Patent Description:
Many bones of the human musculoskeletal system include articular surfaces. The articular surfaces articulate relative to other bones to facilitate different types and degrees of joint movement. The articular surfaces can erode or experience bone loss over time due to repeated use or wear or can fracture as a result of a traumatic impact. These types of bone defects can cause joint instability and pain.

Bone deficiencies may occur along the articular surfaces. Some techniques utilize a bone graft and/or implant to repair a defect adjacent the articular surfaces. The implant may be secured to the bone utilizing one or more fasteners.

<CIT>discloses a negative-positive pressurizable implant. <CIT> discloses a joint implant for the administration of a drug. <CIT> discloses a cementable hip prosthesis. <CIT>discloses a prosthesis and method of implantation.

This disclosure relates to orthopaedic implant systems that may be used during methods for repairing bone defects. The implant systems described herein may be utilized to restore functionality to a joint and include implants having an internal network for communicating various materials in the respective implant.

An orthopaedic implant system according to the present invention is defined in claim <NUM>.

A method of installing an orthopaedic implant system of the present disclosure may include positioning an implant along a surgical site.

The positioning step may occur such that the front face of the baseplate faces towards an opposed articular surface associated with an adjacent bone.

This disclosure relates to orthopaedic implant systems and methods for repairing bone defects. The implant systems described herein may be utilized during arthroplasty procedures and may include implants incorporated into a prosthesis for restoring functionality to shoulders and other joints having advanced cartilage disease. The implants include an augment that extends from a respective baseplate. The implants may be situated along a surgical site such as the glenoid face to at least partially fill a bone void. The augment includes an internal network for communicating biological and/or other material in the respective implant, which may improve fixation and healing of the patient.

An orthopaedic implant system according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes an implant including a baseplate and an augment. The baseplate includes a plate body extending between front and rear faces. The front face is configured to face towards an opposed articular surface associated with a bone. The augment includes an augment body extending from the rear face of the plate body. The augment body includes a network of internal passages that branch to respective ports along an external surface of the augment body.

In some embodiments, the network may be dimensioned to branch outwardly from the rear face of the plate body to opposed sidewalls of the augment body.

In some embodiments, the internal passages may interconnect the respective ports and a common interface aperture defined along an external surface of the implant.

In some embodiments, each of the internal passages may divide into branched paths at a respective junction. At least two of the junctions may be established between the common interface aperture and each of the respective ports.

In some embodiments, the network may be arranged according to a Fibonacci sequence such that a cross sectional area of the internal passages may progressively decrease at each of the respective junctions in a direction towards the respective ports.

In some embodiments, the implant system may include a pump securable to the common interface aperture. The pump may be configured to draw biological material from the ports at least partially into the internal passages.

In some embodiments, the common interface aperture may be defined along the plate body. The network may include a main trunk that extends outwardly from the common interface aperture. The internal passages may divide from the main trunk into branched paths coupled to the respective ports.

In some embodiments, the implant system may include a pad including a concave articulation surface. The pad may be securable to the baseplate adjacent the front face.

In some embodiments, the implant system may include an articulation head including a convex articulation surface. The articulation head may be securable to the baseplate adjacent the front face.

In some embodiments, the articulation head may include a recess dimensioned to at least partially receive the plate body.

According to the invention, the implant includes at least one fixation aperture extending at least partially through the plate body and the augment body. The at least one fixation aperture is configured to receive a respective fastener to secure the implant to bone.

In some embodiments, the implant may include one or more bioactive layers that establish at least a majority of surfaces of the augment body that define the network.

An orthopaedic implant system according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure may include a pump configured to communicate biological material at least partially into the network.

In some embodiments, the implant system may include an interface aperture defined along an external surface of the implant. The internal passages may interconnect the respective ports and the interface aperture. The pump may be securable to the implant at the interface aperture.

In some embodiments, the implant system may include an articulation member including an articulation surface that may be configured to cooperate with the opposed articular surface to establish a joint interface. The articulation member may be securable to the baseplate.

