MOTION PRESERVATION IMPLANT AND METHODS
Various embodiments of implant systems and related apparatus, and methods of operating the same are described herein. In various embodiments, an implant for interfacing with a bone structure includes a web structure, including a space truss, configured to interface with human bone tissue. The space truss includes two or more planar truss units having a plurality of struts joined at nodes. Implants include one or more flexible struts that impart flexibility to the implant.
1 . An implant for interfacing with a bone structure, comprising:
a web structure comprising a plurality of struts joined at nodes, wherein the web structure is configured to interface with human bone tissue;
wherein one or more of the struts are composed of an elastic material.
2 . The implant of claim 1 , wherein the one or more struts composed of an elastic material are placed in positions that allow the implant to flex during use.
3 . The implant of claim 1 , wherein the web structure comprises a space truss comprising two or more planar truss units.
4 . The implant of claim 1 , wherein the at least some of the struts define triangular trusses having at least one node shared by two different triangular planar truss units having different corresponding angles.
5 . The implant of claim 3 , wherein one or more of the planar truss units comprise one or more planar triangular truss units having three substantially straight struts and three nodes in a triangular configuration.
6 . The implant of claim 3 , wherein one or more of the planar truss units are coupled to one another such that one or more planar truss units lie in a plane that is not substantially parallel to a plane of a planar truss unit that shares at least one strut with the one or more planar truss units.
7 . The implant of claim 3 , wherein one or more of the planar truss units define an exterior surface of the web structure.
8 . The implant of claim 3 , wherein one or more of the planar truss units comprises a first planar triangular truss unit coupled to a second planar triangular truss unit, wherein the first and second planar triangular truss units are coupled in an opposing manner with a single node defining the apex of each planar triangular truss unit.
9 . A method of repairing a bone structure, comprising:
obtaining an implant, the implant comprising:
a web structure comprising a plurality of struts joined at nodes, wherein the web structure is configured to interface with human bone tissue;
wherein one or more of the struts are composed of an elastic material;
coupling the implant to the bone structure.
10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the one or more struts composed of an elastic material are placed in positions that allow the implant to flex during use.
11 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the web structure comprises a space truss comprising two or more planar truss units.
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the at least some of the struts define triangular trusses having at least one node shared by two different triangular planar truss units having different corresponding angles.
13 . The method of claim 11 , wherein one or more of the planar truss units comprise one or more planar triangular truss units having three substantially straight struts and three nodes in a triangular configuration.
14 . The method of claim 11 , wherein one or more of the planar truss units are coupled to one another such that one or more planar truss units lie in a plane that is not substantially parallel to a plane of a planar truss unit that shares at least one strut with the one or more planar truss units.
15 . The method of claim 11 , wherein one or more of the planar truss units define an exterior surface of the web structure.
16 . The method of claim 11 , wherein one or more of the planar truss units comprises a first planar triangular truss unit coupled to a second planar triangular truss unit, wherein the first and second planar triangular truss units are coupled in an opposing manner with a single node defining the apex of each planar triangular truss unit.
17 - 82 . (canceled)