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WO2023182916A1 - Resorbable interbody fusion cage - Google Patents

Resorbable interbody fusion cage Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2023182916A1
WO2023182916A1 PCT/SE2023/050239 SE2023050239W WO2023182916A1 WO 2023182916 A1 WO2023182916 A1 WO 2023182916A1 SE 2023050239 W SE2023050239 W SE 2023050239W WO 2023182916 A1 WO2023182916 A1 WO 2023182916A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
interbody fusion
cage
fusion cage
side walls
front wall
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/SE2023/050239
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Odd HÖGLUND
Original Assignee
Cavix Ab
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Cavix Ab filed Critical Cavix Ab
Publication of WO2023182916A1 publication Critical patent/WO2023182916A1/en

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L27/00—Materials for grafts or prostheses or for coating grafts or prostheses
    • A61L27/50—Materials characterised by their function or physical properties, e.g. injectable or lubricating compositions, shape-memory materials, surface modified materials
    • A61L27/58—Materials at least partially resorbable by the body
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F2/00—Filters implantable into blood vessels; Prostheses, i.e. artificial substitutes or replacements for parts of the body; Appliances for connecting them with the body; Devices providing patency to, or preventing collapsing of, tubular structures of the body, e.g. stents
    • A61F2/02—Prostheses implantable into the body
    • A61F2/30—Joints
    • A61F2/44—Joints for the spine, e.g. vertebrae, spinal discs
    • A61F2/4455—Joints for the spine, e.g. vertebrae, spinal discs for the fusion of spinal bodies, e.g. intervertebral fusion of adjacent spinal bodies, e.g. fusion cages
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F2/00—Filters implantable into blood vessels; Prostheses, i.e. artificial substitutes or replacements for parts of the body; Appliances for connecting them with the body; Devices providing patency to, or preventing collapsing of, tubular structures of the body, e.g. stents
    • A61F2/02—Prostheses implantable into the body
    • A61F2/30—Joints
    • A61F2/44—Joints for the spine, e.g. vertebrae, spinal discs
    • A61F2/4455—Joints for the spine, e.g. vertebrae, spinal discs for the fusion of spinal bodies, e.g. intervertebral fusion of adjacent spinal bodies, e.g. fusion cages
    • A61F2/447—Joints for the spine, e.g. vertebrae, spinal discs for the fusion of spinal bodies, e.g. intervertebral fusion of adjacent spinal bodies, e.g. fusion cages substantially parallelepipedal, e.g. having a rectangular or trapezoidal cross-section
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L27/00—Materials for grafts or prostheses or for coating grafts or prostheses
    • A61L27/14—Macromolecular materials
    • A61L27/18—Macromolecular materials obtained otherwise than by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B33—ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY
    • B33Y—ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3-D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3-D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING
    • B33Y80/00—Products made by additive manufacturing
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F2/00—Filters implantable into blood vessels; Prostheses, i.e. artificial substitutes or replacements for parts of the body; Appliances for connecting them with the body; Devices providing patency to, or preventing collapsing of, tubular structures of the body, e.g. stents
    • A61F2/02—Prostheses implantable into the body
    • A61F2/30—Joints
    • A61F2002/30001—Additional features of subject-matter classified in A61F2/28, A61F2/30 and subgroups thereof
    • A61F2002/30316—The prosthesis having different structural features at different locations within the same prosthesis; Connections between prosthetic parts; Special structural features of bone or joint prostheses not otherwise provided for
    • A61F2002/30535—Special structural features of bone or joint prostheses not otherwise provided for
    • A61F2002/30593—Special structural features of bone or joint prostheses not otherwise provided for hollow
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F2/00—Filters implantable into blood vessels; Prostheses, i.e. artificial substitutes or replacements for parts of the body; Appliances for connecting them with the body; Devices providing patency to, or preventing collapsing of, tubular structures of the body, e.g. stents
    • A61F2/02—Prostheses implantable into the body
    • A61F2/30—Joints
    • A61F2/30767—Special external or bone-contacting surface, e.g. coating for improving bone ingrowth
    • A61F2/30771—Special external or bone-contacting surface, e.g. coating for improving bone ingrowth applied in original prostheses, e.g. holes or grooves
    • A61F2002/30841—Sharp anchoring protrusions for impaction into the bone, e.g. sharp pins, spikes
    • A61F2002/30843—Pyramidally-shaped
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F2/00—Filters implantable into blood vessels; Prostheses, i.e. artificial substitutes or replacements for parts of the body; Appliances for connecting them with the body; Devices providing patency to, or preventing collapsing of, tubular structures of the body, e.g. stents
    • A61F2/02—Prostheses implantable into the body
    • A61F2/30—Joints
    • A61F2/30767—Special external or bone-contacting surface, e.g. coating for improving bone ingrowth
    • A61F2/30771—Special external or bone-contacting surface, e.g. coating for improving bone ingrowth applied in original prostheses, e.g. holes or grooves