In some embodiments, the implant system may include a plurality of fasteners. The implant may include a plurality of fixation apertures. Each of the fixation apertures may be configured to receive a respective one of the fasteners to secure the implant to bone.

A method of installing an orthopaedic implant system may include positioning an implant along a surgical site. The positioning step may occur such that the front face of the baseplate faces towards an opposed articular surface associated with an adjacent bone.

The method may include coupling a pump to the network and actuating the pump to cause biological material to be communicated at least partially into the internal passages.

The method may include actuating the pump in a first mode to cause at least a portion of the biological material to be drawn from surgical site, through the ports, and then at least partially into the internal passages.

The method may include actuating the pump in a second mode to cause at least a portion of the biological material in the network to move outwardly in a direction towards the ports.

The network may branch outwardly from the rear face of the plate body to the ports.

The method may include forming a cavity in bone along the surgical site. The step of positioning the implant may include moving the augment at least partially into the cavity such that the external surface of the augment body abuts a wall of the cavity adjacent the ports.

The implant includes a fixation aperture. The method may include positioning a fastener at least partially through the fixation aperture and into bone to secure the implant to the surgical site.

The method may include securing an articulation member to the plate body adjacent to the front face. The articulation member may include an articulation surface that cooperates with the opposed articular surface to establish a joint interface.

The surgical site may be established along a glenoid.

<FIG> illustrates an exemplary orthopedic implant system <NUM> including an implant <NUM> securable to a surgical site. The system <NUM> may be utilized for various surgical procedures, such as an arthroplasty to repair a joint. The implant <NUM> may be incorporated into a shoulder prosthesis, for example. Although the implants disclosed herein primarily refer to repair of a defect in a glenoid during a shoulder reconstruction, such as an anatomic or reverse shoulder procedure, it should be understood that the disclosed implants may be utilized in other locations of the patient and other surgical procedures including repair of a humerus and other joints such as a wrist, hand, hip, knee, ankle or spline, and including repair of fractures.

The implant <NUM> includes a baseplate <NUM> and augment <NUM>. The baseplate <NUM> includes a plate body <NUM> extending along a central axis A between a front face <NUM> and a rear face <NUM> generally opposed to the front face <NUM>. The front face <NUM> is configured to face toward an opposed articulation surface AS associated with an adjacent bone B2, as illustrated in <FIG>. The articulation surface AS may be a portion of the bone B2 or an adjacent implant component secured to the bone B2.

The baseplate <NUM> may have various geometries. A perimeter of the baseplate <NUM> may have as a generally rectangular, elliptical, oval, oblong or complex geometry. For example, a perimeter 28P of the plate body <NUM> may have a substantially circular or elliptical cross-sectional geometry, as illustrated in <FIG>. For the purposes of this disclosure, the terms "substantially" and "approximately" mean ±<NUM>% of the stated relationship or value unless otherwise stated. A substantially circular geometry may reduce a reaming width and complexity of preparing a surgical site to accept the implant <NUM>.

The augment <NUM> includes an augment body <NUM> extending between a front face <NUM> and a rear face <NUM> generally opposed to the front face <NUM>. The augment body <NUM> is disposed on and extends from the rear face <NUM> of the plate body <NUM> along the central axis A. The rear faces <NUM>, <NUM> of the baseplate <NUM> and augment <NUM> may generally correspond to a medial side of a patient, and the front faces <NUM>, <NUM> of the baseplate <NUM> and augment <NUM> may generally correspond to a lateral side of the patient when implanted in a surgical site, for example.

The implant <NUM> includes one or more fixation apertures <NUM>. Each fixation aperture <NUM> extends at least partially or completely through the plate body <NUM> and/or augment body <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>. Each fixation aperture <NUM> is configured to receive a respective fastener F to secure the implant <NUM> to tissue such as bone B1, as illustrated in <FIG> (B1 and F shown in dashed lines for illustrative purposes). The system <NUM> may include a plurality of fasteners F received in respective fixation apertures <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>. Example fasteners may include pins, nails, bolts and compression screws.

