Tapered joint implant and related tools
View Patent ↗According to some embodiments, a method of treating a joint of a patient comprises creating a recess in a bone located at or near a targeted joint, wherein the recess includes a generally wedge or truncated cone shape. In one embodiment, the recess in a bone comprises a surface opening along an outer surface of the bone and a bottom opening along the distal end of the recess, such that a diameter of the surface opening is generally smaller than a diameter of the bottom opening. The method additionally comprises providing a joint implant having a wedge or truncated cone shape, wherein a diameter of a top end of the joint implant is generally smaller than a diameter of a bottom end of the joint implant, inserting the joint implant within the recess.
1. A hydrogel implant configured for implantation within a joint of a patient, comprising:
a top end configured to form an articulation surface when properly implanted within a joint;
a bottom end generally opposite of the top end;
a main hydrogel body extending between the top end and the bottom end, said main hydrogel body comprising a longitudinal centerline;
wherein a diameter or other cross-section dimension of the bottom end is greater than a diameter or other cross-sectional dimension of the top end; and
side walls generally extending between the top end and the bottom end, said side walls being generally sloped relative to the longitudinal centerline;
wherein the implant comprises a tapered shape due to, at least in part, to a difference between the diameters or other cross-sectional dimensions of the top end and the bottom end;
wherein the implant consists essentially of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and saline, and wherein the implant is configured for placement within an implant site having a similar reverse tapered shape, thereby reducing the likelihood of unintentional removal of the implant from the implant site following implantation;
wherein the implant is non-biodegradable and non-erodable so that the hydrogel is configured for long term implantation within a patient, wherein the implant is configured to maintain its original physical and chemical characteristics present in the implant at the time of implantation during said long term implantation; and
wherein the hydrogel implant is configured to be secured within a target site of a patient as a result of the implant shape without the need for an anchoring or other fixation methods or features, including coatings and other additives.
2. The implant of claim 1 , wherein the implant is load bearing.
3. The implant of claim 1 , wherein the implant is configured for placement within at least one of a toe, finger, ankle, knee, shoulder, hip or other joint.
4. The implant of claim 1 , wherein a transition between the top end and the side walls is generally curved.
5. The implant of claim 1 , wherein the diameter or other cross-sectional dimension of the bottom end is approximately 5% to 25% larger than the diameter or other cross-sectional dimension of the top end.
6. The implant of claim 1 , wherein a ratio of the diameter or other cross-sectional dimension of the bottom end of the implant to the diameter or other cross-sectional dimension of the top end of the implant is approximately between 1.05 and 1.3.
7. The implant of claim 1 , wherein a ratio of the diameter or other cross-sectional dimension of the bottom end of the implant to the diameter or other cross-sectional dimension of the top end of the implant is at least 1.1.
8. The implant of claim 1 , wherein each of the top end, the bottom end and the side walls is generally planar so that the implant comprises a truncated cone shape.
9. The implant of claim 1 , wherein the content of PVA in the implant is approximately 20% to 60% by weight.
10. A hydrogel implant configured for implantation within a joint of a subject, comprising:
a top surface configured to form an articulation surface when properly implanted within a joint;
a bottom surface generally opposite of the top surface, wherein the bottom surface is generally planar;
a main hydrogel body extending between the top surface and the bottom surface, the main hydrogel body comprising a longitudinal centerline;
wherein a diameter or other cross-section dimension of the bottom surface is greater than a diameter or other cross-sectional dimension of the top surface; and
at least one side wall generally extending between the top surface and the bottom surface, wherein the at least one side wall being sloped relative to the longitudinal centerline;
wherein the implant comprises a tapered shape due to, at least in part, to a difference between the diameters or other cross-sectional dimensions of the top surface and the bottom surface;
wherein the implant is configured for placement within an implant site having a similar reverse tapered shape, thereby reducing the likelihood of unintentional removal of the implant from the implant site following implantation; and
wherein the implant does not comprise growth factors, and wherein the implant is non-biodegradable and non-erodable such that the hydrogel is configured for long term implantation within a subject, wherein the implant is configured to generally maintain its original chemical characteristics of the implant at the time of implantation during said long term implantation; and
wherein the hydrogel implant is configured to be secured within a target site of a patient as a result of the implant shape without the need for an anchoring or other fixation methods or features, including coatings and other additives.
11. The implant of claim 10 , wherein the hydrogel comprises polyvinyl alcohol (PVA).
12. The implant of claim 11 , wherein the content of PVA in the implant is approximately 20% to 60% by weight.
13. The implant of claim 10 , wherein the implant is load bearing.
14. The implant of claim 10 , wherein the implant is configured for placement within at least one of a toe, finger, ankle, knee, shoulder, hip or other joint.
15. The implant of claim 10 , wherein the at least one side wall is generally flat so that the implant comprises a truncated cone shape.
16. The implant of claim 10 , wherein the diameter or other cross-sectional dimension of the bottom surface is approximately 5% to 25% larger than the diameter or other cross-sectional dimension of the top surface.
17. The implant of claim 10 , wherein a ratio of the diameter or other cross-sectional dimension of the bottom surface of the implant to the diameter or other cross-sectional dimension of the top surface of the implant is approximately between 1.05 and 1.3.
18. The implant of claim 10 , wherein a ratio of the diameter or other cross-sectional dimension of the bottom surface of the implant to the diameter or other cross-sectional dimension of the top surface of the implant is at least 1.1.
19. The implant of claim 10 , wherein a transition between the top surface and the at least one side wall is generally curved.
20. A hydrogel implant configured for implantation within a joint of a subject, comprising:
a top surface configured to form an articulation surface when implanted within a joint of a subject;
a bottom surface generally opposite of the top surface;
a main hydrogel body extending between the top surface and the bottom surface, the main hydrogel body comprising a longitudinal centerline;
side walls extending between the top and bottom surfaces; and
wherein a diameter or other cross-section dimension of the bottom surface is greater than a diameter or other cross-sectional dimension of the top surface;
wherein the side walls are sloped relative to the longitudinal centerline;
wherein the implant is configured for placement within an implant site having a similar reverse tapered shape, thereby preventing removal of the implant from the implant site following implantation;
wherein the implant is non-biodegradable and non-erodable such that the hydrogel is configured for long term implantation within a subject, wherein the implant is configured to generally maintain its original chemical characteristics of the implant at the time of implantation during said long term implantation; and
wherein the hydrogel implant is configured to be secured within a target site of a patient as a result of the implant shape without the need for an anchoring or other fixation methods or features, including coatings and other additives.
21. The implant of claim 20 , wherein the implant consists essentially of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and saline.