    • A61F2002/30904—Special external or bone-contacting surface, e.g. coating for improving bone ingrowth applied in original prostheses, e.g. holes or grooves serrated profile, i.e. saw-toothed
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F2/00—Filters implantable into blood vessels; Prostheses, i.e. artificial substitutes or replacements for parts of the body; Appliances for connecting them with the body; Devices providing patency to, or preventing collapsing of, tubular structures of the body, e.g. stents
    • A61F2/02—Prostheses implantable into the body
    • A61F2/30—Joints
    • A61F2/3094—Designing or manufacturing processes
    • A61F2/30942—Designing or manufacturing processes for designing or making customized prostheses, e.g. using templates, CT or NMR scans, finite-element analysis or CAD-CAM techniques
    • A61F2002/30962—Designing or manufacturing processes for designing or making customized prostheses, e.g. using templates, CT or NMR scans, finite-element analysis or CAD-CAM techniques using stereolithography
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F2/00—Filters implantable into blood vessels; Prostheses, i.e. artificial substitutes or replacements for parts of the body; Appliances for connecting them with the body; Devices providing patency to, or preventing collapsing of, tubular structures of the body, e.g. stents
    • A61F2/02—Prostheses implantable into the body
    • A61F2/30—Joints
    • A61F2/3094—Designing or manufacturing processes
    • A61F2002/30985—Designing or manufacturing processes using three dimensional printing [3DP]
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L2430/00—Materials or treatment for tissue regeneration
    • A61L2430/38—Materials or treatment for tissue regeneration for reconstruction of the spine, vertebrae or intervertebral discs

Definitions

  • the present invention generally relates to interbody fusion cages, also referred to as spinal cages, and in particular such cages made of bioresorbable materials.
  • An interbody fusion cage commonly known as spinal cage, is a prosthesis used in spinal fusion procedures to maintain foraminal height, vertebral alignment or angulation and, thus, avoid loss of decompression of neural structures. They come in various shapes and materials and may be packed with bone material or ceramic material in order to promote arthrodesis Qoi nt ossification), in this case fusion of vertebrae.
  • interbody fusion cages are inserted into the space between the vertebrae, when the spinal disc is distracted, such that the interbody fusion cage, when threaded, is compressed like a screw.
  • Unthreaded interbody fusion cages can have teeth or roughened surfaces that contact the vertebral end-plates and provide a degree of mechanical fixation.
  • interbody fusion cages that have design characteristics adjusted according to their intended location in the spine and the surgical route of implantation; anterior cervical interbody fusion (ACIF), anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF), posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF), transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF), direct or extreme lateral interbody fusion (DLIF or XLIF).
  • Materials used for their construction commonly include titanium and its alloys, polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyetherketoneketone (PEKK) and carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP).
  • US 9,636,266 discloses a hand and/or wrist implant including a web structure having a space truss with two or more planar truss units having a plurality of struts joined at nodes.
  • the web structure is made of biocompatible metal materials, such as titanium alloy, cobalt, chromium or stainless steel, PEEK or ceramics and is configured for repair of traumatic bone fractures.
  • interbody fusion cages are made of metal, polymer or composite materials and are permanent once implanted between vertebrae at the disc space in the spine, typically in the lumbar spine between lumbar vertebrae or in the cervical region. Hence, these interbody fusion cages remain in the patient body throughout the whole life.
  • Such permanent interbody fusion cages have the associated drawback of implant infections if the patient should suffer from an infection. In such a case, the infection may adhere to the implant surface thereby restricting an effective treatment of the infection. It may then be necessary to explant the interbody fusion cage from the patient, which could be problematic and may cause damages to the patient during extraction of the interbody fusion cage.
  • Interbody fusion cages made of bioresorbable or biodegradable materials have therefore been suggested in the art [1-6]. These bioresorbable interbody fusion cages should then remain implanted for a given period of time and then start to biodegrade and finally be fully resorbed by the patient body.
  • a potential limitation of such bioresorbable interbody fusion cages is the balance between structural integrity to provide optimal support of tissue, such as maintaining distance of intervertebral space, but at the same time minimize the amount of material of the interbody fusion cages to facilitate efficient resorption by the patient body.
  • a bioresorbable interbody fusion cage that provides sufficient structural integrity while at the same time facilitates resorption by the patient body and progressive load transfer from the cage to the new bone fusion mass.
  • the present invention relates to an interbody fusion cage and to production thereof as defined in the independent claims. Further embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.
  • An aspect of the invention relates to an interbody fusion cage comprising a cage body.
  • the cage body comprises a front wall, opposite side walls, a back wall and a cage bottom interconnected to enclose an open internal space of the interbody fusion cage.
