Description:FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(Section 10 and Rule 13)

TITLE OF THE INVENTION
ORTHOPEDIC IMPLANT

APPLICANT:
Meril Corporation (I) Private Limited, an Indian company of the address Survey No. 135/139, Muktanand Marg, Bilakhia House, Pardi, Vapi, Valsad-396191 Gujarat, India.

The following specification particularly describes the invention and manner in which it is to be performed:

FIELD OF INVENTION
[001] The present disclosure relates to medical implants. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an orthopedic implant for bone growth modulation.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[002] Bone deformities refer to abnormalities or irregularities in the shape, structure, or alignment of bones in the body. These deformities can occur during childhood growth due to developmental abnormalities or disruptions in bone growth and alignment or during adulthood due to various factors.
[003] Example of deformities include bowlegs (also known as genu varum, which is a condition where the lower limbs curve outward at the knees, creating a distinct bowing), knock knees (also known as genu valgum, which is a condition where the knees angle inward toward each other, resulting in “knocked-knee” appearance), blount’s disease (a growth disorder of the tibia that causes the lower limb to angle inward, leading to bowing of the lower limbs). Bone deformities may also occur due to other reasons, such as, past trauma (e.g., fractures, improperly treated fractures or injuries that heal in a misaligned position can lead to long-term deformities), infections (e.g., osteomyelitis caused by bacterial infection resulting in bone destruction and deformity if left untreated), metabolic disorders (e.g., rickets caused by vitamin D deficiency, Paget’s disease characterized by abnormal bone remodeling), etc.
[004] Orthopedic implants, such as, external fixators or screws in conjunction with plates and rods, etc., are surgically inserted into the body to stabilize bone and correct these bone deformities. During childhood and adolescence, bones undergo a process of growth and remodeling, driven by the activity of growth plates, also known as physis. As the bones’ growth are not static structures but rather dynamic and constantly changing, the bone around the implant continues to lengthen and remodel. Over time, this can lead to issues related to implant displacement, or misalignment.
[005] For example, as the bone grows in both longitudinal direction and latitudinal direction, the distance between the ends of the bone may increase. Conventional implants do not accommodate such growth and get displaced or migrated within the bone, leading to suboptimal fixation and potential loss of alignment. In other word, inadequate accommodation of bone growth by the conventional implant can result in loosening of the implant from its original position. This can compromise the stability of the bone during the deformity correction, increasing the risk of complications such as nonunion or malunion. Further, if the implant becomes overwhelmed by the forces exerted on it due to bone growth, it may ultimately fail, leading to recurrence of the bone deformity. Therefore, the conventional implants are generally replaced frequently to accommodate the dynamic changes of the bone, thereby requiring the patient to undergo regular implant replacement surgeries. This not only causes great discomfort to the patient but also increases the medical costs.
[006] Thus, there arises a need for an orthopedic implant that overcomes challenges with conventional ones.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[007] Particular embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein below with reference to the accompanying drawings; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are mere examples of the disclosure, which may be embodied in various forms. Well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the present disclosure in unnecessary detail. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present disclosure in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.
[008] The present disclosure relates to an orthopedic implant. In an embodiment, the orthopedic implant includes a pair of support assemblies and a pair of coupling assemblies operatively coupled to the pair of support assemblies. Each of the pair of support assemblies includes a shaft configured to be disposed within a bone and a pair of fasteners. The shaft includes a lumen. Each fastener of the pair of fasteners includes a head and a shank. At least a portion of the shank is configured to be disposed within the lumen of the shaft. The head includes a first portion coupled to a bush and a second portion configured to be anchored to the bone. Each of the pair of coupling assemblies includes at least one tube, at least one resilient element and a pair of connectors. The at least one resilient element is disposed within the at least one tube. The at least one tube is made of a flexible, biocompatible material. The pair of connectors is coupled to the at least one tube and the at least one resilient element. Each connector of the pair of connectors is coupled to a respective bush.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[009] The summary above, as well as the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the apportioned drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the present disclosure, exemplary constructions of the disclosure are shown in the drawings. However, the disclosure is not limited to specific methods and instrumentality disclosed herein. Moreover, those in the art will understand that the drawings are not to scale.
