Abstract:
The bio-bones prosthetics are designed to replace harvested bones from deceased tissue donors. Rigid bone replacement prosthetics offer structure and fill voids to provide a normal appearance to the donor. Each of the bio-bones prosthetics consist of rigid telescopic tubes, manufactured from bone colored polylactic acid, a biodegradeable material, making them ideal for both cremation and burial. They are extruded in slightly oval form, with the smaller units sliding inside the larger tubes, to provide continuous adjustment in length. A simple twist of the inner unit locks them in place. No foreign objects are need to secure them in place. This prevents any injuries to the users or cause any protrusions in the donors skin. The tubes are moldable, both prior to recovery and on-site allowing for a custom fit. Molded attachments are provided to secure the prosthetics in place.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]    This present invention relates to donor reconstruction post recovery. The deceased donor will have had extensive surgical procedures to remove their bones. Bio-Bones prosthetics are provided to replace the recovered bones and create a normal appearance for a funeral service. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Extensive surgery is necessary to recover bones for tissue donation. In order to provide a funeral service for the donor, the deceased will need to be reconstructed and provided with rigid support to the remaining limp tissue. 
         [0003]    Past solutions include broom sticks, PVC pipes and recently, wood and cardboard. All recent developments have an adjustable length &amp; some form of foreign fastening device. 
         [0004]    PVC pipes create toxic fumes during cremation. 
         [0005]    Metal fastenings are can be sharp, and create a safety hazard for users. 
         [0006]    Wooden pegs can be difficult to adjust, especially in moist areas. 
         [0007]    Cardboard designs run the risk of softening when wet. 
         [0008]    It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a family of bone replacement prosthetics for cadavers. 
         [0009]    It is another object of the invention to provide continuously adjustable prosthetics to precisely fit the body of the donor. 
         [0010]    It is another object of the invention to have these prosthetics easy and safe to use. 
         [0011]    It is another object of the invention to provide environmentally friendly materials. 
         [0012]    It is another object of the invention to not include any foreign materials. 
         [0013]    It is another object of the invention that the material is readily moldable, even on site by user. 
         [0014]    It is another object of the invention to provide a material that will biodegrade with the body in both cremation and burial. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    In accordance with the present invention, the bone replacement prosthetics include Upper Extremity for full arm, Humerus, Lower Extremity for full legs, Pelvic, Full Spine/Knee Block and Cervical/Lumbar. All units are continuously adjustable in length and a simple twist &amp; lock motion locks them in place. 
         [0016]    Continual adjustability allows for a perfect, secure fit, unlike with stepped adjustments, that limit the adjustments. There are no external locking devices to protrude through the skin. These features leave the limb with a more natural appearance. The muscular and other body fibers help to hold the prosthetics in place, and the lack of rigid fastening devices permits limb movement in the subsequent dressing process. 
         [0017]    The prosthetics are readily moldable, both before shipment and on site, allowing for a more precise fit. In some cases, pre-molded attachments are supplied for a quick &amp; accurate fit. These features are unique, and offer a custom fit. 
         [0018]    In some cases a securing device is necessary to hold the prosthetic in place in the donor. Pre-molded end caps with a protruding peg, are provided to accommodate this need. 
         [0019]    All prosthetics and pre-molded attachments are manufactured from sugar extracted from corn to make polylactic acid. This substance is readily extruded or molded, is rigid when cooled, but may be re-molded with boiling water. This is the same lactic acid that is found in muscle tissue of the human body, making them ideal for both burial and cremation. When cremation is selected for body disposal, no toxic gases will be released from these prosthetics. 
         [0020]    The end result of these features is a family of cadaver bone replacement prosthetics that provide an accurate fit, rigidity to otherwise limp tissue, safe and easy to use and are both burial &amp; cremation friendly. The result offers the donor a normal appearance for a funeral service. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]    A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when considered in conjunction with the subsequent, detailed description, in which: 
           [0022]      FIG. 1  is a front view of an overview of a skeleton showing the bio-bone prosthetics replacing a full arm, two full legs, a section of the lumbar spinal column and the pelvic area; 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  is a front view of an overview of a skeleton showing bio-bone prosthetics replacing the humerus on both arms, the lumbar spine, a full leg with molded femur head and ankle and a knee block on the other leg; 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the oval section of each extrusion. demonstrating the twist locking mechanism; 
           [0025]      FIG. 4  is a detail view of the separate bio-bone molded attachments, used in the assembly of different components; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 5  is a detail view of the assembled bio-bone components, layed out in a manner corresponding to the position used in a donor. 
