Rim anchoring systems for flexible surgical implants for replacing cartilage

Abstract

Flexible cartilage-replacing implants are disclosed that use either or both of (1) enlarged peripheral rim components, and/or (2) elongated flexible reinforcing members that are embedded around the peripheral edge of an implant device. These types of anchoring devices, especially when used in combination, can provide flexible implants that can be implanted arthroscopically into synovial joints, for complete replacement of damaged cartilage segments.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A flexible implant for repairing damaged meniscal cartilage in an articulating mammalian joint comprising:
 a flexible molded polymeric component having at least one smooth and lubricious articulating surface; at least one peripheral edge which contains an elongated flexible reinforcing member embedded therein; and, a plurality of tissue anchoring components coupled to said elongated flexible reinforcing member;   wherein said flexible implant is a meniscal implant, sized and shaped to replace meniscal cartilage, and comprises a smooth and lubricious lower surface, sized and shaped to articulate in contact with a tibial plateau, wherein said lower surface is bounded and defined by a first arcuate interior edge, a second arcuate peripheral edge, and opposing tips where said first and second arcuate edges meet,   wherein said second arcuate peripheral edge has at least one elongated flexible reinforcing member embedded therein, and   wherein said elongated flexible reinforcing member has opposing ends which are each coupled to an anchoring component.   
     
     
         16 . The flexible meniscal implant of  claim 15 , which also comprises: a smooth and lubricious upper articulating surface, sized and shaped to articulate in contact with a femoral runner, after implantation; an arcuate peripheral surface, sized and shaped to contact soft tissue in a knee capsule, after implantation; and, an arcuate upper edge of said flexible where said upper articulating surface and said arcuate peripheral surface meet; wherein an elongated flexible reinforcing member is one of coupled to and embedded within said arcuate upper edge, and wherein a plurality of tissue anchoring components are coupled to said elongated flexible reinforcing member. 
     
     
         17 . The flexible meniscal implant of  claim 16 , wherein said elongated flexible reinforcing member that is one of coupled to and embedded within said arcuate upper edge has at least one end which can be anchored directly to bone or soft tissue. 
     
     
         18 . The flexible meniscal implant of  claim 16 , wherein said elongated flexible reinforcing member that is one of coupled to and embedded within said arcuate upper edge has at least one end which is coupled to said elongated flexible lower reinforcing member. 
     
     
         19 . The flexible meniscal implant of  claim 16  wherein each of said lower and upper reinforcing members is made of a material selected from the group consisting of: a shape-memory alloy having at least one temperature-dependent physical or behavioral characteristic; a shape-memory polymer having at least one temperature-dependent physical or behavioral characteristic; a super-elastic material; a multi-stranded cable. 
     
     
         20 . The flexible meniscal implant of  claim 16 , wherein the implant can be flexed and deformed, without requiring tools and without suffering damage, into an elongated shape having a width of about 75% or less of its relaxed width. 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . An implant device for repairing damaged cartilage in a mammalian joint, said implant device being a meniscal implant sized and shaped to replace meniscal cartilage, comprising:
 a smooth and lubricious lower surface sized and shaped to articulate in contact with a tibial plateau, said lower surface being bounded and defined by an arcuate interior edge, an arcuate peripheral edge and opposing tips where said arcuate interior and arcuate peripheral edges meet;   a smooth and lubricious upper articulating surface, sized and shaped to articulate in contact with a femoral runner, after implantation;   an arcuate peripheral surface, sized and shaped to contact soft tissue in a knee capsule, after implantation; and   an arcuate upper edge where said upper articulating surface and said arcuate peripheral surface meet;   at least one lower elongated reinforcing member embedded in said arcuate peripheral edge; and,   at least one tissue anchoring component coupled to said elongated reinforcing member;   wherein an upper elongated reinforcing member having a plurality of tissue anchoring components coupled thereto is one of coupled to and embedded within said arcuate upper edge.   
     
     
         23 . The implant device of  claim 22 , wherein said at least one tissue anchoring components is selected from a group consisting of:
 a protrusion that will extend into a prepared hole in a bone surface;   a component that can be secured to a head of a bone screw;   one or more strands of wire;   one or more strands of suture material;   a segment of reinforcing mesh that is partially embedded within the molded polymeric component and which extends out of said molded polymeric component in at least one location; and,   at least one eyelet device, each provided with an aperture.   
     
     
         24 . The implant device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one said reinforcing member is made of a material selected from the group consisting of:
 a shape-memory alloy having at least one temperature-dependent physical or behavioral characteristic;   a shape-memory polymer having at least one temperature-dependent physical or behavioral characteristic;   a super-elastic material;   a multi-stranded cable; and,   a high-strength polymer.   
     
     
         25 . The implant device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the implant can be flexed and deformed, without requiring tools and without suffering damage, into an elongated shape having a width of about 75% or less of its relaxed width. 
     
     
         26 . The implant device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said upper elongated reinforcing member that is coupled to or embedded within said arcuate upper edge has at least one end which can be anchored directly to bone or soft tissue. 
     
     
         27 . The implant device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said upper elongated reinforcing member that is coupled to or embedded within said arcuate upper edge has at least one end which is coupled to said elongated lower reinforcing member.