[0010] Fig. 1 depicts a perspective of an implant 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0011] Fig. 2a depicts a cross-sectional view of a support assembly 140 of the implant 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0012] Fig. 2b depicts a fastener 146 of the support assembly 140 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0013] Fig. 2c depicts an embodiment of a bush 150 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0014] Fig. 3 depicts an isometric view of a coupling assembly 160 of the implant 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0015] Fig. 4 depicts an exploded view of the implant 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0016] Fig. 5 depicts a flowchart of a method 500 of fixating the implant 100 with a bone during a medical procedure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0017] Fig. 6 depicts a side view of the implant 100 fixated with a bone 600 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] Prior to describing the disclosure in detail, definitions of certain words or phrases used throughout this patent document will be defined: the terms "include" and "comprise", as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation; the term "or" is inclusive, meaning and/or; the phrases "coupled with" and "associated therewith", as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have a property of, or the like. Definitions of certain words and phrases are provided throughout this patent document, and those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that such definitions apply in many, if not most, instances to prior as well as future uses of such defined words and phrases.
[0019] Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment, but mean “one or more but not all embodiments” unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms “including,” “comprising,” “having,” and variations thereof mean “including but not limited to” unless expressly specified otherwise. An enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive and/or mutually inclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms “a,” “an,” and “the” also refer to “one or more” unless expressly specified otherwise.
[0020] Although the operations of exemplary embodiments of the disclosed method may be described in a particular, sequential order for convenient presentation, it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments can encompass an order of operations other than the particular, sequential order disclosed. For example, operations described sequentially may in some cases be rearranged or performed concurrently. Further, descriptions and disclosures provided in association with one particular embodiment are not limited to that embodiment, and may be applied to any embodiment disclosed herein. Moreover, for the sake of simplicity, the attached figures may not show the various ways in which the disclosed system, method, and apparatus can be used in combination with other systems, methods, and apparatuses.
[0021] Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the embodiments may be combined in any suitable manner. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the embodiments may be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments. These features and advantages of the embodiments will become more fully apparent from the following description and apportioned claims, or may be learned by the practice of embodiments as set forth hereinafter
[0022] The present disclosure relates to an orthopedic implant (hereinafter, implant) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The implant is used to guide the growth of the bone in a specific direction and help correct angular deformities or align bones, thereby controlling the bone growth (also known as bone growth modulation).
[0023] In an embodiment, the implant includes a pair of support assemblies and a pair of coupling assemblies. The pair of support assemblies and the pair of coupling assemblies of the implant of the present disclosure prevent unwanted bone growth while accommodating the dynamic changes in bone structure that occur during growth and development of the bone, ensuring the bone growth is controlled and optimized, leading to improved alignment and functional outcomes. The pair of support assemblies is configured to accommodate the latitudinal growth. The pair of coupling assemblies, operatively coupled to the pair of support assemblies, stabilizes the orientation between the pair of support assembly and accommodates the longitudinal growth of the bone, thereby eliminating the need of frequent revision surgeries as seen with conventional implants.
[0024] Referring to Fig. 1 depicts an orthopedic implant 100 (hereinafter, the implant 100) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the implant 100 is implanted onto a bone of the lower limbs (e.g., femur, tibia, fibula) at any suitable location in children and/or adolescents for guiding the bone growth in a specific direction, help in correcting the angular deformities and minimize discrepancies so as to promote controlled bone growth. Though the disclosure has been explained in the context of applying the implant for correcting the bone deformities of lower limb, it should be appreciated that the teachings of the present disclosure can be applied for correcting the bone deformities in upper limbs. The implant 100 has a first side 100a, a second side 100b, a top side 100c and a bottom side 100d. In an exemplary embodiment, the implant 100 includes a pair of support assemblies 140 and a pair of coupling assemblies 160.
[0025] In an embodiment, one support assembly 140 of the pair of support assemblies 140 is provided towards the top side 100c and another support assembly 140 of the pair of support assemblies 140 is provided towards the bottom side 100d of the implant 100. The pair of support assemblies 140 may be disposed parallel or non-parallel with respect to each other at any suitable location within the bone for supporting the bone. The placements of the pair of support assemblies 140 are strategized by the surgeon depending upon anatomical constraints, bone quality, or specific treatment requirements. Post-implantation, during the growth and development of the bone, the pair of support assemblies 140 provides adjustability and helps in accommodating the latitudinal growth of the bone, which has been explained later.