  • the interbody fusion cage also comprises multiple arcshaped transverse frames extending towards the cage bottom and interconnecting the opposite side walls and/or the front wall and the back wall. At least a portion of the interbody fusion cage is made of a bioresorbable material.
  • Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of producing an interbody fusion cage according to above. The method comprises three dimensional (3D) printing or injection molding the interbody fusion according to above.
  • the interbody fusion cage of the invention is designed to support and maintain distance between vertebrae during the healing process and promote fusion of bone tissue. Furthermore, the interbody fusion cage is bioresorbable and will thereby be fully resorbed when support of the vertebrae and bone tissue is no longer needed.
  • Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a perspective view of an interbody fusion cage according to an embodiment
  • Fig. 2 is a view from above of the interbody fusion cage shown in Fig. 1 ;
  • Fig. 3 is a view from below of the interbody fusion cage shown in Fig. 1 ;
  • Fig. 4 is a side view of the interbody fusion cage shown in Fig. 1 ;
  • Fig. 5 is a front view of the interbody fusion cage shown in Fig. 1 ;
  • Fig. 6 is a rear view of the interbody fusion cage shown in Fig. 1;
  • Fig. 7 schematically illustrates a perspective view of an interbody fusion cage according to another embodiment
  • Fig. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a method of producing an interbody fusion cage according to an embodiment.
  • Fig. 9 is a flow chart illustrating a method of producing an interbody fusion cage according to another embodiment.
  • the present invention generally relates to interbody fusion cages, also referred to as spinal cages, and in particular such cages made of bioresorbable materials.
  • An interbody fusion cage commonly known as spinal cage, is a prosthesis used in spinal fusion procedures to maintain foraminal height, vertebral alignment or angulation and, thus, avoid loss of decompression of neural structures.
  • Interbody fusion cages are typically placed in the disc space and should provide support and resist flexion and extension of the spine but at the same time allow bone graft to grow from the vertebral body through the cage and into the next vertebral body.
  • interbody fusion cages can be placed in various location in the spine and via various surgical approaches; anterior cervical interbody fusion (ACIF), anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF), posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF), transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF), direct or extreme lateral interbody fusion (DLIF or XLIF).
  • the interbody fusion cages could be empty and contain an internal space, into which bone growth takes place.
  • the interbody fusion cages could be packed with material promoting bone growth including bone material, such as autologous bone material, allogenic bone material or even xenogenic bone material, or ceramic material. The packed material then promotes arthrodesis, i.e., joint ossification, in this case fusion of vertebras.
  • interbody fusion cages on the market are made of metal or composite material and are permanent once implanted between vertebras at the disc space in the spine, typically in the lumbar spine between lumbar vertebrae or in the cervical region.
  • Such permanent interbody fusion cages have the associated drawback of implant infections if the patient should suffer from an infection. In such a case, the infection may adhere to the implant surface and thereby restricting an effective treatment of the infection. It may then be necessary to explant the interbody fusion cage from the patient, which could be problematic and may cause damages to the patient during extraction of the interbody fusion cage.
  • the present invention solves or at least reduces the risk of the above mentioned problems of permanent interbody fusion cages by being at least partly made of a bioresorbable material.
  • the interbody fusion cage of the invention will thereby support and maintain distance between vertebrae during the healing process to enable fusion of bone tissue.
  • Bioresorbable refers to a material that dissolves, absorbs or degrades in the body of a subject or patient over time. A bioresorbable material is therefore biodegradable and is naturally dissolving, absorbing or degrading in or by the body over time.
  • bioresorbable interbody fusion cages An important feature of the bioresorbable interbody fusion cages is to have a structure that balances the need for support and structural integrity during the healing process while at the same time facilitating bioresorption by the patient body.
  • the interbody fusion cages of the invention have a cage design and structure that balances these opposite needs of structural integrity while at the same time facilitating bioresorption.
  • a further advantage of the cage design is that the interbody fusion cages can be manufactured using 3D printing or injection molding.
  • the interbody fusion cage 100 comprises a cage body 110 comprising a front wall 120, opposite side walls 130, 140, back wall 150 and a cage bottom 160 interconnected to enclose an open internal space 180 of the interbody fusion cage 100.
  • the interbody fusion cage 100 also comprises multiple arc-shaped transverse frames 170 extending towards the cage bottom 160 and interconnecting the opposite side walls 130, 140 and/or the front wall 120 and the back wall 150.
  • at least a portion of the interbody fusion cage 100 is made of a bioresorbable material.
  • the interbody fusion cage 100 thereby comprises walls 120, 130, 140, 150 enclosing, together with the cage bottom 160, an open internal space 180.
  • Multiple, i.e., at least two, arc-shaped transverse frames 170 are at least partly arranged in this open internal space 180 and extend towards the cage bottom 160 and interconnect the opposite side walls 130, 140.
  • the multiple arc-shaped transverse frames 170 extend towards the cage bottom 160 and interconnect the front wall 120 and the opposite back wall 150.
