Composite Metal and Bone Orthopedic Fixation Devices

Abstract

Composite orthopedic devices that facilitate spine stabilization, such as: bone screws, rods, plates, interbodies, and corpectomy cages are disclosed. They are designed to provide both strength and load carrying capabilities, while increasing bio-integration of the devices with the surrounding bone tissue. They are constructed of composite layers of allograft and/or autograft bone and a structural material, such as titanium alloy or carbon/graphite fiber composite. Cannulations within the device are loaded with a mixture of stem cells, particles of allograft and/or autograft bone, and bone growth factors, such as BMP-2. The cannulations are connected to the surface of the device via multiple fenestrations that provide pathways to supply the bone/stem cell mixture to the surface, allowing living bone tissue to grow and insure bio-integration. The devices can also have radiofrequency (RF) stimulation implantation within the structure of the implanted device, capable of responding to external RF stimulation of enhanced bone growth.

1 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A composite orthopedic rod for use in a surgical procedure comprising a shaft having a first end and a second end wherein the shaft defines a cannulation extending along at least a portion of the length of the shaft;
 wherein the cannulated portion of the shaft contains at least one fenestration,   wherein the rod is constructed of a material comprising allograft and/or autograft bone and a metal or metal alloy.   
     
     
         13 . The rod according to  claim 15 , wherein the rod is constructed of a material comprising a core and two layers; wherein the core is allograft and/or autograft bone, the middle layer is a metal or metal alloy, and the outermost layer is allograft and/or autograft bone. 
     
     
         14 . The rod according to  claim 15 , wherein the rod is constructed of a material comprising about 50% allograft and/or autograft bone and about 50% metal or metal alloy. 
     
     
         15 . The rod according to  claim 15 , wherein the metal or metal alloy is selected from the group consisting of titanium, cobalt-chromium, niobium alloy, and tantalum alloy. 
     
     
         16 . The rod according to  claim 15 , wherein the rod is coated with an antibiotic solution. 
     
     
         17 . The rod according to  claim 15 , wherein the cannulated portion of the shaft is filled with stem cells and allograft and/or autograft bone. 
     
     
         18 . The rod according to  claim 15 , wherein the titanium or metal products is replaced with carbon fiber product in exact ratio as described above with the titanium embodiment. 
     
     
         19 . The rod according to  claim 15 , further comprising radiofrequency stimulation implantation within the structure of the rod, capable of responding to external stimulation. 
     
     
         20 . A composite orthopedic rod for use in a surgical procedure comprising a shaft having a first end and a second end wherein the shaft defines a cannulation extending along at least a portion of the length of the shaft;
 wherein the cannulated portion of the shaft contains at least one fenestration; and   wherein the rod is constructed entirely of a carbon or graphite fiber reinforced composite material that essentially contains no metal or metal alloy.