[0026] The pair of coupling assemblies 160 helps in coupling the pair of support assemblies 140 towards the bone surface. One coupling assembly 160 of the pair of coupling assemblies 160 couples the pair of support assemblies 140 towards the first side 100a of the implant 100 and other coupling assembly 160 of the pair of coupling assemblies couples the pair of support assemblies 140 towards the second side 100b of the implant 100. The pair of coupling assemblies 160 guides the growth of the bone in longitudinal direction thereby controlling the unwanted growth of the bone. The pair of coupling assemblies 160 provide flexibility to the surgeon for placing each of the pair of support assemblies 140 at a desirable distance (depending upon the specific requirements for treatment). They also provide adjustability required for the longitudinal growth of the bone, which has been explained later.
[0027] In an embodiment, each support assembly 140 of the pair of support assemblies 140 includes a shaft 142 and a pair of fasteners 146. Fig. 2a depicts a cross-sectional view of one support assembly 140 of the pair of support assembly 140 of the implant 100 according to an embodiment. The shaft 142 is configured to be disposed within a prepared recess of the bone and provide support to the bone. The shaft 142 serves as a housing or container for the fasteners 146 and provides a path for the fasteners 146 to move. The shaft 142 has a first end 142a and a second end 142b, thereby defining a length. The shafts 142 of the pair of support assemblies 140 may have a suitable length. The length of the shaft 142 of one support assembly 140 of the pair of support assemblies 140 may be the same or different than the length of the shaft 142 of the other support assembly 140 based upon requirements. The shaft 142 has a hollow body having a lumen 142c extending from the first end 142a to the second end 142b. Each of the first end 142a and the second end 142b of the shaft 142 is configured to receive at least a portion of a corresponding fastener 146 of the pair of fasteners 146.
[0028] Fig. 2b depicts an exemplary fastener 146 according to an embodiment. The fastener 146 includes a head 146a provided towards a proximal end 146d of the fastener 146 and a shank 146b extending from the head 146a towards a distal end 146e of the fastener 146. The proximal end 146d of the fastener 146 optionally includes a slot 148 (shown in Fig. 2a) configured to receive an instrument for holding and/or manipulating (e.g., rotating, drilling, etc.) the fastener 146 during the surgical procedure. The head 146a includes a first portion 146a1 provided towards the proximal end 146d and a second portion 146a2 provided towards the distal end 146e. In an exemplary embodiment, the first portion 146a1 of the head 146a has a larger diameter than the second portion 146a2 of the head 146a. In an embodiment, the first portion 146a1 and the second portion 146a2 of the head 146a includes a plurality of threads. The first portion 146a1 helps in coupling the support assembly 140 with the coupling assembly 160, which is explained later. The second portion 146a2 is configured to be anchored with the bone. At least a portion of the shank 146b is configured to be disposed within the lumen 142c of shaft 142. For example, the lumen 142c receives at each of the first end 142a and the second end 142b, the shank 146b of the corresponding fastener 146. The shank 146b is able to slide and rotate within the lumen 142c of the shaft 142 as a result of the bone growth in the latitudinal direction.
[0029] In an embodiment, the fasteners 146 are bone screws. The shaft 142 and the fasteners 146 are dimensioned according to or based upon the anatomy of the patient and/or the patient population in consideration. The fastener 146 may be made of any suitable biocompatible material such as, without limitation, titanium alloy, stainless steel, cobalt, chromium, alloy, etc. In an embodiment, the fastener 146 is made of titanium alloy. The shaft 142 may be made of any suitable biocompatible material such as, without limitation, polymer, stainless steel, cobalt, chromium, alloy, etc. In an embodiment, the shaft 142 is made of polymer.
[0030] Due to variations in anatomical structures of the bone of different individuals, angular fixation of the fasteners 146 may be required. To address such situations, in an embodiment, the shaft 142 is capable of bending at a suitable angle around a center portion of the shaft 142 as needed so that the fasteners 146 can be fixated at a suitable angle with respect to a central axis of the shaft 142.
[0031] A plurality of threads 143 are provided on an inner surface of the shaft 142 as shown in Fig. 2a. The plurality of threads 143 extend for a partial length of the shaft 142 and may be provided centrally within the lumen 142c. The plurality of threads 143 is configured to engage with corresponding threads of an instrument used for detaching or extracting the shaft 142 from the bone.