  • the multiple arc-shaped transverse frames 170 act like frames or ribs and provide structural integrity to the cage body 110. As a consequence, the multiple arc-shaped transverse frames 170 prevent or at least restrict compaction or collapse of the cage body 110 upon application of forces that act onto the opposite side walls 130, 140 and/or onto the front wall 120 and the back wall 150. Hence, the multiple arc-shaped transverse frames 170 restrict the opposite side walls 130, 140 and/or the front wall 120 and the back wall 150 from compressing or collapsing towards each other when external forces act on the walls 120, 130, 140, 150, such as when implanted in the patient body.
  • the interbody fusion cage 100 comprises at least two such arc-shaped transverse frames 170 disposed or distributed along the length of the side walls 130, 140 and/or of the front and back walls 120, 150. It is generally preferred to have the multiple arc-shaped transverse frames 170 evenly distributed throughout the whole length of the walls 120, 130, 140, 150 as is best seen in Figs. 1 and 2. In such a preferred embodiment, the distance between adjacent or neighboring arc-shaped transverse frames 170 is preferably substantially the same for all arc-shaped transverse frames 170. Such a design improves the stability of the cage body 110. The embodiments are, however, not limited thereto and also encompass having different distances between adjacent or neighboring arc-shaped transverse frames 170.
  • the multiple arc-shaped transverse frames 170 are multiple transverse frames, struts or ribs 170 interconnecting the opposite side walls 130, 140 and the cage bottom 160 and/or the front wall 120, the back wall 150 and the cage bottom 160.
  • the arc-shaped transverse frames 170 are transverse frames 170 that not only extend between opposite walls 120, 130, 140, 150 but also interconnect the walls 120, 130, 140, 150 with the cage bottom 160.
  • the multiple transverse frames 170 are at least arc-shaped as shown in Fig. 1.
  • an arc-shaped transverse frame 170 thereby extends from one side wall 130 or the front wall 120, or more correctly from the inner side of the side wall 130 or the front wall 120 facing the open internal space 180, down to the cage bottom 160, or more correctly a first main side 161 of the cage bottom 160 facing the open internal space 180, and up to the other side wall 140 or the back wall 120, or more correctly up to the inner side of the other side wall 140 or the back wall 150 facing the open internal space 180.
  • At least one arc-shaped transverse frame 170 of the multiple arc-shaped transverse frames 170 extends from an end 131 of a first side wall 130 of the opposite side walls 130, 140 to the cage bottom 160 and up to an end 141 of a second side wall 140 of the opposite side walls 130, 140 and/or from an end 121 of the front wall 120 to the cage bottom 160 and up to an end 151 of the back wall 150.
  • Fig. 1 illustrates such an embodiment with at least a portion ofthe arc-shaped transverse frames 170 extending from the ends 131 , 141 of the opposite side walls 130, 140 in an arc down towards the cage bottom 160.
  • Such as design of the arc-shaped transverse frames 170 achieves a high stability to the cage body 110 as compared to having transverse frames 170 merely extending from portions of the opposite side walls 130, 140 close to the cage bottom 160.
  • the ends 121 , 131, 141, 151 of the side walls 130, 140, the front wall 120 and the back wall 150 are the ends 121 , 131 , 141 , 151 of these walls 120, 130, 140, 150 opposite to the cage bottom 160, i.e., facing away from the cage bottom 160.
  • the arc-shaped transverse frames 170 are attached to merely a portion of the side walls 130, 140 or the front wall 120 and the back wall 150 and where this portion is preferably an upper portion extending from the end 121 , 131 , 141 , 151 of the respective wall 120, 130, 140, 150 down a distance towards the cage bottom 160.
  • the arc-shaped transverse frames 170 are attached to substantially the whole length of the side walls 130, 140 or the front wall 120 and the back wall 150, i.e., from the end thereof 121 , 131 , 141 , 151 down to the cage bottom 160.
  • the arc-shaped transverse frames 170 fully interconnect the whole length of the side walls 130, 140 and/or the front wall 120 and the back wall 150 with the cage bottom 160.
  • the cage bottom 160 comprises a first main side 161 facing the open internal space 180 of the interbody fusion cage (see Fig. 2) and a second, opposite main side 162 (see Fig. 3).
  • the second, opposite main side 162 of the cage bottom 160 comprises a plurality of protrusions 165.
  • an end side 121 , 131 , 141 , 151 of at least one of the front wall 120, the opposite side walls 130, 140 and the back wall 150 facing opposite to the cage bottom 160 comprises a plurality of protrusions 125, 135, 145, 155.
  • such a plurality of protrusions 125, 135, 145, 155, 165 is provided on the second, opposite main side 162 of the cage bottom 160, or at least a portion thereof; on the end side 121 of the front wall 120, or at least a portion thereof; on the end side 131 , 141 of one or both side walls 130, 140, or at least a portion thereof; or on the end side 151 of the back wall 150, or at least a portion thereof.