The implant <NUM> may include at least one interface aperture <NUM> defined along an external surface of the implant <NUM>. The interface aperture <NUM> may extend along the central axis A between the front face <NUM> and rear face <NUM> of the plate body <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>. The fixation apertures <NUM> may be distributed in an array about the interface aperture <NUM> and/or central axis A, as illustrated in <FIG>. The interface aperture <NUM> may also serve as a fixation aperture. The interface aperture <NUM> may be established along another portion of the implant <NUM>. For example, the interface aperture may be established along an external surface of the augment body, as illustrated by interface aperture <NUM> of <FIG>. The interface aperture <NUM> may be established along a sidewall <NUM> of the augment body <NUM> at a position between a front face <NUM> and a rear face <NUM> of the augment body <NUM>. In this disclosure, like reference numerals designate like elements where appropriate and reference numerals with the addition of one-hundred or multiples thereof designate modified elements that are understood to incorporate the same features and benefits of the corresponding original elements.

Referring to <FIG>, with continuing reference to <FIG>, the augment <NUM> may be dimensioned to approximate various defect geometries and surface contours that may be encountered along a surgical site S. In some implementations, a geometry of the augment <NUM> may be patient-specific based on one or more measurements of an anatomy of the patient. The rear face <NUM> of the augment <NUM> may be dimensioned to contact tissue such as bone B1 along the surgical site S. The rear face <NUM> may be dimensioned to overlay a surface contour SC along the bone B1, as illustrated in <FIG>. In other implementations, the augment <NUM> may be inlaid in the bone B1 to at least partially or completely fill a volume of a cavity C in the bone B1, and the baseplate <NUM> may be at least partially received in the cavity C, as illustrated in <FIG>.

The augment body <NUM> includes an internal network <NUM> for conveying blood, nutrients, bone marrow and other biological material to promote intraosseous integration of the implant <NUM> and healing of the patient. The biological material may be provided by the patient or from another source. The internal network <NUM> may be utilized to communicate other materials in the implant <NUM>, including non-biological materials. Example non-biological materials may include a cement material to improve fixation, and antibiotics such as gentamicin to reduce the risk of infection at the bone-implant interface along the surgical site S, for example.

The internal network <NUM> may be defined at least partially or completely within a thickness of the augment body <NUM> between the front face <NUM> and rear face <NUM>. The internal network <NUM> has a predefined geometry dimensioned to establish a network of internal passages <NUM> coupled to respective ports <NUM> along the external surface of the augment body <NUM>. For purposes of this disclosure, the term "predefined" means an engineered construct that excludes random arrangements such as meshes and porous materials.

The internal passages <NUM> may be dimensioned to establish respective flow paths between the interface aperture <NUM> and one or more of the respective ports <NUM>. The internal passages <NUM> may be dimensioned to interconnect the interface aperture <NUM> and respective ports <NUM> along the external surface of the augment <NUM>. One or more of the internal passages <NUM> may branch to the respective ports <NUM>.

The interface aperture <NUM> may be common to each of the internal passages <NUM> and ports <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>. In other examples, the implant <NUM> may include more than one interface aperture <NUM>, each coupled to a respective set of internal passages <NUM>. The network <NUM> may be dimensioned to branch outwardly from the rear face <NUM> of the plate body <NUM> and/or front face <NUM> of the augment body <NUM> to the ports <NUM> along opposed sidewalls <NUM> and/or rear face <NUM> of the augment body <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>. The sidewalls <NUM> may have a substantially smooth and continuous profile to facilitate positioning of the augment <NUM> in the cavity C (<FIG>).