[0032] The pair of support assemblies 140 are operatively coupled to the pair of coupling assemblies 160. In an embodiment, the pair of support assemblies 140 is coupled to the pair of coupling assemblies 160 using a plurality of bushes 150. An exemplary bush 150 is illustrated in Fig. 2c. Each bush 150 is coupled to a respective fastener 146 using any suitable techniques such as threaded joint, press-fit, friction-fit, etc. In an embodiment, the bush 150 and the first portion 146a1 of the corresponding fastener 146 are coupled using a threaded joint. Accordingly, the bush 150 includes an opening having threads 150a provided on an inner surface of the opening. The threads 150a are configured to engage with the corresponding threads provided on outer surface of the first portion 146a1 of the fastener 146. In an embodiment, the bush 150 is cylindrical in shape, though it may have any other suitable shape. The bush 150 may be made of any suitable biocompatible material, such as, without limitation, polymer, stainless steel, titanium alloy, cobalt, chromium, alloy, etc. In an embodiment, the bush 150 is made of titanium alloy.
[0033] Fig. 3 depicts an isometric view of an exemplary coupling assembly 160 of the pair of coupling assemblies 160 of the implant 100. Each coupling assembly 160 includes at least one resilient element 162 and at least one tube 172. In an embodiment, each coupling assembly 160 includes a pair of resilient elements 162 (or resilient elements 162) and a pair of tubes 172 (or tubes 172). Though Fig. 3 depicts each coupling assembly 160 having a pair of resilient elements 162 and a pair of tubes 172, it should be appreciated that each coupling assembly 160 may include one or more resilient elements and one or more tubes. Each resilient element 162 of the pair of resilient elements 162 is disposed with a corresponding tube 172 of the pair of tubes 172. In an embodiment, the pair of resilient elements 162 are springs. The pair of resilient elements 162 are able to bend, expand and/or contract. Each tube 172 provides a casing for the corresponding resilient element 162 and prevents grinding of the resilient element 162 against the surface of the bone. In an embodiment, the pair of tubes 172 are flexible. As a result, the pair of tubes 172 can be bent as desired. The tube 172 may be made of any suitable flexible, biocompatible material, such as, without limitation, latex rubber, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), etc. In an embodiment, the tubes 172 are made of PVC. The flexibility of the pair of resilient elements 162 and the pair of tubes 172 enable healthcare practitioners to adjust the positioning of the pair of support assemblies 140 based on specific anatomy of the patient. Due to bone growth in longitudinal direction, the pair of resilient elements 162 and the pair of tubes 172 are configured to stretch together. Each resilient element 162 and the tube 172 may have a similar length that may be dimensioned according to or based upon the anatomy of the patient and/or the patient population in consideration.
[0034] Each end of the pair of resilient elements 162 and the pair of tubes 172 is coupled to a respective connector 200 using any suitable technique, such as, without limitations, welding, brazing, pin-slot mechanism, press-fit mechanism, adhesives, etc. In an embodiment, the connector 200 is generally cuboidal in shape (though it may have any other suitable shape) and includes a first face 202 and a second face 208. The first face 202 of the connector 200 includes a pair of holes (not shown). Each hole of the pair of holes is configured to receive one end of the pair of tubes 172 and one end of the pair of resilient elements 162. The second face 208 includes a groove 208a. The groove 208a extends for the width of the connector 200. In an embodiment, the groove 208a is semi-cylindrical. The groove 208a is configured to receive at least a portion of the corresponding bush 150. According to an embodiment, the resilient elements 162, the tubes 172 and the connectors 200 are manufactured as a single unit. This makes the assembly of the implant 100 faster and easier, which reduces the overall procedure time and improves the patient outcome.
