Bone Fixation Implants

Abstract

A plating system is described that uses various configurations of bone fixation implants that are configured to be attached to one or more portions of bone. The bone fixation implant may include at least one structural portion (e.g., a wire, plate, mesh, etc.) that includes metal and a polymer body at least partially surrounding the at least one structural portion. The polymer body may define an engaging surface that is configured to engage an attachment member that is applied to the bone fixation implant to fix the bone fixation implant to the bone, such that direct contact between the metal of the structural portion and the attachment member is prevented. Overlying muscle and tissue may be secured to the bone fixation implant to encourage incorporation of the tissue structure into the implant and promote stabilization and healing.

1 . A bone fixation implant configured to be attached to one or more portions of bone of a chest wall, the bone fixation implant having a bone-engaging surface and a muscle or soft tissue-engaging surface opposite the bone-engaging surface, wherein the bone fixation implant defines a plurality of openings arranged across an overall length and an overall width of the bone fixation implant and extending through the bone-engaging surface and the muscle or soft tissue engaging surface,
 wherein each opening is configured to receive an attachment member for securing the bone fixation implant to an underlying bone structure of the chest wall such that the bone-engaging surface of the bone fixation implant engages the underlying bone structure of the chest wall, and   wherein the bone fixation implant is configured to be secured to an overlying muscle or soft tissue structure such that the muscle or soft tissue-engaging surface of the bone fixation implant engages the overlying muscle or soft tissue structure, thereby encouraging incorporation of the muscle or soft tissue structure into the bone fixation implant to promote stabilization of the underlying bone structure of the chest wall during healing.   
     
     
         2 . The bone fixation implant of  claim 1 , wherein the muscle or soft tissue-engaging surface comprises a plurality of enclosed channels extending substantially parallel to the bone fixation implant, wherein each enclosed channel defines a first open end and a second open end, and wherein each enclosed channel is configured to receive a suturing needle therethrough via the first and second open ends, such that the overlying muscle or soft tissue structure is securable to the bone fixation implant using sutures extending from the tissue structure through at least one of the enclosed channels. 
     
     
         3 . The bone fixation implant of  claim 2 , wherein the enclosed channels are arranged at different angles with respect to one another. 
     
     
         4 . The bone fixation implant of  claim 2  further comprising:
 at least one structural portion comprising metal; and 
 a polymer body at least partially surrounding the at least one structural portion, 
 wherein the polymer body defines an overall shape of the bone fixation implant comprising the overall width, the overall length, and an overall thickness, 
 wherein the polymer body defines the openings, such that direct contact between the metal of the structural portion and the attachment member is prevented, and 
 wherein the polymer body defines the bone-engaging surface, the muscle or soft tissue-engaging surface, and the enclosed channels such that direct contact between the metal of the structural portion and any of the bone structure of the chest wall, the muscle or soft tissue-structure, or the sutures is prevented. 
 
     
     
         5 . The bone fixation implant of  claim 1 , wherein the bone fixation implant comprises polyether ether ketone (PEEK). 
     
     
         6 . The bone fixation implant of  claim 1  further comprising:
 at least one structural portion comprising metal; and 
 a polymer body at least partially surrounding the at least one structural portion, 
 wherein the polymer body defines an overall shape of the bone fixation implant comprising the overall width, the overall length, and an overall thickness, 
 wherein the polymer body defines the openings, such that direct contact between the metal of the structural portion and the attachment member is prevented, and 
 wherein the polymer body defines the bone-engaging surface and the muscle or soft tissue engaging surface such that direct contact between the metal of the structural portion and any of the bone structure of the chest wall or the muscle or soft tissue-structure is prevented. 
 
     
     
         7 . The bone fixation implant of  claim 6 , wherein the polymer body comprises polyether ether ketone (PEEK). 
     
     
         8 . The bone fixation implant of  claim 6 , wherein the structural portion comprises at least one of titanium, aluminum, stainless steel, or Nitinol. 
     
     
         9 . The bone fixation implant of  claim 6 , wherein the structural portion comprises at least one of a wire, a plate, or a mesh. 
     
     
         10 . The bone fixation implant of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the bone-engaging surface or the muscle or soft tissue-engaging surface defines a texture configured to enhance engagement of the bone fixation implant with the underlying bone structure of the chest wall or the overlying muscle or soft tissue structure, respectively. 
     
     
         11 . The bone fixation implant of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of eyelets extending outwardly from the muscle or soft tissue-engaging surface, wherein each eyelet is configured to receive a suturing needle therethrough, such that the overlying muscle or soft tissue structure is securable to the bone fixation implant using sutures extending from the tissue structure through at least one of the eyelets. 
     
     
         12 . The bone fixation implant of  claim 1 , wherein an overall thickness of the bone fixation implant at a rim of each opening is greater than the overall thickness in a region between adjacent openings. 
     
     
         13 . The bone fixation implant of  claim 12 , wherein the region between adjacent openings is configured to receive a suturing needle therethrough, such that the overlying muscle or soft tissue structure is securable to the bone fixation implant using sutures extending from the muscle or soft tissue structure through the region. 
     
     
         14 - 18 . (canceled)