said individual artificial cartilage of the said individual artificial joint for the said individual joint of the said individual with the said piezoelectric material.

9. The method for manufacturing the artificial cartilage according to claim 8, wherein a method for forming the artificial cartilage for an individual artificial joint of an individual joint for an individual includes, the said piezoelectric material being formed into the said individual artificial cartilage having the individualized shape of the said individual artificial cartilage according to the structure, shape, and size of the said individual artificial joint of the said individual joint, wherein, the said individualized shape of the said artificial cartilage has a smooth joint-surface, and wherein, the said smooth joint-surface is further made to be extremely smooth as of nanometer scale.

10. The method for manufacturing the artificial cartilage according to claim 9, wherein the method for forming the artificial cartilage for an individual artificial joint of an individual joint for an individual includes processing the said piezoelectric material into the fibers having a diameter of nanometer size, and forming the said fibers into the said artificial cartilage having the individualized shape of the said individual artificial cartilage according to the structure, shape, and size of the said individual artificial joint, wherein the said individualized shape of the said artificial cartilage has a smooth joint-surface, and through this method, an extremely smooth joint-surface as of nanometer scale is also obtained.

11. The method for manufacturing the artificial cartilage according to claim 9, wherein the method for forming an artificial cartilage for an individual artificial joint of an individual joint for an individual includes forming the said piezoelectric material into the artificial cartilage having the individualized shape of the said individual artificial cartilage according to the structure, shape, and size of the said individual artificial joint, wherein the said individualized shape of the said artificial cartilage has a smooth joint-surface, and further coating the said piezoelectric material that has been made to be of nanometer size on the said smooth joint-surface in order to have it as smooth as of nanometer scale.

12. The method for manufacturing the artificial cartilage according to claim 9, wherein the method for forming the artificial cartilage for an individual artificial joint of an individual joint for an individual includes processing the said piezoelectric material into the particles of nanometer size, and forming the said particles into an artificial cartilage having the individualized shape of the said individual artificial cartilage according to the structure, shape, and size of the said individual artificial joint, wherein the said individualized shape of the said artificial cartilage has a smooth joint-surface, and wherein, the said process has made the said smooth joint-surface as smooth as of nanometer scale.

13. The method for manufacturing the artificial cartilage according to claim 9, wherein the method for forming the artificial cartilage for an individual artificial joint of an individual joint for an individual includes making the said piezoelectric material to be of nanometer size, and carrying out coating with the said nanometer-size material in multiple layers on a primary joint-surface of the said individual artificial joint to form the individualized shape of the said artificial cartilage according to the structure, shape, and size of the said individual artificial joint, wherein the said individualized shape of the artificial cartilage has a smooth joint-surface, wherein, the said process has simultaneously made an extremely smooth joint-surface as of nanometer scale, and wherein, primary joint-surface as used herein refers to surfaces in an artificial joint that are moved toward each other during joint motion.

14. An artificial cartilage, the said artificial cartilage being manufactured with the method according to claim 8.

15. An artificial cartilage, the said artificial cartilage being manufactured with the method according to claim 9.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the sagittal plane of a natural joint and cartilage of a human body;

[0049] FIG. 2A is a flow chart of the first method for manufacturing an artificial cartilage according to the present invention;

[0050] FIG. 2B is showing multiple embodiments of the methods of forming the said artificial cartilage in the first method for manufacturing an artificial cartilage according to the present invention;

[0051] FIG. 2C is a flow chart of the second method for manufacturing an artificial cartilage according to the present invention;

[0052] FIG. 2D is showing multiple embodiments of the methods of forming the said artificial cartilage in the second method for manufacturing an artificial cartilage according to the present invention;

[0053] FIG. 3A is a schematic view showing the sagittal plane of an embodiment of the artificial cartilage manufactured by the first method at after it is implanted to a human natural joint;

[0054] FIG. 3B is a schematic view showing the sagittal plane of an embodiment of the artificial cartilage manufactured by the second method at after it is implanted to an individual artificial joint of an individual joint;

[0055] FIG. 4A is a schematic view showing the sagittal plane of an artificial cartilage formed according to method N41a of FIG. 2B that follows FIG. 2A in the method for manufacturing an artificial cartilage according to the present invention;

[0056] FIG. 4B is a schematic view showing the sagittal plane of an artificial cartilage formed according to method N41b of FIG. 2B that follows FIG. 2A in the method for manufacturing an artificial cartilage according to the present invention;

