Abstract:
Embodiments of bony region stabilization implants including multiple fenestrations and bony ingrowth materials are described generally herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Various implant embodiments described herein relate generally to stabilizing mammalian bony segments, including fenestrated implants to stabilize one or more mammalian bony segments. 
     BACKGROUND INFORMATION 
     It may be desirable to stabilize one or more bony segments via one or more implants, the present invention provides such implants. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a simplified diagram of mammalian bony segment stabilization architecture according to various embodiments. 
         FIG. 2A  is a simplified, isometric front view of a mammalian bony segment stabilization implant according to various embodiments. 
         FIG. 2B  is a simplified, isometric X-Y sectional front view of a mammalian bony segment stabilization implant according to various embodiments. 
         FIG. 2C  is a simplified, isometric Y-Z sectional front view of a mammalian bony segment stabilization implant according to various embodiments. 
         FIG. 2D  is a simplified, isometric X-Z sectional front view of a mammalian bony segment stabilization implant according to various embodiments. 
         FIG. 2E  is a simplified, side view of a mammalian bony segment stabilization implant according to various embodiments. 
         FIG. 2F  is a simplified, partial view of a mammalian bony segment stabilization implant top and bottom teeth according to various embodiments. 
         FIG. 2G  is a simplified, top view of a mammalian bony segment stabilization implant according to various embodiments. 
         FIG. 2H  is a simplified, front view of a mammalian bony segment stabilization implant according to various embodiments. 
         FIG. 2I  is a simplified, rear view of a mammalian bony segment stabilization implant according to various embodiments. 
         FIG. 2J  is a simplified, partial view of a mammalian bony segment stabilization implant side protrusions according to various embodiments. 
         FIG. 2K  is a simplified, isometric front view of a mammalian bony segment stabilization implant including radio opaque elements according to various embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  is a simplified diagram of a mammalian bony segment stabilization architecture  220  according to various embodiments. The architecture  220  includes one or more implants  10  inserted between bony regions  222  at multiple levels. In an embodiment one or more implants  10  may be inserted laterally as shown between the top, two bony regions  222 . In another embodiment one or more implants  10  may be inserted posteriorally as shown between the bottom, two bony regions  222 . Further one or more implants  10  may be inserted laterally and one or more implants  10  may be inserted posteriorally between two bony regions  222 . Additionally the implants  10  may inserted at any angle between two bony regions  222  as a function of anatomy adjacent to the two bony regions  222 . 
       FIG. 2A  is a simplified, isometric front view of a mammalian bony segment stabilization implant  10  according to various embodiments. In an embodiment the implant has an elongated shape including a front  16 , first side  24 , second side  22 , rear  18 , top  12 , and bottom  14 . The implant  10  may include a large central fenestration extending from the top surface  12  to the bottom surface  14 . The implant  10  may include partial fenestrations or porous openings  36  spaced periodically along the top and bottom surfaces  12 ,  14 . The implant  10  may further include fenestrations or porous openings  32 ,  34 A,  34 B along one or more axis where one or more radio opaque markers  84 ,  82 A,  82 B ( FIG. 2K ). 
     The implant  10  may further include partial or full lateral (along X-Axis) fenestrations or porous openings  38  in the side walls  12 ,  14  extending to the central fenestration or opening  37 . The implant  10  may further include several larger fenestrations or openings  42 ,  44 ,  46  extending through each side wall  12 ,  14  to the central fenestration  37 . The fenestration or opening  42  may be V-shaped and the fenestrations or openings  44 ,  46  may be arrow shaped in an embodiment. The implant  10  top  12  and bottom surfaces  14  may include a plurality of racked teeth  52 . The implant  10  side surfaces  22 ,  24  may include a plurality of protrusions  62 . 
     In an embodiment the implant front surface  16  may have sloped surfaces  15  coupling the front surface  16  to the top and bottom  12 ,  14  surfaces (FIG.  2 E). In addition the implant rear surface  18  may also have sloped surfaces  17  coupling the rear surface  18  to the top and bottom  12 ,  14  surfaces. In an embodiment the implant  10  may be sized to be inserted between two lumbar vertebra. In an embodiment the implant&#39;s maximum height between the top surface  12  and bottom surface  14  may be about 8 mm. The implant&#39;s maximum length between the front surface  16  and rear surface  18  may be about 26 mm. In such an embodiment the fenestrations or porous openings  32 ,  34 A, and  34 B may have a diameter of about 1 mm, the fenestrations or porous openings  36 ,  38  may have a diameter of about 0.25 mm. The central fenestration  37  may have a maximum length of about 16 mm and a maximum width of about 5 mm. The fenestration  37  ends may a radius of about 2.5 mm. 
     In an embodiment the front surfaces  15  may have a slope of about 25 degrees. Further the top and bottom surfaces  12 ,  14  may have an effective radius of about 46 mm. The implant  10  rear surface  18  may have a tool interface  74  including a threaded section  72  ( FIG. 2I ). In an embodiment the depth and height of the tool opening may be 2 mm and the threaded section  72  may have a diameter about 4 mm with a total depth of about 4 mm. The fenestrations or porous openings  36  on the top  12  and bottom  14  surfaces and fenestrations  38  or openings on the sides  22 ,  24  may have a spacing about 1.25 mm vertically and horizontally from each adjacent fenestration. 