  • a plurality of protrusions 125, 135, 145, 155, 165 is provided on the end side 121 of the front wall 120 and on the second, opposite main side 162 of the cage bottom 160, or at least a portion thereof; on the on the end side 121 of the front wall 120 and on the end side 131 , 141 of one or both side walls 130, 140, or at least a portion thereof; on the on the end side 121 of the front wall 120 and on the end side 151 of the back wall 150, or at least a portion thereof; on the end side 131 , 141 of one or both side walls 130, 140 and on the second, opposite main side 162 of the cage bottom 160, or at least a portion thereof; on the end side 131 , 141 of one or both side walls 130, 140 and on the end side 151 of the back wall 150, or at least a portion thereof; or on the end side 151 of the back wall 150 and on the second, opposite main side 162 of the cage bottom 160, or at least a portion thereof;
  • the plurality of protrusions 125, 135, 145, 155, 165 is provided on the end side 121 of the front wall 120, on the second, opposite main side 162 of the cage bottom 160 and on the end side 131 , 141 of one or both side walls 130, 140, or at least a portion thereof; on the end side 121 of the front wall 120, on the second, opposite main side 162 of the cage bottom 160 and on the end side 151 of the back wall 150, or at least a portion thereof; on the end side 121 of the front wall 120, on the end side 131 , 141 of one or both side walls 130, 140 and on the end side 151 of the back wall 150, or at least a portion thereof; on the end side 131 , 141 of one or both side walls 130, 140, on the second, opposite main side 162 of the cage bottom 160 and on the end side 151 of the back wall 150, or at least a portion thereof.
  • the plurality of protrusions 125, 135, 145, 155, 165 is provided on the end side 121 of the front wall 120, on the end side 131 , 141 of one or both side walls 130, 140, on the end side 151 of the back wall 150 and on the second, opposite main side 162 of the cage bottom 160, or at least a portion thereof.
  • the protrusions 125, 135, 145, 155, 165 are provided to facilitate engagement of the interbody fusion cage 100 with surrounding tissue when implanted in a patient body and thereby reduces the risk of the interbody fusion cage 100 moving once implanted.
  • the protrusions 124, 135, 145, 155, 165 hence, facilitate fixation and tissue integration of the interbody fusion cage 100.
  • the protrusions 125, 135, 145, 155, 165 could be any structures extending from the end sides 121 , 131 , 141 , 151 of the front wall 120, the side walls 130, 140 and/or the back wall 150 and/or from the second, opposite main side 162 of the cage bottom 160.
  • Illustrative, but non-limiting, examples of such protrusions 125, 135, 145, 155, 165 include studs, spikes and dubs.
  • the protrusions 125, 135, 145, 155, 165 may have various shapes including, but not limited to, pyramid shape, bulled shape, needle shape, cylinder shape, cone shape, truncated cone shape, block shape or cube shape.
  • the plurality of protrusions 125, 135, 145, 155, 165 could be provided all over the relevant end side(s) 121 , 131 , 141 , 151 and/or all over the second, opposite main side 162 of the cage bottom 160.
  • the plurality of protrusions 125, 135, 145, 155, 165 are provided only on a portion of the end side(s) 121 , 131 , 141 , 151 and/or on a portion of the second, opposite main side 162 of the cage bottom 160.
  • the protrusions 125, 135, 145, 155, 165 could be provided in a regular pattern on the end side(s) 121 , 131 , 141, 151 and/or the second, opposite main side 162 or in a more or less irregular or random pattern.
  • the front wall 120 is an arc-shaped, curved or bent front wall 120 as is shown in Figs. 1 to 5.
  • Such an arc-shaped, curved or bent front wall 120 simplifies insertion of the interbody fusion cage 100 at the implantation site in the patient body.
  • the interbody fusion cage 100 is preferably introduced into the implantation site with the front wall 120 first.
  • the opposite side walls 130, 140 are curved side walls 130, 140. In a particular embodiment, the opposite side walls 130, 140 are curved in parallel. In such a particular embodiment, the cage body 110 has a general arc or banana-like shape.
  • the back wall 150 is an arc-shaped, curved or bent back wall 150.
  • the opposite side walls 130, 140 are preferably angled relative to the cage bottom 160 with an angle selected within an interval of from 85° to 95°. In a preferred embodiment, the opposite side walls 130, 140 are angled relative to the cage bottom 160 with an angle of 90°. Hence, in a preferred embodiment, the side walls 130, 140 are perpendicular to the cage bottom 160. In an embodiment, also the front wall 120 and/or the back wall 150 are angled relative to the cage bottom 160 with an angle selected within an interval of from 85° to 95°, and more preferably perpendicular to the cage bottom 160.