The interface aperture <NUM> may be defined along the plate body <NUM>. The network <NUM> may include a main trunk <NUM> that extends outwardly from the interface aperture <NUM>. The network <NUM> may be established such that one or more (or each) of the internal passages <NUM> is dimensioned to divide from the main trunk <NUM> into branched paths <NUM> coupled to respective ports <NUM>. The internal passage <NUM> may divide into the branched paths <NUM> at a respective junction <NUM>. At least two junctions <NUM> may be established between the interface aperture <NUM> and each of the respective ports <NUM>, such that at least some of the internal passages <NUM> are branched paths <NUM> divided from another internal passage <NUM>. The arrangement of internal passages <NUM> may reduce localized stress concentrations in the augment <NUM>.

In the illustrative example of <FIG>, network <NUM>' includes at least three junctions <NUM>' established between an interface aperture <NUM>' and a respective one of the ports '<NUM>. The internal passage <NUM>' may divide into at least two branched paths <NUM>' at a respective junction <NUM>', as illustrated in <FIG>. A cross-sectional area of each internal passage <NUM>' in the network <NUM>' may be equal to or greater than a combined cross-sectional area of the branched paths <NUM>' that divide from the internal passage <NUM>' at the respective junction <NUM>'. For example, the internal passage <NUM>' of <FIG> may have a cross-sectional area of approximately <NUM>, and the two branched paths <NUM>' may each have a cross-sectional area of approximately <NUM> at the junction <NUM>' to yield a total cross-sectional area of approximately <NUM>. The cross-sectional area of the main trunk <NUM>' may be equal to or greater than a summation of the cross-sectional areas of all of the downstream junctions <NUM>' in the network <NUM>'. The cross-sectional areas of the junctions <NUM>' may decrease sequentially from the main trunk <NUM>' in a direction D1. For example, the network <NUM>' may be predefined according to a Fibonacci sequence such that a cross-sectional area of each internal passages <NUM>' progressively decreases in a series of the respective junctions <NUM>' in the direction D1 from interface aperture <NUM>' toward the respective ports <NUM>', although an opposite arrangement may be utilized.

The internal passages <NUM> including the branched paths <NUM> may be established in various orientations to communicate material throughout the internal network <NUM> including between the interface aperture <NUM> and ports <NUM>. In implementations, the internal network <NUM> may be dimensioned to generally mimic nature such as a root system of a tree. Portions of internal passages <NUM> may branch outwardly from the interface aperture <NUM> such that the portions of the internal passages <NUM> are radially offset from each other relative to the longitudinal axis A of the implant <NUM>. Portions of the internal passage <NUM> may be established on opposed sides of an adjacent portion of the internal passage <NUM>, as illustrated by branched paths <NUM> of the respective internal passages <NUM>. Projections of the branched paths <NUM> may intersect each other on a common plane, as illustrated by <FIG>, but may be radially offset from each other by a thickness of the augment body <NUM>, as illustrated by <FIG> taken along line 2B-2B of <FIG>. The branched paths <NUM> may be coupled to respective ports <NUM> at different circumferential positions relative to the longitudinal axis A (see, e.g., <FIG>).

Referring to <FIG>, the implant system <NUM> may include an articulation member <NUM> securable to the baseplate <NUM> adjacent the front face <NUM>. The articulation member <NUM> may have an articulation surface <NUM>. The articulation surface <NUM> may be configured to cooperate with the opposed articulation surface AS to establish a joint interface JI.

The articulation member <NUM> may have various geometries that complement the articulation surface AS. For example, the articulation member <NUM> may be an articulation head <NUM> having a generally convex articulation surface <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>. The articulation head <NUM> may be a glenosphere secured to a glenoid in a reverse shoulder repair procedure, for example.

