Mechanophoric Medical Product

Abstract

A medical product which contains a mechanophore, and the use of a mechanophore for producing a medical product.

Claims

1.-17. (canceled)

18. A medical product containing a mechanophore.

19. The medical product as claimed in claim 18, characterized in that the mechanophore is a component of a mixture or composition of the medical product.

20. The medical product as claimed in claim 18, characterized in that the medical product, in particular the mixture or composition, further contains a polymer.

21. The medical product as claimed in claim 20, characterized in that the polymer is selected from the group comprising polyolefins, polyethylene (PE), ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinyl fluoride, polyvinylidene fluoride, polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE), polystyrene, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyacrylic acid or polyacrylate, polymethacrylic acid or polymethacrylate, polymethylmethacrylic acid or polymethyl methacrylate, polydimethylsiloxane, polyurethanes, amorphous polymers, elastomers, thermoplastic elastomers, polypropylene, polytetrafluoropropylene, polyhexafluoropropylene, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, polyester, polyethylene terephthalic acid or polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene terephthalic acid or polypropylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalic acid or polybutylene terephthalate, polyhydroxyalkanoic acids or polyhydroxyalkanoates, polylactic acid or polylactide, polyglycolic acid or polyglycolide, polyhydroxybutyric acid or polyhydroxybutyrate, poly-3-hydroxybutyric acid or poly-3-hydroxybutyrate, poly-4-hydroxybutyric acid or poly-4-hydroxybutyrate, polytrimethylene carbonate, poly--caprolactone, poly-para-dioxanone, copolymers and mixtures, in particular blends, thereof.

22. The medical product as claimed in claim 20, characterized in that the mechanophore is not covalently linked to the polymer.

23. The medical product as claimed in claim 18, characterized in that the mechanophore is a mechanochromic compound, wherein when undergoing stress the compound undergoes a color-producing or color-changing structural change.

24. The medical product as claimed in claim 23, characterized in that the structural change is accompanied by ring opening of the mechanophore.

25. The medical product as claimed in claim 23, characterized in that the structural change is reversible, in particular under the action of light, preferably UV light.

26. The medical product as claimed in claim 18, characterized in that the mechanophore is selected from the group comprising pyrans, oxazines, fulgides, fulgimides, diarylethylenes, dimeric lactones, dimeric imidazoles and mixtures thereof.

27. The medical product as claimed in claim 18, characterized in that the medical product is an implant, implant part or medical, in particular surgical, instrument.

28. The medical product as claimed in claim 27, characterized in that the implant is a joint prosthesis.

29. The medical product as claimed in claim 27, characterized in that the implant part is a part of a joint prosthesis.

30. The medical product as claimed in claim 28, characterized in that the joint prosthesis is selected from the group comprising knee joint prosthesis, hip joint prosthesis, ankle joint prosthesis, shoulder joint prosthesis, mandibular joint prosthesis, elbow joint prosthesis, finger joint prosthesis and spinal facet prosthesis.

31. The medical product as claimed in claim 18, characterized in that the medical product is a trial implant or trial implant part.

32. The medical product as claimed in claim 27, characterized in that the instrument is a spreader or an instrument with a solid body joint.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0082] The figures are diagrammatic representations as follows:

[0083] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a medical product according to the invention in the form of an intervertebral trial implant,

[0084] FIGS. 2a to 2c further embodiments of a medical product according to the invention each in the form of a trial implant,

[0085] FIG. 3 a further embodiment of a medical product according to the invention in the form of a surgical instrument with a solid body joint,

[0086] FIGS. 4a to 4f various embodiments of a medical product according to the invention each in the form of a solid body joint,

[0087] FIG. 5 a further embodiment of a medical product according to the invention in the form of a retractor and

[0088] FIG. 6 a further embodiment of a medical product according to the invention in the form of a retractor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0089] FIG. 1 shows diagrammatically an embodiment of a medical product according to the invention in the form of an intervertebral trial implant 100.

[0090] The intervertebral trial implant 100 comprises an upper contact element 120 and a lower contact element 130. The two contact elements 120 and 130 are preferably made approximately plate-shaped. Both contact elements 120 and 130 lie flat on one another on bearing surfaces. For this, the lower contact element 130 has a convex, spherical, bearing surface 140 projecting upwards which inserts into a complementary, concave bearing surface 150 on the underside of the upper contact element 120. As a result, the two contact elements 120 and 130 are swivelable relative to one another, so that the mutual inclination of their outer sides 160 and 170 which run essentially parallel, is adjustable. The outer sides 160 and 170 form contact surfaces on adjacent vertebral bodies when the intervertebral trial implant 100 is pushed into an intervertebral space between the two vertebral bodies (not shown).