[0057] FIG. 4C is a schematic view showing the sagittal plane of an artificial cartilage formed according to method N41c of FIG. 2B that follows FIG. 2A in the method for manufacturing an artificial cartilage according to the present invention;

[0058] FIG. 5A is a schematic view showing the sagittal plane of an artificial cartilage formed according to method A41a of FIG. 2D that follows FIG. 2C in the method for manufacturing an artificial cartilage according to the present invention;

[0059] FIG. 5B is a schematic view showing the sagittal plane of an artificial cartilage formed according to method A41b of FIG. 2D that follows FIG. 2C in the method for manufacturing an artificial cartilage according to the present invention;

[0060] FIG. 5C is a schematic view showing the sagittal plane of an artificial cartilage formed according to method A41c of FIG. 2D that follows FIG. 2C in the method for manufacturing an artificial cartilage according to the present invention; and

[0061] FIG. 5D is a schematic view showing the sagittal plane of an artificial cartilage formed according to method A41d of FIG. 2D that follows FIG. 2C in the method for manufacturing an artificial cartilage according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0062] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 2A-5D. The description is not made to limit the way of embodying the present invention, and is rather provided as an example of embodying the present invention.

[0063] Firstly, referring to FIG. 2A, the drawing is a flow chart of a first method for manufacturing an artificial cartilage that is to be utilized through implanting into an individual joint (a natural individual joint) according to the present invention.

[0064] First, Method N1a and Method N1b are performed, and the sequence of performing the two is not specified.

[0065] Method N1a is described in the following: making continuous measurement on the intra-articular pressure of the contralateral joint of the said individual joint during daily living for deciding the range of it in order to make an estimation of the range of dynamic pressure inside the contralateral joint that acts on the joint-surface of the cartilage of the contralateral joint, and, based on the said range, making an estimation of the range of intra-articular dynamic pressure that acts on the joint-surface of the said artificial cartilage after it is implanted; (the method of the previous step being performed without any particular order in relation to the method of the next step).

[0066] In the embodiment, a method for making the estimation of the range of intra-articulate dynamic pressure that acts on the joint-surface of the artificial cartilage after the surgery also includes the increase of the said range resulting from the improvement of the motion ability of the joint due to the implantation of the artificial cartilage of the present invention in the said individual joint.

[0067] Method N1b is described in the following: making continuous measurement on the level of Joint-Electricity generated by the contralateral joint of the said individual joint during daily living for deciding the range of it, and, based on the said range, making an estimation of the range of the level of Joint-Electricity that is required to be generated by the said artificial cartilage after it is implanted into the said individual joint, the said range is simply called range of the level of Joint-Electricity required.

[0068] In the embodiment, a method for making the estimation of the range of the level of Joint-Electricity required for the said individual joint also includes the increase of the said range resulting from the improvement of the motion ability of the joint due to the implantation of the artificial cartilage of the present invention in the said individual joint.

[0069] In the above method, the said continuous measurement is made during daily living, wherein, the said daily living is defined including the activities lightest to heaviest performed by the said individual, such as resting, (or, sleeping), general daily living activities, and the heaviest sport that the individual can perform at the time deciding to manufacture the said artificial cartilage.

[0070] Method N3 is next performed, and the method is as following: searching and finding a piezoelectric material according to the said range of intra-articular dynamic pressure, and said range of the level of Joint-Electricity required, wherein the piezoelectric material has the material properties at least of: the range of piezoelectric reactivity of the said piezoelectric material must be wider than the said range of intra-articular dynamic pressure, and the range of the level of electricity the said piezoelectric material generates under the said range of intra-articular dynamic pressure must be wider than the said range of the level of Joint-Electricity required.

[0071] The term range of piezoelectric reactivity of a piezoelectric material as used herein refers to a range of dynamic pressure that the piezoelectric material would react to it to cause piezoelectricity effect.

[0072] More essentially, the piezoelectric material that is so found and meets the above requirement must be also having the material property of biocompatibility, so that the artificial cartilage does not cause harm to the human body and will not be rejected by the human body. The material property of biocompatibility is an essential requirement for all medical or bioengineering devices implanted into the human body. This method is known in the related art, and thus, is not created by the present invention.

[0073] Then, Method N4 is performed: forming said individual artificial cartilage of the said individual joint with the said piezoelectric material.