     The implant  10  top  12  and bottom  14  surfaces may have teeth ( FIG. 2F ). In an embodiment the teeth  52  may be spaced about 1.4 mm apart and have a height of about 0.6 mm. The teeth  52  surface  53  may have reverse rack (relative to the implant  10  front  16 ) of about 52 degrees (obtuse) and the surface  54  having an acute angle relative to normal. 
     In an embodiment the implant  10  may be include a radio lucent material including polymers/thermoplastics such as PEEK (Polyetheretherketone). The radio markers may include radio opaque materials including metal alloys such as titanium and tantalum. As noted the implant  10  includes a large central fenestration  37 , side fenestrations  38 , and top and bottom surface fenestrations  36 . The fenestrations or porous openings  36 ,  37 ,  38  may enable bony in-growth in the implant  10 . The implant  10  material may include a bone growth activator or bio-active elements including a calcium based hydroxylapatite or hydroxyapatite. The implant  10  surfaces  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  22 ,  24  and fenestration or porous opening  36 ,  37 ,  38  surfaces may be coated with a bio-active element or coatings including a hydroxyapatite to encourage bony growth between a bony surface  222  and an implant  10 . The entire implant  10  may be coated with one or more bio-active elements including a hydroxyapatite. 
       FIG. 2B  is a simplified, isometric X-Y sectional front view of the mammalian bony segment stabilization implant  10  according to various embodiments. As shown in  FIG. 2B  the side fenestrations  38  may extend from a side surface  22 ,  24  to the central fenestration  37 .  FIG. 2C  is a simplified, isometric Y-Z sectional front view of the mammalian bony segment stabilization implant  10  according to various embodiments. As shown in  FIG. 2C  the fenestration  32  may extend through the implant  10  and the fenestrations  34 A,  34 B may extend from the top  12  and bottom  14  surfaces respectively to the tool engagement  74  thread  72 . 
       FIG. 2D  is a simplified, isometric X-Z sectional front view of the mammalian bony segment stabilization implant  10  according to various embodiments. As shown in  FIG. 2D , the side fenestrations  38 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46  may extend from a side surface  22 ,  24  to the central fenestration  37 .  FIG. 2E  is a simplified, left side view  24  of the mammalian bony segment stabilization implant  10  according to various embodiments. As shown in  FIG. 2E  the side surfaces  22 ,  24  include a diamond knurl pattern  62  on a substantial section and racked teeth  52  along the top  12  and bottom  14  surfaces. 
       FIG. 2F  is a simplified, partial view of the mammalian bony segment stabilization implant  10  top  12  and bottom  14  teeth  52  according to various embodiments. The teeth  52  has a forward surface  53  and back surface  54  where the surfaces form a reverse rack relative the implant  10  front  16  to limit or prevent implant movement toward the rear surface  18  after implantation between bony segments  222  to be stabilized.  FIG. 2G  is a simplified, top  12  view of the mammalian bony segment stabilization implant  10  according to various embodiments. As shown in  FIG. 2G  the implant  10  includes a large central fenestration  37 , radio opaque marker fenestrations  32 ,  34 A, and plurality of partial, surface fenestrations or openings  36 . 
       FIG. 2H  is a simplified, front view  16  of the mammalian bony segment stabilization implant  10  according to various embodiments. As shown in  FIG. 2H , the implant  10  front  16  includes sloped ends or surfaces  15  that may a user to distract a bony segment pair  222  when the implant  10  is inserted between the pair.  FIG. 2I  is a simplified, rear  18  view of the mammalian bony segment stabilization implant  10  according to various embodiments. As shown in  FIG. 2I  the implant  10  rear section  18  may include a tool recess  74  including a threaded section  72  to enable a user to releasably engage the implant  10  for insertion or removal between a bony segment  222  pair. 
       FIG. 2J  is a simplified, partial view of the mammalian bony segment stabilization implant  10  side  22 ,  24  protrusions  62  according to various embodiments. As shown in  FIG. 2J  the side protrusions  62  may form a diamond knurl pattern where each protrusion  62  has a four-sided  63 ,  64 ,  65 ,  66  pyramid shape. As also shown side fenestrations  38  may be formed in some protrusions  62  where the fenestrations  38  may enable bony in-growth.  FIG. 2K  is a simplified, isometric front view of the mammalian bony segment stabilization implant  10  including radio opaque elements or markers  82 A,  82 B,  84  according to various embodiments. The radio opaque elements or markers  82 A,  82 B,  84  may be inserted into implant  10  fenestrations  34 A,  34 B, and  32 , respectively to enable a user to determine implant  10  placement between bony segments  222  via a radio wave generation device. It is noted that the implant  10  may be comprised of any biocompatible material including bone, polymers, and metals. 
     The accompanying drawings that form a part hereof show, by way of illustration and not of limitation, specific embodiments in which the subject matter may be practiced. The embodiments illustrated are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the teachings disclosed herein. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. This Detailed Description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of various embodiments is defined only by the appended claims, along with the full range of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. 
     Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred to herein individually or collectively by the term “invention” merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of this application to any single invention or inventive concept, if more than one is in fact disclosed. Thus, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. 
     The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b), requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In the foregoing Detailed Description, various features are grouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted to require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, inventive subject matter may be found in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment.