Variably X-Ray Lucent Marker System
The present invention includes markers for use in implants that have a variable lucency or radiolucency. The use of a variably lucent marker can provide a surgeon a quick indication of the implant's alignment during implantation. A variably lucent marker can also provide a doctor or technician a quick indicator of an implant's position during post-operation imaging. The variably lucent markers can be used in any implant that has some level of lucency when viewed through an imaging device. The variably lucent markers can be used in the lattice with increased or optimized lucency disclosed herein or in other structure known in the art.
1 . A bulk volume for use in medical implants, comprising:
a first marker connected to the bulk volume;
a second marker connected to the bulk volume;
wherein the bulk volume has an average baseline lucency;
wherein the first marker has a first lucency;
wherein the second marker has a second lucency;
wherein the bulk volume has an aligned direction; and
wherein the first marker is positioned to at least partially overlay the second marker when the bulk volume is viewed from the aligned direction.
2 . The bulk volume of claim 1 , wherein the first marker is positioned to not fully overlay the second marker when the bulk volume is viewed from a misaligned direction.
3 . The bulk volume of claim 1 , wherein the first marker has a volumetric density of about 100 percent.
4 . The bulk volume of claim 1 , wherein the first marker has a volumetric density of less than 100 percent.
5 . The bulk volume of claim 1 , wherein the first marker has a volumetric density of between and including 0 percent to 30 percent.
6 . The bulk volume of claim 1 , wherein the average baseline lucency comprises the average lucency across the porous structure without the inclusion of the first marker and second marker; and wherein an average lucency of the bulk volume with the first marker differs from the average baseline lucency by less than 15 percent.
7 . The bulk volume of claim 1 , wherein the average baseline lucency comprises the average lucency across a field of view of the bulk volume from a predetermined focal length; and wherein an average lucency of the bulk volume with the first marker differs from the average baseline lucency by less than 15 percent.
8 . The bulk volume of claim 1 , wherein portions of the bulk volume that fall outside of a field of view from a predetermined focal length are oriented towards a predetermined focal point.
9 . The bulk volume of claim 6 , wherein an average lucency of the bulk volume with the inclusion of the second marker differs from the average baseline lucency by less than 15 percent.
10 . The bulk volume of claim 9 , wherein the first marker and the second marker provide a localized difference in lucency that deviates from the average baseline lucency by at least 4 percent when in the aligned direction.
11 . The bulk volume of claim 6 , wherein the first marker provides a localized difference in lucency that deviates from the average baseline lucency by less than 15 percent when in a misaligned direction.
12 . The bulk volume of claim 1 , wherein the first marker and second marker are a variably lucent marker pair;
further comprising a plurality of variably lucent marker pairs; and
wherein the variable lucent marker pairs are configured in a pattern that is more lucent in a misaligned direction than in an aligned direction.
13 . The bulk volume of claim 12 , wherein the pattern comprises a shape, character, numeral, barcode, matrix barcode, logo, a design or a means of device serialization.
14 . The bulk volume of claim 1 , wherein the medical implant comprises a spinal interbody; and wherein the desired direction comprises a lateral direction relative to a patient.
15 . The bulk volume of claim 1 , wherein the medical implant comprises a spinal interbody; and wherein the desired direction comprises an anterior to posterior direction relative to a patient.
16 . A marker system for use in medical implants, comprising:
a bulk volume with an average baseline lucency;
wherein the bulk volume has an aligned direction and a misaligned direction;
a first marker;
wherein the first marker is configured to provide a localized deviation from the average baseline lucency of at least 4 percent when viewed in the aligned direction; and
wherein the first marker is configured to provide a localized deviation from the average baseline lucency of less than 15 percent when viewed in a misaligned direction.
17 . The marker system of claim 16 , further comprising:
a second marker;
wherein the second marker is configured to provide a localized deviation from the average baseline lucency of at least 4 percent when viewed in the aligned direction;
wherein the second marker is configured to provide a localized deviation from the average baseline lucency of less than 15 percent when viewed in a misaligned direction;
wherein the first marker is positioned to at least partially overlay the second marker when the bulk volume is viewed in the aligned direction; and
wherein the first marker is positioned not fully overlay the second marker when the bulk volume is viewed in a misaligned direction.
18 . The marker system of claim 17 , wherein the first marker and second marker are a variably lucent marker pair;
further comprising a plurality of variably lucent markers;
wherein the variable lucent markers are configured in a pattern that has a lucency in a misaligned direction that is at least 4 percent different than a lucency in an aligned direction; and
wherein the pattern is selected from a group consisting of a shape, character, numeral, barcode, matrix barcode, logo, a design and a means of device serialization.
19 . The marker system of claim 16 , wherein the medical implant comprises a spinal interbody; and wherein the aligned direction comprises a lateral direction relative to a patient.
20 . The marker system of claim 16 , wherein the medical implant comprises a spinal interbody; and wherein the aligned direction comprises an anterior to posterior direction relative to a patient.