[0074] In the present invention, the said individual artificial cartilage is manufactured following the measurements and estimations of the data those are related to the said individual joint of an individual. Thus, the said individual artificial cartilage is manufactured aiming the said individual joint for the said individual, and being based on the said individual joint for the said individual.

[0075] Referring to FIG. 2B, the artificial cartilage forming method N4 has the embodiment N41: the method for forming the said artificial cartilage with the said piezoelectric material includes, the said piezoelectric material is formed into the said artificial cartilage having the individualized shape of the said individual artificial cartilage according to the structure, shape, and size of the said individual joint, wherein the said individualized shape of the said artificial cartilage has a smooth joint-surface, and wherein, the said smooth joint-surface is further made to be extremely smooth as of nanometer scale.

[0076] The structure and shape of the individual joint as mentioned above also include the structure and shape of the individual joint obtained after the repair and/or correcting during surgery.

[0077] The said individualized shape of the individual artificial cartilage according to the structure and shape of the individual joint of the individual as mentioned above is for the purpose of having the artificial cartilage not interfering with every part of the artificial cartilage receiving a dynamic pressure in a correct direction and a normal range after the artificial cartilage of the present invention has been implanted in the individual joint with the proper surgery. The said proper surgery has been defined in paragraph [0016].

[0078] The joint-surface of nanometer scale as mentioned above helps reduce potential mechanical abrasion inside the joint, allowing the artificial cartilage not to easily wear out during use thereof.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 2B, the artificial cartilage forming method N41 can be Method N41a: making the said piezoelectric material into the fibers 21 having a diameter of nanometer size, and forming the said fibers 21 into an artificial cartilage having the individualized shape of the said individual artificial cartilage according to the structure, shape, and size of the said individual joint, wherein the said individualized shape of the said artificial cartilage has a smooth joint-surface, and wherein, the said smooth joint-surface has become extremely smooth as of nanometer scale. The artificial cartilage 2A so manufactured is schematically illustrated in its sagittal plane in FIG. 4A, and the artificial cartilage 2A has a joint-surface S as smooth as of nanometer scale.

[0080] Optionally, as shown in FIG. 2B, the artificial cartilage forming method N41 can be Method N41b: forming the said piezoelectric material into an artificial cartilage having the individualized shape of the said individual artificial cartilage according to the structure, shape, and size of the said individual joint, wherein the said individualized shape of the said artificial cartilage has a smooth joint-surface, and then the said smooth joint-surface is further coated with the said piezoelectric material that has been processed to be of nanometer size for making the said joint-surface extremely smooth as of nanometer scale. The artificial cartilage 2B so manufactured is schematically illustrated in the sagittal plane in FIG. 4B, and the artificial cartilage 2B has a joint-surface S as smooth as of nanometer scale.

[0081] Optionally, as shown in FIG. 2B, the artificial cartilage forming method N41c can alternatively include Method N41c: processing the said piezoelectric material into the particles of nanometer size, and forming the said particles into an artificial cartilage having the individualized shape of the said individual artificial cartilage according to the structure, shape, and size of the said individual joint, wherein the said individualized shape of the said artificial cartilage has a smooth joint-surface, and wherein, the said smooth joint-surface after this method has become extremely smooth as of nanometer scale. The artificial cartilage 2C so manufactured is schematically illustrated in the sagittal plane in FIG. 4C, and the artificial cartilage 2C has a joint-surface S as smooth as of nanometer scale.

[0082] The present invention also claimed an artificial cartilage, which is manufactured by the method described above (as shown in the methods described in FIGS. 2A and 2B) and is referred to as the first method of manufacturing an artificial cartilage of the present invention. The said artificial cartilage is that can be utilized through implanting into an individual natural joint.

[0083] In the present invention, the said individual artificial cartilage is manufactured following the measurements and estimations of the data those are related to the said individual joint. Thus, the individual artificial cartilage is manufactured aiming the said individual joint, and based on the said individual joint.

[0084] Wherein, the method for utilizing the said artificial cartilage is through implanting surgery, especially the proper surgery that has been described in [0016]. The so-called proper surgery is known to surgeons skilled in artificial cartilage implanting surgery, and is not included in the scope of patent protection of the present invention.

[0085] The artificial cartilage 1A so manufactured can be utilized to implant, through surgery, into an individual natural joint of an individual, as shown in FIG. 3A. After implantation, the artificial cartilage could continuously generate a sufficient amount of Joint-Electricity, similar to a healthy cartilage.