The articulation member may have other geometries. As illustrated by implant <NUM> of <FIG>, articulation member <NUM> includes a pad <NUM> having an articulation surface <NUM>. The articulation surface <NUM> may have a generally concave geometry. The articulation member <NUM> may be utilized in a anatomic shoulder repair procedure, for example. The pad <NUM> may be securable to a baseplate <NUM> adjacent a front face <NUM>. At least one peg <NUM> may extend outwardly from a body of the pad <NUM>. The peg <NUM> may be dimensioned to be secured in a hole H1 in the bone B1 to provide fixation along the surgical site S. The pad <NUM> may include at least one protrusion <NUM> that is dimensioned to mate with the interface aperture <NUM> to limit relative movement between the baseplate <NUM> and pad <NUM>.

Various techniques may be utilized to secure the articulation members <NUM>, <NUM> to the respective baseplates <NUM>, <NUM>. The articulation members <NUM>, <NUM> may be mechanically attached or releasably secured to the respective baseplate <NUM>, <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, the articulation members <NUM>, <NUM> may include a respective recess <NUM>, <NUM> dimensioned to at least partially receive the respective plate body <NUM>, <NUM>. However, an opposite configuration can be utilized. A perimeter 62P/162P of the recess <NUM>/<NUM> may be dimensioned to encircle a perimeter 28P/128P of the plate body <NUM>/<NUM> adjacent the front face <NUM>/<NUM>. The perimeter 28P/128P of the plate body <NUM>/<NUM> may be dimensioned to cooperate with the perimeter 62P/162P of the recess <NUM>/<NUM> to establish a Morse taper connection to secure the articulation member <NUM>/<NUM> to the baseplate <NUM>/<NUM>. The articulation member <NUM>/<NUM> may be impacted or pressed on the baseplate <NUM>/<NUM> to establish an interference fit or otherwise seat the articulation member <NUM>/<NUM>. The articulation head <NUM> may include an aperture <NUM> dimensioned to receive a respective fastener FF. The fastener FF may be at least partially received in the interface aperture <NUM> and cooperate with threading to mechanically attach the articulation head <NUM> to the baseplate <NUM> and assist in alignment of the articulation head <NUM>.

The articulation members <NUM>, <NUM> may be provided together in a kit to the surgeon. The kit may include articulation members <NUM>, <NUM> having different shapes and/or sizes for selection by the surgeon based on an anatomy of the patient.

Referring back to <FIG>, the implant system <NUM> may include a pump <NUM> selectively coupled to the implant <NUM> (shown in dashed lines for illustrative purposes, see also implant <NUM> of <FIG>). The pump <NUM> may be securable to the interface aperture <NUM> via a threaded connection, for example. The pump <NUM> may be configured to convey material through at least a portion of the internal network <NUM> in operation (see, e.g., pump <NUM> of <FIG>). The pump <NUM> may be configured to draw or otherwise communicate blood, bone marrow and other tissue, nutrients, other biological material and/or other material from the patient adjacent the surgical site S and at least partially into the internal network <NUM> to promote intraosseous integration of the implant <NUM> and healing of the patient, including any of the materials disclosed herein. In implementations, the pump <NUM> may be configured to convey or deliver biological material from an external supply to the network <NUM>, such as biological material from the patient or a donor gathered prior to placement of the implant <NUM>.

Various techniques may be utilized to form the implant <NUM>. The implant <NUM> may be a monolithic arrangement in which the baseplate <NUM> and augment <NUM> may be integrally formed, or the implant <NUM> may be a modular arrangement that may include separate components that are mechanically attached or otherwise secured to each other. The augment <NUM> may be printed or otherwise formed on the baseplate <NUM> according to a predefined geometry to establish a three-dimensional scaffold. The scaffold establishes the internal network <NUM>, which extends at least partially through a volume of the augment <NUM>.

Various materials may be utilized to form the components of the implant systems disclosed herein. The disclosed baseplates, augments and articulation members may be made of surgical grade metallic materials. Example metallic materials include titanium alloys such as Ti6Al4V and cobalt-based materials such as cobalt-chromium (CoCr). Non-metallic materials may be utilized, such as an ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). The pad <NUM> (<FIG>) may be made of a non-metallic material, including any of the non-metallic materials disclosed herein. Portions of the implant such as the augment may be constructed from a biological and other bio-materials, such hydroxyapatite and allograft bone or other tissue.