  • the cage bottom 160 is preferably a substantially flat cage bottom 160. Such a flat cage bottom 160 simplifies manufacture of the cage body 110, in particular when using 3D printing. In an alternative embodiment, the cage bottom 160 could be curved similar to a keel of a ship.
  • the cage body 110 may have the form similar to a hull of a ship with the front wall 120 corresponding to a bow wall, the side walls 130, 140 corresponding to hull walls, the back wall 150 corresponding to a stern wall and the cage bottom 160 corresponding to a keel bottom.
  • the cage body 110 may have a general arc form or banana-like form with curved, preferably parallel side walls 130, 140.
  • At least one of the front wall 120, the opposite side walls 130, 140 and the back wall 150 comprises at least one through hole through a thickness of the at least one of the front wall 120, the opposite side walls 130, 140 and the back wall 150.
  • the one or more walls 120, 130, 140, 150 could have a single such through hole or multiple through holes. The one or more through holes could then be provided in one or more of these walls 120, 130, 140, 150.
  • the cage bottom 160 could comprise at least one through hole through a thickness of the cage bottom 160.
  • Such through holes reduce the amount of material of the cage body 110 and thereby facilitate bioresorption of the cage body 110 once implanted in the patient body.
  • the through hole(s) may also facilitate ingrowth of tissue into the open internal space 180 of the cage body 110.
  • the one or more through holes could be produced during the production of the interbody fusion cage 100 or be formed, such as drilled, after production of the interbody fusion cage 100.
  • Figs. 1 to 6 illustrate an embodiment of the interbody fusion cage 100 in a perspective view (Fig. 1), a view from above (Fig. 2), a view from below (Fig. 3), a side view (Fig. 4), a front view (Fig. 5) and a rear view (Fig. 6).
  • Fig. 7 schematically illustrates a perspective view of an interbody fusion cage 100 according to another embodiment.
  • this interbody fusion cage 100 in Fig. 7 has a generally smaller size with shorter length of the side walls 130, 140 and lower height of the front wall 120, the side walls 130, 140 and the back wall 150.
  • the interbody fusion cage 100 thereby typically comprises fewer arc-shaped transverse frames 170 as compared to the larger variant shown in Figs. 1 to 6.
  • the interbody fusion cage 100 comprises a frame set comprising the multiple arcshaped transverse frames 170 and a strut set comprising at least one strut.
  • the multiple arc-shaped transverse frames 170 of the frame set are then interconnecting the opposite side walls 130, 140 and the cage bottom 160 and/or the front wall 120 and the back wall 150 and the cage bottom 160.
  • the at least one strut of the strut set interconnects the opposite side walls 130, 140 and/or the front wall 120 and the back wall 150 but distanced from the cage bottom 160. This means that the multiple arc-shaped transverse frames 170 are complemented with at least one strut, or frame or rib.
  • the at least one strut is not connected to the cage bottom 160 but merely interconnects the side walls 130, 140 and/or the front wall 120 and the back wall 150.
  • the at least one strut is arranged above the multiple arc-shaped transverse frames 170.
  • Such an embodiment is in particular advantageous for interbody fusion cages 100 having high front wall 120, side walls 130, 140 and back wall 150.
  • the at least one strut will then provide structural integrity for the interbody fusion cage 100 higher up towards the end sides 121 , 131 , 141 , 151 of the side walls 130, 140 and/or the front wall 120 and the back wall 150 as compared to the multiple arc-shaped transverse frames 170.
  • the at least one strut is preferably distanced further from the cage bottom 160 as compared to the multiple arc-shaped transverse frames 170.
  • the at least one strut in the strut set could be a straight strut or rib extending between the side walls 130, 140 and/or between front wall 120 and the back wall 150.
  • the at least one strut could be arc-shaped and extending either towards the cage bottom 160 but preferably not contacting the cage bottom 160 or extending upwards away from the cage bottom 160.
  • the interbody fusion cage 100 is formed in one piece. Hence, in a preferred embodiment, the interbody fusion cage 100 is integrally formed. As is further described herein, the interbody fusion cage 100 could then be produced in one piece or as an integral cage 100 using 3D printing or injection molding.
  • the interbody fusion cage 100 is preferably made of the bioresorbable material.
  • a minor part of the interbody fusion cage could then be made of a non-resorbable material, such as a metal or metal alloy material, a composite material or a non-resorbable plastic material.
  • the major part of the interbody fusion cage 100 will be resorbed over time thereby leaving a remaining minor part at the implantation site.
  • the interbody fusion cage 100 is made of the bioresorbable material.
  • the whole interbody fusion cage 100 such as made in one piece, is resorbable in a patient body.
  • a currently preferred bioresorbable material for the interbody fusion cage 100 is a bioresorbable polymer material.