[0035] In an exemplary embodiment, each coupling assembly 160 includes a pair of second connectors 210. Each of the pair of second connectors 210 is coupled to a corresponding connector 200 of the coupling assembly 160. In an embodiment, the second connector 210 is generally cuboidal in shape (though it may have any other suitable shape) and includes a first face 214 and a second face 212 (shown in Fig. 4). The second face 212 of the second connector 210 includes a groove 212a. In an embodiment, the groove 212a is semi-cylindrical and is configured to receive a portion of the corresponding bush 150. The connector 200 and the second connector 210 are coupled using, for example, at least one fastener, though any other suitable coupling technique may be used, such as, without limitations, push-fit mechanism, pin-slot mechanism, etc. In an exemplary embodiment, the connector 200 and the second connector 210 are coupled using screws 220, as shown in Fig. 4. Accordingly, holes are provided on the first face 214 of the second connector 210 extending at least partially in the height of the second connector 210. In the depicted embodiment, the holes extend for the entire height of the second connector 210. A threaded portion of the screw 220 extends into the corresponding hole of the second connector 210 and the corresponding hole of the connector 200 and engages with the corresponding threads provided in these holes. Upon coupling the connector 200 with the second connector 210, the second faces 208 and 212 of the connector 200 and the second connector 210, respectively, contact each other. Further, the groove 208a of the connector 200 aligns with the groove 212a of the second connector 210 such that they form an aperture. The aperture is configured to receive the bush 150, thereby establishing the coupling between the pair of support assemblies 140 and the pair of coupling assemblies 160.
[0036] Medial faces of the connectors 200 and the second connectors 210 are configured to contact the surface of the bone. The connectors 200 and the second connectors 210 are configured to exert pressure on the bone and guide the bone growth in a specific direction, thereby controlling the unwanted growth of the bone. The connectors 200 and the second connectors 210 may be made of any suitable biocompatible material such as, without limitation, titanium alloy, stainless steel, cobalt, chromium, alloy, etc. In an embodiment, the connectors 200 and the second connectors 210 are made of titanium alloy.
[0037] An exemplary use of the implant 100 for correcting limb length discrepancies (LLD) in children is described below. It should be appreciated though that the teaching of the present disclosure can be applied for correcting various other bone growth deformities, e.g., rotational deformities, in children and/or adolescents without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure. For correcting the LLD, a procedure called epiphysiodesis is performed that involves inhibiting the growth of a bone by selectively targeting the growth centers in a longer limb (e.g., femur). Fig. 5 depicts a flowchart of a method 500 of fixating the implant 100 with a bone 600 (depicted in Fig. 6) during the epiphysiodesis procedure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Though only one implant 100 is shown, it is possible that more than one implant 100 may be implanted at desired locations based upon requirements.
[0038] At step 502, the surgeon drills the bone 600 at desired locations, for example, in this case, one drill across the epiphyseal plate and another drill across the metaphyseal plate, as shown in Fig. 6, to create a channel of desired dimensions.
[0039] At step 504, the shaft 142 of each of the pair of support assemblies 140 is inserted into the respective channel. Only one support assembly 140 is depicted in Fig. 6 for reasons of clarity.
[0040] At step 506, the fasteners 146 are anchored with the bone 600. For example, each fastener 146 is drilled into the bone 600 using a suitable instrument such that the shank 146b of the fastener 146 resides with the lumen 142c of the corresponding shaft 142. This ensures optimal fixation and adherence of the fasteners 146 to the bone 600.
[0041] At step 508, the first portion 146a1 of the head 146a of each fastener 146 is coupled with the respective bush 150. The threads provided on the first portion 146a1 of the fasteners 146 mate with the threads 150a of the bush 150, as shown in Fig. 4.
[0042] At step 510, the pair of coupling assemblies 160 are coupled to the pair of support assemblies 140. The stretchability and flexibility of the resilient element 162 and the tube 172 enable healthcare practitioners to adjust the gap between the support assemblies 140 based on specific anatomy of the patient and allow accurate positioning of the support assemblies 140 while accommodating the natural contours of the bone, as shown in Fig. 6. For example, one coupling assembly 160 is placed such that a groove 208a of one connector 200 (e.g., the connector 200 towards the top side 100c of the implant 100) of the coupling assembly 160 partially encloses the corresponding bush 150. The surgeon then places the other connector 200 (e.g., the connector 200 towards the bottom side 100d of the implant 100) such that a groove 208a of the other connector 200 partially encloses the corresponding bush 150. The flexibility of the tubes 172 and the resilient elements 162 allows the surgeon to compress, stretch and/or bends the tubes 172 as needed to ensure proper placement of the connectors 200 irrespective of the anatomy of the target bone 600. Each of the second connectors 210 is then placed such that the groove 212a of the second connector 210 encloses the remaining portion of the bush 150 and the second face 212 of the second connector 210 mates with the second face 208 of the corresponding connector 200. The second connectors 210 are coupled with the corresponding connectors 200 with the help of the screws 220. Similarly, the other coupling assembly 160 is coupled to the pair of support assemblies 140. Thus, the implant 100 is securely fixated with the bone 600.