The plate body of the baseplate may comprise a first material, and the augment body of the augment may comprise a second material. The first and second materials may be same or can differ in composition and/or construction. For example, a density of the first and second materials can be same or can differ. The plate body may be substantially solid.

One or more coatings or layers may be deposited along surfaces of the implant, including the baseplate and/or augment. For example, at least one layer <NUM>' may be disposed along or otherwise establish surfaces of the augment body <NUM>', as illustrated in <FIG>. The implant <NUM>' may include one or more layers(s) <NUM>' that establish at least a majority or substantially all surfaces of the augment body <NUM>' that define the network <NUM>'. The layer(s) <NUM>' may include any of the materials disclosed herein, including a non-biological material or a bioactive material or biologics that promote intraosseous integration of the implant <NUM>' at the surgical site. Example layers may include calcium phosphate (CaP) and hydroxyapatite for promoting bone growth. The layer(s) <NUM>' may be disposed on surfaces of the implant <NUM>' concurrently or subsequent to formation of the implant <NUM>'. For example, the layer(s) <NUM>' may be printed to establish surfaces of the internal network <NUM>' while printing adjacent portions of the implant <NUM>'. In other implementations, the layer(s) <NUM>' may be deposited on surfaces of the augment body <NUM> to establish surfaces of the network <NUM>'. For example, the layer(s) <NUM>' may be injected as a slurry into the network <NUM>' subsequent to formation of the implant <NUM>'.

<FIG> illustrates an exemplary method of installing an orthopaedic implant at a surgical site in a flowchart <NUM>. The method may be utilized to perform an arthroplasty for restoring functionality to shoulders and other joints having advanced cartilage disease, such as repairing bone defects along a glenoid, for example. Although the method <NUM> primarily refers to implants for repair of a defect in a glenoid during a shoulder reconstruction, it should be understood that the method and disclosed implants may be utilized in other locations of the patient and other surgical procedures, such as the humerus or any other location disclosed herein. The method <NUM> can be utilized with any of the orthopedic implant systems disclosed herein. Fewer or additional steps than are recited below could be performed within the scope of this disclosure, and the recited order of steps is not intended to limit this disclosure.

A kit for arthroplasty may be provided at step 380A. The kit may include any of the components of the implant systems disclosed herein. The kit may include a set of implants of various sizes and geometries. At step 380B the surgeon may select one or more components from the kit. For example, step 380B may include selecting an implant from a set of implants based on the planned surgical technique and/or an anatomy of the patient including a surface contour SC associated with a bone B1 along a surgical site S, as illustrated in <FIG>. The surgical site S may be established along a glenoid G, for example. The kit may include fasteners of different sizes that may be received in respective apertures in the implant to secure the implant to the surgical site S. The kit may include articulation members of various sizes and geometries for securing to a selected implant. The surgeon may select an articulation member from the kit based on the planned surgical technique and/or the anatomy of the patient.

Referring to <FIG>, with continuing reference to <FIG>, the surgical site S can be prepared for receiving an implant <NUM> at step 380C. The implant <NUM> may correspond to any of the implants disclosed herein. The implant <NUM> can include a baseplate <NUM> and augment <NUM>. One or more operations may be performed to prepare the surgical site S, such as one or more reaming, milling and/or drilling operations to establish a specified geometry of the surgical site S. Step 380C may include forming one or more holes in the surgical site dimensioned to receive respective fasteners (see, e.g., <FIG>).

Step 380C may include forming a cavity C along the surgical site S, such as an articulating surface of the glenoid G, at step 380D. The cavity C may be formed by removing a portion of the bone B1 or other tissue at the surgical site S, as illustrated in <FIG>. The tissue may include cartilage, cancellous bone and/or cortical bone along the surgical site S.

