Implants for Altering Wear Patterns of Articular Surfaces

Abstract

Methods and devices for correcting wear pattern defects in joints. The methods and devices described herein allow for the restoration of correcting abnormal biomechanical loading conditions in a joint brought on by wear pattern defects, and also can, in embodiments, permit correction of proper kinematic movement.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of repairing a joint of a patient, comprising:
 a. obtaining image data associated with the joint;   b. determining a wear pattern associated with the joint based, at least in part, on the image data; and   c. selecting an implant model or implant component models based, at least in part, on the wear pattern.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the image data is derived from one or more techniques selected from the group consisting of arthroscopy, arthrotomic examination, gait analysis, and imaging analysis. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the image data is received via a computer network. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the wear pattern is determined automatically. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein selecting an implant model or implant component models is based, at least in part, on the area of the wear pattern or areas adjacent to a wear pattern. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein selecting an implant model or implant component models includes determining a material thickness of the implant or implant component models based, as least in part, on the wear pattern. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein selecting an implant model or implant component models includes determining a shape of the implant or implant component models based, as least in part, on the wear pattern. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein determining the shape includes determining a convexity and/or concavity of at least one surface of the implant or implant component models based, at least in part, on the wear pattern. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein determining the shape includes one of increasing matching shape between two mating articular surfaces, and decreasing matching of shape between two mating articular surfaces, based on the wear pattern. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein selecting an implant model or implant component models includes selecting from a library of pre-manufactured implants. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising making patient-specific modifications to the selected implant or implant component models. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein making patient-specific modifications to the selected implant or implant component models includes polishing; milling; machining; casting; rapid protocasting; laser sintering; laser melting, and/or electro abrasion. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein obtaining image data includes obtaining electronic data regarding motion of the joint of the patient, wherein the data includes information regarding existing geometry or kinematics of the joint of the patient, and/or wherein the data includes information regarding geometry or kinematics of a class of patients. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the joint of the patient is a hip joint, a knee joint, an ankle joint, an elbow joint, a shoulder joint, or a spinal joint of the patient. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising providing the selected implant or implant component models for implantation in the patient. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising implanting the implant or implant component models in the patient.