Disposable articulated spacing device for surgical treatment of joints of the human body

Abstract

A disposable articulated spacing device for the treatment of joints of the human body, particularly for temporarily replacing an explanted joint prosthesis, comprises at least one first member able to be secured to a first articulation end and at least one second member able to be secured to the other articulation end, both said members being pre-formed and made entirely of biological compatible and porous material suitable to be added with pharmaceutical and therapeutical products. The pre-formed members are reciprocally coupled in an articulated manner to maintain a suitable joint space and at least a partial articulation for the time necessary to perform the further implantation of a joint prosthesis. The biologically compatible and porous material is chosen among metals, metallic alloys, organo-metals, ceramics, glasses, plastics materials, bone cements and combinations thereof. The articulated spacing device maintains a suitable space in the joint seat while allowing considerable articulated mobility, and re-establishes suitable conditions of implantation of a new permanent joint prosthesis.

1 . A disposable articulated spacing device for the treatment of joints of the human body, particularly for temporary replacing an explanted permanent joint prosthesis, comprising at least one first member ( 2 ) able to be secured to a first articulation end and at least one second member ( 3 ) able to be secured to a second a articulation end, both said members ( 2 , 3 ) being pre-formed and made entirely of biological compatible and porous material suitable to be added with pharmaceutical and therapeutical products, said pre-formed members ( 2 ,  3 ) being able to be reciprocally coupled in an articulated manner to maintain a suitable joint space and at least partial articulated mobility for the time necessary to perform the further implantation of a new permanent joint prosthesis, characterized in that said pre-formed members ( 2 , 3 ) are initially free of pharmaceutical and therapeutical products, said pre-formed members ( 2 ,  3 ) having a porosity in their base material or suitable cavities formed on their outer surfaces adapted to be filled with pharmaceutical and therapeutical products in the form of liquid solutions added to the pre-formed members ( 2 ,  3 ) immediately prior of implantation thereof either by direct contact and absorption or by insertion thereof in said suitable cavities.  
     
     
         2 . Spacing device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said biologically compatible and porous material is chosen among metals, metallic alloys, organo-metals, ceramics, glasses, plastics materials, bone cements and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         3 . Spacing device according to  claim 2 , characterized in that said plastics material may be chosen among thermoplastic polymers, such as acrylic resins, polyethylene, polypropylene, thermoformable e.g. by blow moulding or injection moulding.  
     
     
         4 . Spacing device according to  claim 2 , characterized in that plastics material are chosen among cold-formable resins.  
     
     
         5 . Spacing device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said biological compatible and porous material is a bone cement.  
     
     
         6 . Spacing device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said pharmaceutical and therapeutical products are chosen among active medical principals, antibiotics and radiopacifiers.  
     
     
         7 . Spacing device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said pre-formed members ( 2 ,  3 ) are configured so as to allow a roto-translatory movement of the condyles during the flexing/extending movement of the limb.  
     
     
         8 . Spacing device according to  claim 7 , characterized in that said pre-formed members ( 2 ,  3 ) have respective contact surfaces ( 8 ,  6 ) with a minimum coefficient of friction so as to allow a high degree of articular mobility.  
     
     
         9 . Spacing device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said pre-formed members ( 2 ,  3 ) are shaped in different sizes to be adapted to any patients.  
     
     
         10 . Spacing device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said pre-formed members ( 2 ,  3 ) are provided with anchoring means for attachment thereof to the joint ends.  
     
     
         11 . Spacing device according to  claim 10 , characterized in that said anchoring means consist of respective projections or rod-shaped distal portions ( 10 ,  11 ).  
     
     
         12 . Spacing device according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said pre-formed members ( 2 ,  3 ) are securable to said joint ends with bone cement.  
     
     
         13 . Spacing device according to one or more of the preceding claims, particularly for knee joint, characterized in that said pre-formed members ( 2 ,  3 ) comprises a femoral member ( 3 ) and a tibial member ( 2 ).  
     
     
         14 . Spacing device according to  claim 13 , characterized in that said femoral member ( 3 ) consists of a first body ( 4 ) substantially in the shape of a shell to reproduce femoral condyles and that said tibial member ( 2 ) consists of a second body ( 7 ) of substantially prismatic shape with predetermined thickness to replace the resected tibial flat portion.