The cavity C may be dimensioned to at least partially or completely receive the baseplate <NUM> and/or augment <NUM>. The cavity C may be formed to remove tissue from a defect in the bone B1 and may be dimensioned to approximate a profile of the defect. A defect in the glenoid can be characterized by the Walch Classification. The surgeon may measure bone loss utilizing imaging of the surgical site, such a radiogram or computed tomography technique, or may approximate a profile of the defect utilizing one or more sizers and/or measuring devices placed against the bone surface.

The selected implant <NUM> may be positioned along the surgical site S at step 380E. Step 380E may occur such that the front face <NUM> of the baseplate <NUM> faces towards an opposed articular surface AS associated with an adjacent bone B2, as illustrated in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, with continuing reference to <FIG>, step 380E may include moving the implant <NUM> in a direction D2 (<FIG>) such that the rear face <NUM> abuts against and overlays the surface contour SC of the bone B1, as illustrated in <FIG>. In some implementations, the implant <NUM> is positioned such that at least the augment <NUM> abuts a surface and/or fills the cavity C along the surgical site S. For example, step 380E may include positioning the augment <NUM> partially in the cavity C, as illustrated in <FIG>, or positioning the augment <NUM> completely in the cavity C as illustrated in <FIG>. Step 380E may include positioning at least a portion of the baseplate in the cavity, as illustrated by the baseplate <NUM> of <FIG>.

Step 380E may include moving the augment <NUM> at least partially into the cavity C such that an external surface of the augment body <NUM> abuts a wall of the cavity C adjacent the ports <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>. External walls of the augment body <NUM> may have a substantially smooth or continuous contour, including sidewalls <NUM>. One or more ports <NUM> may be defined in the sidewalls <NUM> to promote communication of biological material M subsequent to placement of the implant <NUM> and completion of the surgical procedure.

In some implementations, the augment body <NUM> may include one or more protrusions <NUM> extending outwardly from the rear face <NUM> or another portion of the augment body <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>. The protrusions <NUM> may be dimensioned to resemble one or more roots extending outwardly from the rear face <NUM>. Each protrusion <NUM> may define at least one of the internal passages <NUM> and ports <NUM>. Step 380E may include moving the implant <NUM> into abutment with a surface of the bone B1 such that the protrusions <NUM> are at least partially embedded in the bone B1, which may improve fixation of the implant <NUM> along the surgical site S.

At step 380F, one or more fasteners may be positioned in and at least partially through a respective fastener aperture, and then into bone to secure the selected implant to the surgical site, as illustrated by the fasteners F of <FIG>. The fasteners F may be compression screws that can serve to apply and maintain compression between the baseplate <NUM> and bone surface which may reduce relative motion and tissue formation that may otherwise occur due to spacing between the contact surfaces of the implant and bone.

Abutment of the augment <NUM> against the adjacent bone B1 may establish a wicking or capillary action. The wicking action may cause biological material M from the surgical site S to at least partially or completely fill a volume of the internal network <NUM>, which can promote bone growth and fixation of the implant <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, with continuing reference to <FIG>, in some implementations a pump <NUM> may be coupled to an internal network <NUM> of the implant <NUM> at step <NUM>. The pump <NUM> may include one or more modes. For example, the pump <NUM> may be a bi-directional pump such as a syringe movable in a third direction D3 during a first mode and moveable in a fourth direction D4 during a second mode. The fourth direction D4 may be generally opposed to the third direction D3. The pump <NUM> may serve to draw biological material into the internal network <NUM> and/or move the biological material M toward the interface aperture <NUM> in the first mode. The pump <NUM> may serve to move biological material M away from the interface aperture <NUM> and through the internal network <NUM> in the second mode.

