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 - 56 . (canceled)
57 . 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 a viscoelastic material.
58 . The implant of claim 57 , wherein the one or more struts composed of a viscoelastic material are placed in positions that allow the implant to flex during use.
59 . The implant of claim 57 , wherein the web structure comprises a space truss comprising two or more planar truss units.
60 . The implant of claim 57 , 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.
61 . The implant of claim 60 , 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.
62 . The implant of claim 60 , 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.
63 . The implant of claim 60 , wherein one or more of the planar truss units define an exterior surface of the web structure.
64 . The implant of claim 60 , 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.
65 . 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 viscoelastic material;
coupling the implant to the bone structure.
66 . The method of claim 65 , wherein the one or more struts composed of an viscoelastic material are placed in positions that allow the implant to flex during use.
67 . The method of claim 65 , wherein the web structure comprises a space truss comprising two or more planar truss units.
68 . The method of claim 67 , 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.
69 . The method of claim 67 , 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.
70 . The method of claim 67 , 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.
71 . The method of claim 67 , wherein one or more of the planar truss units define an exterior surface of the web structure.
72 . The method of claim 67 , 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.
73 - 82 . (canceled)