[0091] For the assessment of the forces which act on an intervertebral implant in vivo, the intervertebral trial implant 100 contains a mechanophore.

[0092] In principle, all components or only individual components of the intervertebral trial implant 100, such as for example the upper contact element 120, the bearing surface 150, the lower contact element 130 and/or the bearing surface 140, can contain a mechanophore.

[0093] The mechanophore is preferably a component of a mixture, wherein the mixture as well as the mechanophore can in particular contain a polymer, such as for example polymethyl methacrylate. The mixture can in particular be a coating of the intervertebral trial implant.

[0094] FIG. 2a shows a further embodiment of a medical product according to the invention in the form of a trial implant 100.

[0095] The trial implant 100 is configured as a trial joint socket, in particular trial hip joint socket, with a sliding surface 125.

[0096] In principle, all regions of the trial implant 100 or only individual regions thereof can contain a mechanophore, in particular a mixture with a mechanophore or a coating with a mechanophore. According to the invention it is preferable if only the sliding surface 125 of the trial joint socket 100 contains a mechanophore, in particular is provided with a coating which contains a mechanophore.

[0097] The trial joint socket shown FIG. 2a serves for the assessment of forces which act in vivo on an artificial joint socket, in particular artificial hip joint socket.

[0098] FIG. 2b shows a further embodiment of a medical product according to the invention in the form of a trial implant 100.

[0099] The trial implant 100 possesses two articulation surfaces 127a and 129a for effecting an articulation with a femur and two articulation surfaces 127b and 129b for effecting an articulation with a tibia.

[0100] The articulation surfaces 127a and 129a and the articulation surfaces 127b and 129b can each be configured the same (so-called symmetrical meniscus trial implant). Alternatively, the articulation surfaces 127a and 129a and the articulation surfaces 127b and 129b respectively can be configured differently (so-called asymmetrical meniscus trial implant).

[0101] The trial implant 100 is suitable for the assessment of forces which act on an artificial meniscus implant in vivo.

[0102] In principle, all regions or only individual regions of the trial implant 100 can contain a mechanophore, in particular be provided with a coating containing a mechanophore. According to the invention, it is preferable if only the articulation surfaces 127a, 129a, 127b and 129b contain a mechanophore, in particular are provided with a coating containing a mechanophore. As a result, an assessment is possible as to whether the forces acting in vivo on the articulation surfaces 127a, 129a, 127b and 129b are of equal magnitude.

[0103] FIG. 2c shows a further embodiment of a medical product according to the invention in the form of a trial implant 100.

[0104] The trial implant 100 has two articulation surfaces 127a and 129a for effecting an articulation with a femur and two articulation surfaces 127b and 129b for effecting an articulation with a tibia.

[0105] The articulation surfaces 127a and 129a and the articulation surfaces 127b and 129b can each be configured the same (so-called symmetrical meniscus trial implant). Alternatively, the articulation surfaces 127a and 129a and the articulation surfaces 127b and 129b respectively can be configured differently (so-called asymmetrical meniscus trial implant).

[0106] Furthermore, the trial implant has a post 126. The post is also configured for an articulation with a femur. For this, the post 126 must be able to accommodate translational forces. The post 126 is positioned between the articulation surfaces 127a and 129a.

[0107] The trial implant 100 shown in FIG. 2c also serves for the assessment of forces which act on an artificial meniscus implant in vivo.

[0108] In principle, all regions or only individual regions of the trial implant 100 can contain a mechanophore, in particular be provided with a coating containing a mechanophore.

[0109] According to the invention it is preferable if only the articulation surfaces 127a, 129a, 127b and 129b and/or the post 126 contain a mechanophore, in particular are provided with a coating which contains a mechanophore. As a result, an assessment is possible as to whether the forces acting in vivo on the articulation surfaces 127a, 129a, 127b and 129b are of equal magnitude and/or forces acting in vivo remain below a limit value, the exceeding of which would result in deformation or destruction, in particular breakage of the post 126.

[0110] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a medical product according to the invention in the form of a medical instrument 100. The instrument 100 is embodied as grasping forceps with a cartwheel-shaped solid body joint 110. The solid body joint 110 contains a mechanophore. The solid body joint 110 can in particular be provided with a coating which contains a mechanophore. In this manner, a type of force indication can particularly advantageously be implemented. Such a force indication can be advantageous for example in the determination of joint gaps in the context of a knee endoprosthetic treatment, in order always to apply the same force in the expansion of the extension and bending gap in the medial and lateral compartment of the joint.

