Microminiature chainmail interface between skin and a transcutaneous prosthetic device and a method of manufacture
The disclosure describes a direct skeletal attachment (DSA) device including a micro-miniature chainmail skin-to-DSA interface. The interface comprises various porous architectures for skin ingrowth and integration as barriers against pathogens. Failure of skin-to-DSA interfaces can occur due to mismatches in mechanical compliance between pliable skin and more rigid DSA interfaces. To address this problem, in embodiments disclosed herein is an interface having a gradient in mechanical compliance or link mobility, ranging from fully flexible, to less compliant, to rigid where it attaches to the main DSA body.
1. A direct skeletal attachment device comprising:
an intramedullary stem adapted to be inserted into a cavity of a bone;
a post adapted to interface with a prosthesis;
an interface positioned between the post and stem,
wherein the interface extends radially from a first end proximate the post and stem to a second end;
wherein the interface is rigid at the first end;
wherein the interface comprises a series of interconnected links forming a chainmail scaffolding.
2. The direct skeletal attachment of claim 1 , wherein an inner diameter of each link of the series of interconnected links increases from the first end to the second end.
3. The direct skeletal attachment of claim 1 , wherein a thickness of each link of the series of interconnected links decreases from the first end to the second end.
4. The direct skeletal attachment of claim 1 , wherein the chainmail scaffolding has a porosity gradient.
5. The direct skeletal attachment of claim 1 , wherein the chainmail scaffolding is fully dense near the stem and the post.
6. The direct skeletal attachment of claim 4 , wherein a plurality of pores remain above a minimum pore diameter within the porosity gradient.
7. The direct skeletal attachment of claim 1 , wherein the interface tapers from mechanically compliant at the second end to rigid at the first end.
8. The direct skeletal attachment of claim 1 , wherein the links are mobile at the second end and are immobile at the first end.