[0086] However, FIG. 3A is a schematic view showing one individual natural joint only. The said individual joint is not limited to any specific joint. The artificial cartilage of the present invention can be any individual cartilage suit to an individual joint of an individual.

[0087] Referring to FIG. 2C, the drawing is a flow chart of the second method for manufacturing an artificial cartilage according to the present invention. The method is for manufacturing an individual artificial cartilage for an individual artificial joint of an individual joint of an individual that can be utilized through implanting or fixing to the said individual artificial joint for the said individual joint of the said individual.

[0088] First, Method A1a and Method A1b are performed, and it is possible to first perform Method A1a and then perform Method A1b; or alternatively, Method A1b is performed first and then Method A1a is performed.

[0089] Ala is described in the following: making continuous measurement on the intra-articular pressure of the contralateral joint of the said individual joint during daily living for a range of it in order to make an estimation of a range of dynamic pressure inside the said contralateral joint that acts on the joint-surface of cartilage of the said contralateral joint, based on the said range, making an estimation of a range of intra-articular dynamic pressure that acts on the joint-surface of the said artificial cartilage after it has been implanted to the said individual artificial joint, and applying a force transmission correction parameter to correct the said range of intra-articular dynamic pressure to obtain a corrected range of intra-articular dynamic pressure, which is the estimation of the range of dynamic pressure inside the said individual artificial joint that acts on the joint-surface of the said artificial cartilage after the said artificial joint is implanted into the site of the said individual joint of the said individual.

[0090] In the above method, the force transmission correction parameter is determined according to the structure and material of the said individual artificial joint of the said individual joint of the said individual. This is because the structure of the artificial joint includes metal and plastics and would affect the transmission rate of force, and would also affect the range of dynamic pressure inside the artificial joint. The said correction parameter must be calculated according to different structure and material of each different artificial joint, and such a calculation method is known to those skilled in the art.

[0091] In the embodiment, the method for making the estimation of the range of intra-articulate dynamic pressure that acts on the joint-surface of the artificial cartilage of the said individual joint also includes the increase of the said range resulting from the improvement of the motion ability of the joint due to the implantation of the artificial joint that has an artificial cartilage of the present invention manufactured for the said individual joint.

[0092] A method of performing Method A1b is: making continuous measurement on the level of Joint-Electricity generated by the contralateral joint of the said individual joint during daily living for a range of it, and, based on the said range, making an estimation of a range of the level of Joint-Electricity required to be generated by the said individual joint after the said individual artificial cartilage is implanted into the said individual artificial joint through a surgery, the said range is simply called range of the level of Joint-Electricity required. Method A1b is similar to Method N1b.

[0093] In the embodiment, a method for making the estimation of the range of the level of Joint-Electricity required for the said individual joint also includes the increase of the said range resulting from the improvement of the motion ability of the said individual joint due to the implantation of the artificial joint that has an artificial cartilage of the present invention manufactured for the said individual joint.

[0094] In the above method, the said continuous measurement is made during daily living, wherein, the said daily living is defined including the activities lightest to heaviest performed by the said individual, such as resting, (or, sleeping), general daily living activities, and the heaviest sport that the individual can perform at the time deciding to manufacture the said artificial cartilage.

[0095] Next, Method A3 is performed: searching and finding a piezoelectric material according to the said corrected range of intra-articular dynamic pressure and said range of the level of Joint-Electricity required of the said individual joint, wherein the piezoelectric material has the material properties at least of: the range of piezoelectric reactivity of the said piezoelectric material must be wider than the said corrected range of intra-articular dynamic pressure, and the range of the level of the electricity the said piezoelectric material generates under the said corrected range of intra-articular dynamic pressure must be wider than the said range of the level of Joint-Electricity required.

[0096] More essentially, the piezoelectric material that is so found and meets the above requirement must be a biocompatible material, so that the artificial cartilage does not cause harm to the human body and will not be rejected by the human body. The material property of biocompatibility is essential for all medical or bioengineering devices that are implanted into the human body. And thus, the requirement of the material property of biocompatibility for making an artificial cartilage is known in the related art, and is not invented by the present invention.

[0097] Then, Method A4 is performed: forming the said individual artificial cartilage of the said individual artificial joint for the said individual joint of the said individual with the said piezoelectric material.