[0111] FIGS. 4a to 4f each show one embodiment of a medical product, in each case in the form of a solid body joint 110.

[0112] The solid body joint 110 shown in FIG. 4a is a leaf spring joint.

[0113] The solid body joint 110 shown in FIG. 4b is a notch joint.

[0114] The solid body joint 110 shown in FIG. 4c is a triangular joint.

[0115] The solid body joint 110 shown in FIG. 4d is a cartwheel joint.

[0116] The solid body joint 110 shown in FIG. 4e is a parallel joint.

[0117] The solid body joint 110 shown in FIG. 4f is a cruciform spring joint.

[0118] The solid body joints 110 shown in FIGS. 4a to 4f in each case contain a mechanophore. In particular, the solid body joints shown in FIGS. 4a to 4f can in each case be provided with a coating which contains a mechanophore.

[0119] FIG. 5 shows a further embodiment of a medical product according to the invention in the form of a retractor 100.

[0120] The retractor 100 comprises a rack 102, two retractor arms 103 and 105 and two retractor blades 107 and 109.

[0121] The rack 102 is in the form of a linear toothed rack.

[0122] The toothed rack 102 is connected at one end to the retractor arm 103, preferably immovably. The retractor arm 103 projects vertically from the toothed rack 102.

[0123] On the toothed rack 102, the second retractor arm 105 is mounted movably along the toothed rack 102 via a guide sleeve 104. The retractor arm 105 runs parallel to the retractor arm 103 and has the same length as the retractor arm 103.

[0124] For fixation of the retractor arm 105 at a defined distance from the retractor arm 103, the guide sleeve 104 has a set-screw 106. The set-screw 106 has on its outside a hexagon socket 108 to accommodate a turning tool.

[0125] The retractor arm 103 is subdivided into two sections 103a and 103b which are connected together via a joint 109. Correspondingly, the retractor arm 105 is subdivided into two sections 105a and 105b which are connected together via a joint 111.

[0126] The two retractor arms 103 and 105 at their ends projecting from the toothed rack 102 each have a hook-shaped fastening device 113 and 115 for fastening the retractor blades 107 and 109. Preferably, the retractor blades 107 and 109 and the retractor arms 103 and 105 are configured such that fastening of the retractor blades 107 and 109 on the retractor arms 103 and 105 is effected by a ball-snap mechanism.

[0127] To limit tissue retraction forces, it is preferable if at least one of the two retractor blades 107 and 109, preferably both retractor blades 107 and 109, contain a mechanophore, in particular are provided with a coating which contains a mechanophore.

[0128] The retractor shown in FIG. 5 is especially suitable for the lumbar spinal column.

[0129] FIG. 6 shows a further embodiment of a medical product according to the invention 100 in the form of a retractor.

[0130] The retractor 100 has a section 133 with a convex contact surface 135. The section 133 is designed curved at least in some sections. Depending on the degree of bending of the section 133, the retractor can be used for the presentation of an acetabulum or for the presentation of a femur.

[0131] The section 133 ends at a distal end 137 of the retractor 100 in a U-shaped tip 139. To facilitate handling, the retractor can have a handgrip 134 at its proximal end 131. Alternatively, the retractor can have at its proximal end 131 a non-curved, in particular straight, section which takes on the function of a handgrip (not shown).

[0132] Particularly in the region of its U-shaped tip 139, the retractor 100 can contain a mechanophore, in particular be provided with a coating which contains a mechanophore.

[0133] Concerning further features and advantages of the medical product shown in the diagrams, complete reference is made to the above description.

PRACTICAL EXAMPLES

1. Production of a Trial Knee Joint Inlay

[0134] A mixture of polymethyl methacrylate and 3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3-(3-methyl-4-methoxyphenyl)-13-hydroxy-indeno[2,1-f]naphto[1,2-b]pyran was melted and poured into a mold which corresponded to the trial knee joint inlay to be produced. After curing of the mixture, the trial inlay was demolded.

2. Production of a Trial Hip Joint Sliding Surface

[0135] A mixture of polymethyl methacrylate and piroxicam was melted and poured into a rectangular mold of appropriate size. After curing of the mixture, a trial hip joint sliding surface was then milled out of the solid body by means of a CNC milling machine.

3. Production of a Solid Body Joint

[0136] A mixture of polymethyl methacrylate and 3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3-(3-methyl-4-methoxyphenyl)-13-hydroxy-indeno[2,1-f]naphto[1,2-b]pyran was melted and poured into a rectangular mold of appropriate size. After curing of the mixture, a solid body joint was then milled out of the solid body by means of a CNC milling machine, and was then used in a spreader instrument.