At step <NUM>, the pump <NUM> may be actuated to cause biological and/or other material M to be communicated at least partially into the internal passages <NUM> of the internal network <NUM>. Step <NUM> may include actuating the pump <NUM> in one or more modes, such as the first mode and/or second mode. At step <NUM>, the pump <NUM> may be actuated in the first mode to cause at least a portion of the biological material M to be drawn from the surgical site S, through the ports <NUM>, and then at least partially into the internal passages <NUM> such that a volume of the internal network <NUM> is at least partially or substantially filled with the biological material M. At step <NUM>, the pump <NUM> may be actuated in the second mode to cause at least a portion of the biological material M in the network <NUM> to be pushed or otherwise move outwardly in a direction towards the ports <NUM>. In some implementations, step 380I may include conveying non-biological material and/or biological material M from the pump <NUM> to the internal network <NUM>, which may be provided by the patient or from another source. The pump <NUM> may be actuated in one or more cycles between the first and second modes to at least partially or substantially fill a volume of the internal network <NUM> with the non-biological material and/or biological material M. The pump <NUM> may be uncoupled from the interface aperture <NUM> of the implant <NUM> at step 380J.

The interface aperture <NUM> may be utilized to obtain a visual indication of an amount of the biological material M that is contained in the internal network <NUM>. The surgeon may repeat steps <NUM>, <NUM>, 380I and/or 380J until a determined portion of the internal network <NUM> is filled with the biological material M.

Referring to <FIG>, with continuing reference to <FIG>, a plug <NUM> may be positioned in the interface aperture <NUM> to at least partially seal the internal network <NUM> at step <NUM> (shown in dashed lines for illustrative purposes). The plug <NUM> may be made of any of the materials disclosed herein. In other implementations, the plug <NUM> is omitted. In some implementations, the fastener FF of <FIG> may serve as a plug <NUM>.

An articulation member <NUM> may be secured to the baseplate <NUM> at step <NUM>. The articulation member <NUM> can include any of the articulation members disclosed herein. The articulation member <NUM> may be moved in a direction D5 and brought into abutment with the baseplate <NUM>. The articulation member <NUM> may be secured to the plate body <NUM> adjacent to the front face <NUM>. An articulation surface <NUM> of the articulation member <NUM> may be arranged to mate with an opposed articular surface AS. The articulation surface AS may be established by an adjacent bone B2 or by another implant situated along the adjacent bone B2. The adjacent bone B2 may be a humerus that opposes the glenoid G, for example.

One or more subsequent and/or finishing operations may be performed at step <NUM>. Example finishing operations may include closing an incision adjacent the surgical site S.

The novel implants and methods of this disclosure can provide improved fixation and healing of the patient. The disclosed implants may include augments internal networks that receive biological material, which can improve intraosseous integration and fixation of the implant through the promotion of bone growth into the internal network. The disclosed internal networks including interconnected branches and nodes may emulate the structural, junctional and/or physiological properties of the native bone and improve force distribution to encourage structural adaption of the adjacent bone, which may improve fixation of the implant.

Although the different non-limiting embodiments are illustrated as having specific components or steps, the embodiments of this disclosure are not limited to those particular combinations. It is possible to use some of the components or features from any of the non-limiting embodiments in combination with features or components from any of the other non-limiting embodiments.

Claim 1:
An orthopaedic implant system (<NUM>) comprising:
an implant (<NUM>) including a baseplate (<NUM>) and an augment (<NUM>);
wherein the baseplate (<NUM>) includes a plate body (<NUM>) extending between front and rear faces (<NUM>, <NUM>), and the front face (<NUM>) is configured to face towards an opposed articular surface associated with a bone; and
wherein the augment (<NUM>) includes an augment body (<NUM>) extending from the rear face (<NUM>) of the plate body (<NUM>), and the augment body (<NUM>) includes a network (<NUM>) of internal passages (<NUM>) that branch to respective ports (<NUM>) along an external surface of the augment body (<NUM>),
characterized in that
the implant (<NUM>) includes at least one fixation aperture (<NUM>) extending at least partially through the plate body (<NUM>) and the augment body (<NUM>); and
the at least one fixation aperture (<NUM>) is configured to receive a respective fastener to secure the implant (<NUM>) to bone.