  • the bioresorbable polymer material comprises, such as consists of, bioresorbable polymers and/or co-polymers of monomers selected from the group comprising glyclide, L-lactide, p- dioxanone, trimethylene carbonate and s-caprolactone.
  • the bioresorbable polymer material comprises, such as consists of, bioresorbable polymers selected from the group consisting of polyglycolide (PGA), poly-L-lactide (PLLA), polydioxanone (PDO), poly(trimethylene carbonate) (PMTC), polycaprolactone (PCL) and any combination thereof.
  • bioresorbable polymers are selected from the group consisting of PCL, PLLA and a combination thereof.
  • the resorbable interbody fusion case is preferably designed to remain intact at the implant site during several months following implantation, such as from about 6 months to about 24 months, preferably from about 9 months to about 18 months, such as about 12 months, and then start dissolving and being resorbed by the patient body during the following years.
  • Fig. 8 is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of producing an interbody fusion cage 100 according to the invention.
  • the method comprises 3D printing the interbody fusion cage in step S1 .
  • the interbody fusion cage 100 is preferably 3D printed.
  • the interbody fusion cage 100 is 3D printed in one piece using a bioresorbable polymer selected among PGA, PLLA, PDO, PMTC, PCL and any combination thereof, preferably PCL, PLLA and any combination thereof.
  • 3D printing also known as additive manufacturing, is a technique of adding material layer on layer. These are several techniques to deploy the material including melt extrusion, light polymerization, continuous liquid interface production and sintering.
  • 3D printing techniques include stereolithography (SLA), selective laser sintering (SLS), fused deposition modeling (FDM), digital light process (DLP), multi jet fusion (MJF), PolyJet, direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) and electron beam melting (EBM).
  • SLA stereolithography
  • SLS selective laser sintering
  • FDM fused deposition modeling
  • DLP digital light process
  • MJF multi jet fusion
  • PolyJet direct metal laser sintering
  • EBM electron beam melting
  • extrusion-based 3D printing could be used to dispense the bioresorbable polymer layer by layer following tool paths generated in slices from a 3D model.
  • Another 3D printing technique that could be used is so-called light-based 3D printing that produces constructs by initiating chemical reactions that solidify or cure bioinks only where they have been illuminated.
  • Such light-based based techniques typically use DLP or holographic light-based solutions.
  • extrusion and light based 3D printers are available on the marked from Cellink.
  • Fig. 9 is a flow chart illustrating another embodiment of producing an interbody fusion cage 100 according to the invention.
  • the method comprises injection molding the interbody fusion cage 100 in step S2.
  • the interbody fusion cage 100 is injection molded in one piece using a bioresorbable polymer selected among PGA, PLLA, PDO, PMTC, PCL and any combination thereof, preferably PCL, PLLA and any combination thereof.
  • Injection molding is a manufacturing process for producing objects by injecting molten material into a mold.
  • the bioresorbable polymer material is fed into a heated barrel, mixed (typically using a helical screw), and injected into a mold cavity, where it cools and hardens to the configuration of the cavity.

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Abstract

An interbody fusion cage (100) comprises a cage body (110) comprising a front wall (120), opposite side walls (130, 140), a back wall (150) and a cage bottom (160) interconnected to enclose an open internal space (180) of the interbody fusion cage (100). The interbody fusion cage (100) also comprises multiple arc-shaped transverse frames (170) extending towards the cage bottom (160) and interconnecting the opposite side walls (130, 140) and/or the front wall (120) and the back wall (150). At least a portion of the interbody fusion cage (100) is made of a bioresorbable material.

Description

RESORBABLE INTERBODY FUSION CAGE
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention generally relates to interbody fusion cages, also referred to as spinal cages, and in particular such cages made of bioresorbable materials.
BACKGROUND
An interbody fusion cage, commonly known as spinal cage, is a prosthesis used in spinal fusion procedures to maintain foraminal height, vertebral alignment or angulation and, thus, avoid loss of decompression of neural structures. They come in various shapes and materials and may be packed with bone material or ceramic material in order to promote arthrodesis Qoi nt ossification), in this case fusion of vertebrae.
Such interbody fusion cages are inserted into the space between the vertebrae, when the spinal disc is distracted, such that the interbody fusion cage, when threaded, is compressed like a screw. Unthreaded interbody fusion cages can have teeth or roughened surfaces that contact the vertebral end-plates and provide a degree of mechanical fixation.
There are a multitude of interbody fusion cages that have design characteristics adjusted according to their intended location in the spine and the surgical route of implantation; anterior cervical interbody fusion (ACIF), anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF), posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF), transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF), direct or extreme lateral interbody fusion (DLIF or XLIF). Materials used for their construction commonly include titanium and its alloys, polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyetherketoneketone (PEKK) and carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP).
