Patent ID: 7867426
Filing Date: 2011-01-11
Classification: A61F,B29C,B29L,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A method of forming for a patient an adjustable length, surgical implant made from a bone cement, said method comprising: (a) connecting three or more disposable mold segments to approximate the length of surgical implant needed for the patient, each mold segment being made from an opaque material and having an elongated channel through which the bone cement will be fed and an implant reinforcement member will be inserted after partial mold filling with the bone cement; (b) aligning the elongated channels of adjacent connected mold segments; (c) positioning at least one mold centralizer on the reinforcement member sized for fitting within the connected mold segments; (d) mixing the bone cement; (e) pouring a first quantity of the bone cement through the aligned, elongated channels of and into the connected mold segments; (f) fitting the reinforcement member and mold centralizer through the aligned, elongated channels for substantially centering the reinforcement member within the connected mold segments before they are completely filled with the bone cement and fully encompass the reinforcement member therein; (g) pouring a second quantity of the bone cement about the reinforcement member to substantially fill the connected mold segments; (h) curing the bone cement; and (i) removing the mold segments from about the cured bone cement to form the surgical implant that was adjusted in length for the patient.