Anisotropic Materials in Medical Devices

Abstract

A system and method for improving upon an ability of a surgeon to repair traumatic bone injury using new materials, components, and structures. A structure may be used as an implant or a component of an external fixator for a fractured long bone with that structure having anisotropic and viscoelastic properties, such as through additive manufacturing techniques.

1 . A method for producing a structural medical device configured for installation into a prepared cavity, comprising the steps of:
 a) manufacturing a body including a body portion sized for a pressfit fixation into the prepared cavity; and   b) disposing a framework within said body portion during said manufacturing step a)   wherein said framework includes a set of one or more structural elements configured to produce an anisotropic bulk material property in said body portion.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the prepared cavity includes an area of an acetabulum and wherein said body includes an acetabular cup. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said body portion includes a foundation layer of said acetabular cup. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said framework includes a first set of one or more structural elements and a second set of one or more structural elements, each set of structural elements disposed in different non-overlapping regions of said body portion. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein said first set of structural elements is different than said second set of structural elements. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4  wherein said body portion includes a surface, wherein said first set of structural elements are disposed beneath said surface, and wherein said second set of structural elements are disposed on said surface. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein said second set of structural elements includes at least a subset of structural elements selectively dissolvable within the prepared cavity and wherein a dissolution of said subset of structural elements is configured to alter said anisotropic bulk material property. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said framework includes a first set of one or more structural elements and a second set of one or more structural elements, each set of structural elements disposed in different non-overlapping regions of said acetabular cup. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said first set of structural elements is different than said second set of structural elements. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said body portion includes a surface, wherein said first set of structural elements are disposed beneath said surface, and wherein said second set of structural elements are disposed on said surface. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said second set of structural elements includes at least a subset of structural elements selectively dissolvable within the prepared cavity and wherein a dissolution of said subset of structural elements is configured to alter said anisotropic bulk material property. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the prepared cavity includes a channel prepared in a long bone and wherein said body includes a stem. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said body portion includes a foundation layer of said stem. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said framework includes a first set of one or more structural elements and a second set of one or more structural elements, each set of structural elements disposed in different non-overlapping regions of said stem. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said first set of structural elements is different than said second set of structural elements. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said body portion includes a surface, wherein said first set of structural elements are disposed beneath said surface, and wherein said second set of structural elements are disposed on said surface. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said second set of structural elements includes at least a subset of structural elements selectively dissolvable within the prepared cavity and wherein a dissolution of said subset of structural elements is configured to alter said anisotropic bulk material property. 
     
     
         18 . The method claim of  1  wherein said step of manufacturing includes operating an additive manufacturing process configured to manufacture at least a portion of said body.