Bone fixation implants and methods
A plating system is described that uses various configurations of bone fixation implants that are configured to attach to one or more portions of a bone. An exemplary bone fixation implant includes a two-dimensional structure comprising a bone-engaging surface and a tissue-engaging surface. A plurality of openings is defined in the two-dimensional structure, and arranged across a length and a width of the bone fixation implant. At least some of openings are configured to receive an attachment member for securing the bone fixation implant to an underlying bone structure. The tissue-engaging surface is configured to engage an overlying tissue structure for encouraging incorporation of the tissue structure into the bone fixation implant to promote stabilization of the underlying bone structure during healing. In certain embodiments, at least 50% of the area defined by and/or between the length and the width of the two-dimensional structure is an opening.
1. A bone fixation implant configured to attach one or more portions of chest wall bone to muscle, fascia, or soft tissue, the bone fixation implant comprising:
a two-dimensional dual lattice structure comprising a bone-engaging surface and a muscle, fascia, or soft tissue-engaging surface; and
a plurality of openings defined in the two-dimensional dual lattice structure, the openings being arranged across a length and a width of the bone fixation implant,
wherein at least one first opening is defined in the bone-engaging surface within a first plane of the dual lattice structure, the at least one first opening defined within the first plane being configured to receive an attachment member therethrough to provide rigid fixation of the bone fixation implant to the chest wall bone;
wherein at least one second opening is defined in the muscle, fascia, or soft tissue-engaging surface within a second plane of the dual lattice structure, the at least one second opening defined within the second plane being configured to receive a suturing needle therethrough to attach the bone fixation implant to the muscle, fascia, or soft tissue of the chest wall;
wherein the second plane is different from the first plane of the dual lattice structure; and
wherein the muscle, fascia, or soft tissue-engaging surface is configured to engage an overlying muscle, fascia, or soft tissue structure for encouraging incorporation of the muscle, fascia, or soft tissue structure into the bone fixation implant to promote stabilization of the underlying bone structure of the chest wall during healing.
2. The implant of claim 1 , wherein the muscle, fascia, or soft tissue-engaging surface comprises a plurality of second openings comprising a plurality of enclosed channels extending substantially parallel to the bone fixation implant, wherein each enclosed channel defines a first open end and a second open end.
3. The implant of claim 2 , wherein the enclosed channels are arranged at different angles with respect to one another.
4. The implant of claim 3 , wherein the enclosed channels pass through different planes with respect to each other.
5. The implant of claim 1 , wherein the two-dimensional dual lattice structure is formed from polyether ether ketone (PEEK).
6. The implant of claim 1 , wherein the two-dimensional dual lattice structure comprises at least one of titanium, aluminum, stainless steel, or Nitinol.
7. The implant of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the bone-engaging surface or the muscle, fascia, or soft tissue engaging surface is texturized for enhanced engagement to the bone structure of the chest wall or the muscle, fascia, or soft tissue structure.
8. The implant of claim 1 , wherein the two-dimensional dual lattice structure is formed from a plurality of base elements that are disposed in a repeating pattern.
9. The implant of claim 8 , wherein each base element comprises a frame member, a primary opening centrally disposed with respect to the frame member, and a plurality of secondary openings surrounding the primary opening.
10. The implant of claim 8 , wherein a portion of each base element is nonplanar.
11. The implant of claim 1 , wherein the two-dimensional dual lattice structure is from 1.5-2.5 mm thick.
12. A bone fixation system comprising:
the implant of claim 1 ; and
a second bone fixation implant,
wherein the second bone fixation implant is a bone fixation plate.
13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the implant of claim 1 and/or the bone fixation plate are formed from polyether ether ketone (PEEK).
14. The implant of claim 1 , wherein a plurality of second openings is defined in the muscle, fascia, or soft tissue-engaging surface within a plurality of second planes of the dual lattice structure, wherein each second plane is different from the first plane.