Skeletal implant

Abstract

Skeletal implant of the type to be used to connect at least two elements of a skeleton. The skeletal implant includes a first part adapted to be connected to at least one of the at least two elements of the skeleton. A second part is adapted to be connected to another of the at least two elements of the skeleton. A variable volume element is adapted to move the first and second parts with respect to each other. A high-pressure chamber supplies fluid to the variable volume element. A low-pressure chamber receives fluid from the variable volume element. A recharging variable volume element is adapted to communicate with the high-pressure chamber and the low-pressure chamber. The recharging variable volume element is responsive to displacements of corporal parts of a user and recharges the high-pressure chamber with fluid. This Abstract is not intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

1 . A skeletal implant of the type to be used to connect at least two elements of a skeleton, the skeletal implant comprising: 
 a first part adapted to be connected to at least one of the at least two elements of the skeleton;    a second part adapted to be connected to another of the at least two elements of the skeleton;    a variable volume element adapted to move the first and second parts with respect to each other;    a high-pressure chamber supplying fluid to the variable volume element; and    a low-pressure chamber receiving fluid from the variable volume element; and    a recharging variable volume element adapted to communicate with the high-pressure chamber and the low-pressure chamber,    wherein the recharging variable volume element is responsive to displacements of corporal parts of a user and recharges the high-pressure chamber with fluid.    
     
     
         2 . The implant of  claim 1 , further comprising another variable volume element disposed in the high-pressure chamber.  
     
     
         3 . The implant of  claim 1 , further comprising a high-pressure valve allowing fluid to enter the variable volume element from the high-pressure chamber.  
     
     
         4 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the low-pressure chamber comprises a deformable impermeable sleeve.  
     
     
         5 . The implant of  claim 4 , further comprising a low-pressure valve allowing fluid to exit the variable volume element and enter the low-pressure chamber.  
     
     
         6 . The implant of  claim 1 , further comprising a third part having one end coupled to the first part and another end disposed between the variable volume element and the second part.  
     
     
         7 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the variable volume element comprises one end coupled to the first part and another end coupled to a third part.  
     
     
         8 . The implant of  claim 1 , further comprising a third part having a threaded opening which engages a threaded portion of the second part.  
     
     
         9 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the recharging variable volume element comprises one end that is coupled to a third part and another end that is coupled to the first part.  
     
     
         10 . The implant of  claim 9 , wherein the second part is rotatably coupled to at least one of the variable volume element and the third part.  
     
     
         11 . The implant of  claim 1 , further comprising a sealed bellows disposed in the high-pressure chamber.  
     
     
         12 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the recharging variable volume element comprises a metal bellows having one end coupled to the first part and another end coupled to a third part.  
     
     
         13 . The implant of  claim 1 , further comprising a sleeve defining a variable volume of the low-pressure chamber.  
     
     
         14 . The implant of  claim 1 , further comprising a high-pressure conduit connecting the variable volume element to the high-pressure chamber.  
     
     
         15 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the variable volume element comprises a metal bellows.  
     
     
         16 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first part and the second part comprises an opening which is adapted to receive a connecting member, whereby the connecting member connects the first or second part to one of the at least two elements of the skeleton.  
     
     
         17 . A skeletal implant of the type to be used to connect at least two elements of a skeleton, the skeletal implant comprising: 
 a first part adapted to be connected to at least one of the at least two elements of the skeleton;    a second part adapted to be connected to another of the at least two elements of the skeleton;    a variable volume element adapted to move the first and second parts with respect to each other;    a high-pressure chamber supplying fluid to the variable volume element; and    a low-pressure chamber receiving fluid from the variable volume element; and    a recharging variable volume element adapted to communicate with the high-pressure chamber and the low-pressure chamber,    wherein the implant is adapted to provide a damping effect with an adjustable coefficient of resistance.    
     
     
         18 . A skeletal implant of the type to be used to connect at least two elements of a skeleton, the skeletal implant comprising: 
 a first part adapted to be connected to at least one of the at least two elements of the skeleton;    a second part adapted to be connected to another of the at least two elements of the skeleton;    a variable volume element having a first end coupled to the first part and a second end, the variable volume element being adapted to move the first and second parts away from each other;    a third part having a first end coupled to the first part and a second end coupled to the second end of the variable volume element;    a high-pressure chamber supplying fluid to the variable volume element;    a low-pressure chamber receiving fluid from the variable volume element; and    a recharging variable volume element responsive to displacements of corporal parts of a user and recharging the high-pressure chamber with fluid.    
     
     
         19 . The implant of  claim 18 , wherein the recharging variable volume element includes a first end coupled to the first end of the third part and a second end coupled to the first part.  
     
     
         20 . The implant of  claim 19 , wherein the recharging variable volume element is adapted to communicate with at least one of the high-pressure chamber and the low-pressure chamber.  
     
     
         21 . The implant of  claim 18 , wherein the second part is rotatably coupled to at least one of the variable volume element and the third part.  
     
     
         22 . The implant of  claim 18 , further comprising a high-pressure valve allowing fluid to enter the variable volume element from the high-pressure chamber.  
     
     
         23 . The implant of  claim 18 , further comprising a low-pressure valve allowing fluid to exit the variable volume element and enter the low-pressure chamber.  
     
     
         24 . The implant of  claim 18 , wherein at least one of the first part and the second part comprises an opening which is adapted to receive a connecting member, whereby the connecting member connects the first or second part to one of the at least two elements of the skeleton.  
     
     
         25 . A skeletal implant of the type to be used to connect at least two elements of a skeleton, the skeletal implant comprising: 
 a first part adapted to be connected to at least one of the at least two elements of the skeleton;    a second part adapted to be connected to another of the at least two elements of the skeleton;    a variable volume element having a first end coupled to the first part and a second end, the variable volume element being adapted to move the first and second parts away from each other;    a third part having a first end coupled to the first part and a second end coupled to the second end of the variable volume element;    a high-pressure chamber supplying fluid to the variable volume element; and    a low-pressure chamber receiving fluid from the variable volume element,    wherein the implant is adapted to provide a damping effect with an adjustable coefficient of resistance.