[0043] Faces of the connectors 200 and the second connectors 210 disposed adjacent to the epiphyseal and the metaphyseal regions exert pressure on the bone 600 and inhibit unwanted growth of the bone 600. Thus, by specifically controlling (or modulating) the growth of the bone 600 at the specific region(s), the deformity of the bone is corrected.
[0044] At the same time, the implant 100 allows natural growth of the bone 600 in transverse and longitudinal directions. For example, when the bone 600 grows in a transverse direction, the shanks 146b of the fasteners 146 move within the lumen 142c of the corresponding shaft 142 in a lateral direction. Even though the first portions 146a1 of the fasteners 146 are fixedly anchored with the bone 600, the flexibility of the tubes 172 and the resilient elements 162 allows the connectors 200 to move laterally, which still maintaining the overall stability and strength of the implant 100. Thus, the implant 100 accommodates the natural transversal growth of the bone 600 and prevents the need of replacing the fasteners 146 and/or the implant 100 in contrast to the conventional implants, which require frequent replacement surgeries. Further, during the longitudinal growth of the bone 600, the orientation of the pair of support assemblies 140 is stabilized by the pair of coupling assemblies 160. The pair of resilient elements 162 of the pair of coupling assemblies 160 gradually expands, and the tubes 172 surrounding the resilient elements 162, being flexible, are also stretched. Thus, the pair of coupling assemblies 160 maintain the relative orientation between the pair of support assemblies 140, thereby stabilizing the pair of support assemblies 140 and accommodating the longitudinal growth.
[0045] The proposed implant presents several advantages over the conventional implant. For example, the proposed implant can be implanted at any suitable location based upon procedural requirements irrespective of the anatomy of the targeted bone. Further, the proposed implant prevents unwanted bone growth. Moreover, the proposed implant allows a natural bone growth in transverse and/or longitudinal direction in a controlled manner without affecting the stability and functionality of the proposed implant. This improves longevity of the implant and prevents replacement surgeries. Consequently, overall patient outcome is improved.
[0046] The scope of the invention is only limited by the appended patent claims. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the teachings of the present invention is/are used. , Claims:WE CLAIM
1. An orthopedic implant (100) comprising:
a. a pair of support assemblies (140), each of the pair of support assemblies (140) comprising:
b. a shaft (142) configured to be disposed within a bone, the shaft (142) comprising a lumen (142c);
c. a pair of fasteners (146), each fastener (146) of the pair of fasteners (146) comprising a shank (146b), at least a portion of the shank (146b) configured to be disposed within the lumen (142c) of the shaft (142) and a head (146a) comprising a first portion (146a1) coupled to a bush (150) and a second portion (146a2) configured to be anchored to the bone; and
d. a pair of coupling assemblies (160) operatively coupled to the pair of support assemblies (140), each of the pair of coupling assemblies (160) comprising:
e. at least one tube (172) made of a flexible, biocompatible material;
f. at least one resilient element (162) disposed within the at least one tube (172); and
g. a pair of connectors (200) coupled to the at least one tube (172) and the at least one resilient element (162), each connector (200) of the pair of connectors (200) coupled to a respective bush (150).
2. The orthopedic implant (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one tube (172) comprises a pair of tubes (172) and the at least one resilient element (162) comprises a pair of resilient elements (162).
3. The orthopedic implant (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shaft (142) is provided with threads (143) on an inner surface of the shaft (142).
4. The orthopedic implant (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bush (150) includes an opening having threads (150a) provided on an inner surface of the opening, the threads (150a) configured to engage with corresponding threads provided on an outer surface of the second portion (146a2).
5. The orthopedic implant (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a groove (208a) provided on a second face (208) of the connector (200) is configured to receive at least a portion of the bush (150).
6. The orthopedic implant (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each coupling assembly (160) comprises a pair of second connectors (210), each of the pair of second connectors (210) coupled to a respective connector (200).
7. The orthopedic implant (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein, when the connector (200) and the second connector (210) are coupled, a groove (212a) provided on a second face (212) of the second connector (210) and a groove (208a) provided on a second face of the connector (200) form an aperture configured to receive the bush (150).