CHARCOT TRABECULAR SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LIMB SALVAGE SURGERY

Abstract

A Charcot trabecular system and method is provided. The Charcot trabecular system embodies a threaded bolt-like fastener, wherein a middle portion of the shank of the systemic fastener is made of a porous material, while the remaining portions of the systemic fastener denser provides a denser material. The porous shank portion may be made of material dimensioned and adapted to pass blood and particulate bone matter therethrough. As a result, in use when connecting bones together, the denser material provides for stabilization and structural support to the associated damaged joint, while the porous shank facilitates optimal bone healing via boney ingrowth and bone ongrowth through and around the implanted systemic fastener.

Claims

1. A Charcot trabecular systemic implant, comprising: a fastener extending from a head end to a tip end; a porous shank interconnecting the head end and the tip end; the porous shank made from a porous material dimensioned to pass blood and particulate bone matter therethrough; and the head and tip ends made from a dense material denser than the porous shank.

2. The Charcot trabecular systemic implant of claim 1, wherein the dense material is titanium, tantalum, or a combination thereof.

3. The Charcot trabecular systemic implant of claim 2, further comprising: a tip circumferential threading disposed between the porous shank and a distal end of the tip end; and a head circumferential threading disposed between the porous shank and a distal end of the head end.

4. A method for promoting bony ingress in the foot and ankle bones during limb salvage surgery, comprising: providing the Charcot trabecular systemic implant of claim 1; and implanting the Charcot trabecular systemic implant into one or more foot, leg, and/or ankle bones of a patient so as to provide load-bearing stability to associated joints.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the Charcot trabecular systemic implant is generally coplanar with at least one of the one or more foot, leg, and/or ankle bones so as to corrects foot and ankle deformities.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the porous shank is generally fully embedded in said at least one of the one or more foot, leg, and/or ankle bones.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0012] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, shown in use;

[0013] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2; and

[0014] FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

[0016] Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a Charcot trabecular system embodying a threaded bolt-like fastener, wherein a middle portion of the shank of the systemic fastener is made of a porous material, while the remaining portions of the systemic fastener denser provides a denser material. The porous shank portion may be made of material dimensioned and adapted to pass blood and particulate bone matter therethrough. As a result, in use when connecting bones together, the denser material provides for stabilization and structural support to the associated damaged joint, while the porous shank facilitates optimal bone healing via boney ingrowth and bone ongrowth through and around the implanted systemic fastener.

[0017] Referring now to FIG. 1, the present invention may include a Charcot trabecular system embodying a threaded bolt-like partially porous fastener 10. The systemic fastener 10 may extend from a head end 16 to a tip end 18. Disposed between the tip end 18 and the head end 16 may be porous shank 12. Between the porous shank 12 and the head end 16 and the tip end 18 may be threaded shanks 14. The systemic fastener 10, except for the porous shank 12, may be made of Titanium Ti64, Tantalum, a combination thereof, or a suitably strong and dense material or alloy compatible with human blood and tissue. The porous shank 12 may be made of a strong sponge-like porous material capable of withstanding the stresses incurred by repaired joints during use while allowing blood and particulate bone matter to pass there through.

[0018] The present invention may be manufactured using integrated computational adaptive additive manufacturing (iCAAM) process, a software-based process designed to manufacture high integrity parts. Through this manufacturing process the Ti64 or Tantalum may be deposited in a solid, dense condition at either or both ends of the sponge configured porous shank 12. The portion of the denser material may be threaded adjacent to the porous shank 12 to allow connection into bone during implantation.

[0019] Referring to FIGS. 2 through 4, a method of using the present invention may include the following. The systemic fastener 10 disclosed above may be provided. A surgeon during complex foot and ankle reconstruction may implant the systemic fastener 10 into a foot, leg, and/or ankle bone 22 of a patient 20, optimizing bone healing via bony ingrowth and ongrowth through and around the implanted systemic fastener 10, which also provides strength and support to a damaged joint. The systemic fastener 10 may be used in conjunction with pre-existing bone and joint strengthening and stabilizing fasteners 24, such as screws.

[0020] It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.