       
    
    
       [0027]    For purposes of clarity and brevity, like elements and components will bear the same designations and numbering throughout the Figures. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0028]      FIG. 1  is a frontal view of a skeleton of a cadaver. The skeleton shows bones that have been removed and replaced with the bio-bones prosthetics. The full upper extremity  18  prosthetic includes an upper humerus  10  with a hand molded  42  end to create a humerus  10  head to fit into the shoulder socket, a middle flexible elbow  16  to allow flexibility in movement and a lower portion that replaces the Radius &amp; Ulna  48 . All components are circular and fit together with a twisting action into the circular flexible tubing. Length is adjusted by twisting closer together to make the system shorter or twisting further apart to increase the length. Both rigid tubes have an abrasive surface  40  to allow adjustments without slippage. 
         [0029]    A portion of the spinal column has been removed and replaced with the lumbar  36  prosthetic. This system includes a larger oval tube and a smaller oval tube that when fitted together can be adjusted in length by sliding to the desired length and then twisting them in opposite directions to squeeze the tubes together and provide a friction lock  46 . Each of the exposed ends of the tubes is fitted with a press fit peg that leaves an exposed pin that is used to secure the system in place by fitting them into the cavity of the remaining bones. Both rigid tubes have an abrasive surface  40  to allow adjustments without slippage. 
         [0030]    Both legs and the iliac crest have been removed and replaced with the lower extremity  24  prosthetics with molded ankle  28  and molded hip  22  attachments and the cross pelvic  20  prosthetic. The lower extremity  24  prosthetic includes two larger oval tubes  30  and two smaller oval tubes  30  that when fitted together can be adjusted in length by sliding to the desired length and then twisting them in opposite directions to squeeze the tubes together and provide a friction lock  46 . Each of the smaller tubes is fitted with a press fit molded ankle  28  to fill the void from the removed talus &amp; calcaneus. Each of the larger tubes is press fitted with a molded hip  22  attachment. Each of the hip attachments are then press fitted into the cross pelvic  20  to allow the entire system to be locked together. Both small and large rigid tubes in the lower extremity  24  prosthetics and the pelvic  20  have an abrasive surface  40  to allow adjustments without slippage. 
         [0031]    All tubings and moldings are produced using a surgical blue colored biological material made of polylactic acid  34 , thus providing a system that will degrade with the cadaver whether it is sent to burial or cremation and the blue color separates the Bio-Bones apart from other plastic prosthetics. 
         [0032]      FIG. 2  is a frontal view of a skeleton of a cadaver. The skeleton shows bones that have been removed and replaced with the bio-bones prosthetics. Both upper arms have been replaced. These humerus  10  prosthetics include a larger oval tube and a smaller oval tube that when fitted together can be adjusted in length by sliding to the desired length and then twisting them in opposite directions to squeeze the tubes together and provide a friction lock  46 . Each of the upper larger tubes have been hand molded  42  to create a humerus  10  head to fit into the shoulder socket. Both rigid tubes have an abrasive surface  40  to allow adjustments without slippage. 
         [0033]    A portion of the spinal column has been removed and replaced with the lumbar  36  prosthetic. This system includes a larger oval tube and a smaller oval tube that when fitted together can be adjusted in length by sliding to the desired length and then twisting them in opposite directions to squeeze the tubes together and provide a friction lock  46 . Each of the exposed ends of the tubes is fitted with a press fit peg that leaves an exposed peg that is used to secure the system in place by fitting them into the cavity in the ends of the remaining bones. Both rigid tubes have an abrasive surface  40  to allow adjustments without slippage. 
         [0034]    The knee portion of the left leg has been removed and replaced with the knee block  38  prosthetic. This system includes a larger oval tube and a smaller oval tube that when fitted together can be adjusted in length by sliding to the desired length and then twisting them in opposite directions to squeeze the tubes together and provide a friction lock  46 . Each of the exposed ends of the tubes is fitted with a press fit peg that leaves an exposed pin that is used to secure the system in place by fitting them into the cavity in the ends of the remaining bones. Both rigid tubes have an abrasive surface  40  to allow adjustments without slippage. 