[0098] In the present invention, the said individual artificial cartilage is manufactured following the measurements and estimations of the data those are related to the said individual artificial joint of an individual joint. Thus, the said individual artificial cartilage is manufactured aiming the said individual artificial joint for the said individual joint, and being based on the said individual artificial joint for the said individual joint.

[0099] Referring to FIG. 2D, the artificial cartilage forming method A4 can be Method A41: the artificial cartilage forming method A41 includes, the said piezoelectric material is formed into the said individual artificial cartilage having the individualized shape of the said individual artificial cartilage according to the structure, shape, and size of the said individual artificial joint of the said individual joint, wherein, the said individualized shape of the said artificial cartilage has a smooth joint-surface, and wherein, the said smooth joint-surface is further made to be extremely smooth as of nanometer scale.

[0100] Forming the said artificial cartilage according to the structure and shape of the artificial joint of the individual joint of the individual and the size of the individual artificial joint as mentioned above is for the purpose of having the artificial cartilage not interfering with every part of the artificial cartilage receiving a dynamic pressure in a correct direction and a normal range after the artificial cartilage has been implanted in the artificial joint with the proper surgery, which has been defined in paragraph [0016].

[0101] The joint-surface as smooth as of nanometer scale as mentioned above helps reduce potential mechanical abrasion inside the joint, allowing the artificial cartilage not to easily wear out during use thereof.

[0102] Optionally, the forming method A41 for the artificial cartilage of an individual artificial joint for an individual joint of an individual according to the present invention can be Method A41a: processing the said piezoelectric material into the fibers having a diameter of nanometer size, and forming the said fibers into the said artificial cartilage having the individualized shape of the said individual artificial cartilage according to the structure, shape, and size of the said individual artificial joint, wherein the said individualized shape of the said artificial cartilage has a smooth joint-surface, and through this method, an extremely smooth joint-surface is obtained. The artificial cartilages 3A1, and 3A2 so manufactured are schematically illustrated in sagittal plane in FIG. 5A, and the artificial cartilages 3A1, and, 3A1, each have a joint-surface SB, and, SC, as smooth as of nanometer scale, respectively.

[0103] Optionally, the forming method A41 for the artificial cartilage of an individual artificial joint for an individual joint of an individual according to the present invention can be Method A41b: forming the said piezoelectric material into the artificial cartilage having the individualized shape of the said individual artificial cartilage according to the structure, shape, and size of the said individual artificial joint, wherein the said individualized shape of the said artificial cartilage has a smooth joint-surface, and further coating the said piezoelectric material that has been made to be of nanometer size on the said smooth joint-surface in order to have it as smooth as of nanometer scale. The artificial cartilages 3B1, 3B2 so manufactured are schematically illustrated in FIG. 5B, and the artificial cartilages 3B1, 3B2 each have their joint-surfaces SB, and SC extremely smooth as of nanometer scale.

[0104] Optionally, the forming method A41 for the said artificial cartilage of an individual artificial joint for an individual according to the present invention can be Method A41c: processing the said piezoelectric material into the particles of nanometer size, and forming the said particles into an artificial cartilage having the individualized shape of the said individual artificial cartilage according to the structure, shape, and size of the said individual artificial joint, wherein the said individualized shape of the said artificial cartilage has a smooth joint-surface, and wherein, the said process has made the said smooth joint-surface as smooth as of nanometer scale. The artificial cartilages 3C1, 3C2 so manufactured are schematically illustrated in FIG. 5C, and the artificial cartilages 3C1, 3C2 each have a joint-surface SB, and SC as smooth as of nanometer scale.

[0105] Optionally, the forming method A41 for the artificial cartilage of an individual artificial joint for an individual according to the present invention can be Method A41d: making the said piezoelectric material to be of nanometer size, and carrying out coating with the said nanometer-size material in multiple layers on a primary joint-surface of the said individual artificial joint to form the individualized shape of the said artificial cartilage according to the structure, shape, and size of the said individual artificial joint, wherein the said individualized shape of the artificial cartilage has a smooth joint-surface. Wherein, the said process has simultaneously made an extremely smooth joint-surface as of nanometer scale, SB, and SC, forming the said artificial cartilage in its own individualized shape, and fixing the said artificial cartilage to the said individual artificial joint. This method can only be applied before the surgery of implanting the artificial joint.