         [0035]    The right leg has been removed and replaced with the lower extremity  24  prosthetic with a molded femur head to fit into the hip socket and a molded ankle  28  attachment. The lower extremity  24  prosthetic includes a larger oval tube and a smaller oval tube that when fitted together can be adjusted in length by sliding to the desired length and then twisting them in opposite directions to squeeze the tubes together and provide a friction lock  46 . The smaller tube is fitted with a press fit molded ankle  28  to fill the void from the removed talus &amp; calcaneus. The end of the larger tube has been hand molded  42  to fit into the hip socket. Both small and large rigid tubes in the lower extremity  24  prosthetic have an abrasive surface  40  to allow adjustments without slippage. 
         [0036]    All tubings and moldings are produced using a surgical blue colored biological material made of polylactic acid  34 , thus providing a system that will degrade with the cadaver whether it is sent to burial or cremation and the blue color separates the Bio-Bones apart from other plastic prosthetics. 
         [0037]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the oval tubes  30  section of each extrusion. The two extrusions are designed to have the smaller size slide inside of the larger size. When the units are twisted, relative to each other, the oval shape causes the two pieces to bind against each other, and the resulting friction locks them in place at the selected length. Each tube is supplied with an abrasive surface  40  to prevent any slippage during adjustments. The cross sectional drawing demonstrates the friction lock  46  that occurs during the twisting action. 
         [0038]      FIG. 4  is a detail of each of the attachments. The flexible elbow  16  shows the helix design that allows the round rigid tubing  44  to be twisted into place and secured with a simple friction fit in the full upper extremity  18 . The molded hip  22  attachment shows how the “H” ends press fit into the oval tubing to prevent them from twisting and will hold the attachment in only one direction in both the upper tubing of the lower extremity  24  and the cross pelvic  20 . The molded ankle  28  attachment has a “x” end that allows simple twisting to assure that it lines up correctly with the foot and fits into the lower tubes of the lower extremity  24 . Large molded peg  1   50  and molded peg  3   54  fits into the larger oval tube using an “x” to hold it in place and provides a peg to secure into the cavity space in the remaining bones and is used in the lumbar  36 , cervical  26 , spine  14  and knee block  38 . Small molded peg  2   52  and molded peg  4   56  fit into the smaller oval tube using an “x” to hold it in place and provides a peg to secure into the cavity space in the remaining bones and is used in the lumbar  36 , cervical  26 , spine  14  and knee block  38 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 5  is a frontal view of bio-bones prosthetics that comprise this patent application. This view displays the prosthetics as they would be placed in the donor. 
         [0040]    The right arm humerus  10  prosthetic displays the replacement of the upper arm. The humerus  10  is supplied with a hand molded  42  end to fit the shoulder socket and an abrasive surface  40  for securing in place. 
         [0041]    The left arm displays the full upper extremity  18  with flexible elbow  16 . The full upper extremity  18  is supplied with a hand molded  42  end to fit the shoulder socket and an abrasive surface  40  for securing in place. 
         [0042]    The full spine  14  demonstrates a replacement of the spinal column. The spine  14  prosthetic is provided with a large molded peg  3   54  and a small molded peg  4   56  to fit in each end and an abrasive surface  40  for securing in place. 
         [0043]    The knee block  38  displayed next to the full lower extremity  24  to show the versatility of using individual components, may also be used in an amputee recovery. The knee block  38  is supplied with a large molded peg  3   54  and a small molded peg  4   56  to fit in each end and an abrasive surface  40  for securing in place. 
         [0044]    The full lower extremity  24  is displayed in position with the pelvic  20  attached for an iliac crest recovery. The full lower extremity  24  is provided with ankles to fit in the lower tubes and an abrasive surface  40  for securing in place. 
         [0045]    The pelvic  20  prosthetic is supplied with two molded hip  22  attachments to connect to both the upper tubes of the lower extremity  24  and the pelvic  20  and an abrasive surface  40  for securing in place. 
         [0046]    Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention. 
         [0047]    Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequently appended claims.