[0106] The term of primary joint-surface S0B, or S0C as used herein refers to surfaces that are moved toward each other during joint motion in an artificial joint or a site of an end of a bone in a natural joint to which a cartilage is connected to or an artificial cartilage is fixed to. However, the primary joint-surface of an artificial joint can be different from that of a natural joint in shape.

[0107] The artificial cartilage manufactured and formed according to Method A41d is applied, as illustrated in the artificial cartilage examples 3D1, 3D2 shown in FIG. 5D, to coating on primary joint-surfaces S0B, S0C. However, the artificial joint shown in FIG. 5D can be of the shapes of all types of artificial joint.

[0108] The artificial cartilage according to the present invention is not limited to application to a specific cartilage of any specific joint or an artificial joint of any specific shape, but must follow an individual artificial joint of an individual joint.

[0109] Since forming the said artificial cartilage has been based on the structure, shape, and size of the individual artificial joint for the individual joint to have an individualized shape that fits to the said individual artificial joint of the said individual joint, so as not to interfere with the artificial cartilage receiving a range of intra-articular dynamic pressure in a correct direction and a normal range after proper surgery and to generate a sufficient amount of Joint-Electricity.

[0110] The present invention also provides a second type of artificial cartilage, which is manufactured with the second method for manufacturing an artificial cartilage to be utilized in an individual artificial joint of an individual joint of an individual. It is made according to the present invention, namely being manufactured with the methods shown in FIGS. 2C and 2D. The steps of manufacturing are shown in FIG. 2C, which is followed by Method of A41, or A41a, or A41b, or A41c, or A41d to manufacture the said artificial cartilage. The examples 1B, and 1C in FIG. 3B, or 3A1, and 3A2 in FIG. 5A, or, 3B1, and 3B2 in FIG. 5B, or 3C1 and 3C2 in FIG. 5C, or 3D1, and 3D2 in FIG. 5D. Other than that showing in FIG. 5D, they can be fixed to the said artificial joint before surgery or can be implanted in an artificial joint AJ of an individual joint during surgery.

[0111] The way of using the artificial cartilage of the present invention in an artificial joint is carrying out implantation in an artificial joint of an individual joint with proper surgery described in paragraph [0016]. Except the artificial cartilage that is manufactured with the method of A41d, which must be formed on the individual artificial joint before surgery, the artificial cartilage that is formed with other examples of manufacturing method, such as A41, A41a, A41b, A41c can be fixed to an individual artificial joint before surgery and can also be fixed to the artificial joint during surgery. The term surgery as used here refers to a surgical operation of implanting of an individual artificial joint. The term proper surgery as used here refers to that known to the surgeons who are familiar with artificial cartilage implanting surgery or artificial joint implanting surgery and is not included in the scope of patent protection of the present invention.

[0112] In summary of the embodiments described above, based on Joint-Electricity THEORY created by the present inventor, the present invention discloses, in this application, two methods for manufacturing an artificial cartilage and two types of artificial cartilage manufactured with each of the said two methods. In the manufacturing method according to the present invention, the range of piezoelectric reactivity of the artificial cartilage is made of a piezoelectric material that is determined according to an estimation of the range of the intra-articular dynamic pressure of the individual joint to be implanted, and the said piezoelectric material has a range of the level of the electricity generated under the said range of intra-articular dynamic pressure being wider than the range of the level of Joint-Electricity required to be generated by the said individual joint after the implanting surgery. Thus, the artificial cartilage manufactured with the said method, and the artificial joint that is equipped with the said artificial cartilage, during their usage (after the implanting surgery) could persistently and effectively reflect the dynamic pressure in the said individual joint to continuously cause a piezoelectricity effect in order to persistently generate Joint-Electricity, and the level of Joint-Electricity so generated meets the need of the joint of the individual.

[0113] The individual artificial cartilage manufactured according to the present invention, for that to be utilized in implanting into an individual natural joint and that an individual artificial joint of an individual joint, after implantation, both continuously generate a sufficient amount of Joint-Electricity in daily living, and thus, may help improve the situation of pain of the joint, muscle strength, and speed the recovery of active motion ability following the surgery. Joint-Electricity generated by the artificial cartilage may also help extend the service life of an artificial cartilage or an artificial joint.

[0114] In summary, the above provides just preferred, and feasible, embodiments of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of patent protection of the present invention. Equivalent increases made according to the contents of the specification and drawings of the present invention are regarded as being included in the scope of patent protection of the present invention.