US 9,636,266 discloses a hand and/or wrist implant including a web structure having a space truss with two or more planar truss units having a plurality of struts joined at nodes. The web structure is made of biocompatible metal materials, such as titanium alloy, cobalt, chromium or stainless steel, PEEK or ceramics and is configured for repair of traumatic bone fractures.
The above-mentioned interbody fusion cages are made of metal, polymer or composite materials and are permanent once implanted between vertebrae at the disc space in the spine, typically in the lumbar spine between lumbar vertebrae or in the cervical region. Hence, these interbody fusion cages remain in the patient body throughout the whole life. Such permanent interbody fusion cages, however, have the associated drawback of implant infections if the patient should suffer from an infection. In such a case, the infection may adhere to the implant surface thereby restricting an effective treatment of the infection. It may then be necessary to explant the interbody fusion cage from the patient, which could be problematic and may cause damages to the patient during extraction of the interbody fusion cage.
Interbody fusion cages made of bioresorbable or biodegradable materials have therefore been suggested in the art [1-6]. These bioresorbable interbody fusion cages should then remain implanted for a given period of time and then start to biodegrade and finally be fully resorbed by the patient body. A potential limitation of such bioresorbable interbody fusion cages is the balance between structural integrity to provide optimal support of tissue, such as maintaining distance of intervertebral space, but at the same time minimize the amount of material of the interbody fusion cages to facilitate efficient resorption by the patient body. There is therefore a need for a bioresorbable interbody fusion cage that provides sufficient structural integrity while at the same time facilitates resorption by the patient body and progressive load transfer from the cage to the new bone fusion mass.
SUMMARY
It is a general objective to provide a bioresorbable interbody fusion cage that provides sufficient structural integrity while at the same time facilitates resorption by the patient body and progressive load transfer from the cage to the new bone fusion mass.
This and other objectives are met by the embodiments as disclosed herein.
The present invention relates to an interbody fusion cage and to production thereof as defined in the independent claims. Further embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.
An aspect of the invention relates to an interbody fusion cage comprising a cage body. The cage body comprises a front wall, opposite side walls, a back wall and a cage bottom interconnected to enclose an open internal space of the interbody fusion cage. The interbody fusion cage also comprises multiple arcshaped transverse frames extending towards the cage bottom and interconnecting the opposite side walls and/or the front wall and the back wall. At least a portion of the interbody fusion cage is made of a bioresorbable material. Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of producing an interbody fusion cage according to above. The method comprises three dimensional (3D) printing or injection molding the interbody fusion according to above.
The interbody fusion cage of the invention is designed to support and maintain distance between vertebrae during the healing process and promote fusion of bone tissue. Furthermore, the interbody fusion cage is bioresorbable and will thereby be fully resorbed when support of the vertebrae and bone tissue is no longer needed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The embodiments, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by making reference to the following description taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a perspective view of an interbody fusion cage according to an embodiment;
Fig. 2 is a view from above of the interbody fusion cage shown in Fig. 1 ;
Fig. 3 is a view from below of the interbody fusion cage shown in Fig. 1 ;
Fig. 4 is a side view of the interbody fusion cage shown in Fig. 1 ;
Fig. 5 is a front view of the interbody fusion cage shown in Fig. 1 ;
Fig. 6 is a rear view of the interbody fusion cage shown in Fig. 1;
Fig. 7 schematically illustrates a perspective view of an interbody fusion cage according to another embodiment;
Fig. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a method of producing an interbody fusion cage according to an embodiment; and
Fig. 9 is a flow chart illustrating a method of producing an interbody fusion cage according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present invention generally relates to interbody fusion cages, also referred to as spinal cages, and in particular such cages made of bioresorbable materials.
An interbody fusion cage, commonly known as spinal cage, is a prosthesis used in spinal fusion procedures to maintain foraminal height, vertebral alignment or angulation and, thus, avoid loss of decompression of neural structures. Interbody fusion cages are typically placed in the disc space and should provide support and resist flexion and extension of the spine but at the same time allow bone graft to grow from the vertebral body through the cage and into the next vertebral body. These interbody fusion cages can be placed in various location in the spine and via various surgical approaches; anterior cervical interbody fusion (ACIF), anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF), posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF), transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF), direct or extreme lateral interbody fusion (DLIF or XLIF). The interbody fusion cages could be empty and contain an internal space, into which bone growth takes place. Alternatively, the interbody fusion cages could be packed with material promoting bone growth including bone material, such as autologous bone material, allogenic bone material or even xenogenic bone material, or ceramic material. The packed material then promotes arthrodesis, i.e., joint ossification, in this case fusion of vertebras.
The interbody fusion cages on the market are made of metal or composite material and are permanent once implanted between vertebras at the disc space in the spine, typically in the lumbar spine between lumbar vertebrae or in the cervical region. Such permanent interbody fusion cages, however, have the associated drawback of implant infections if the patient should suffer from an infection. In such a case, the infection may adhere to the implant surface and thereby restricting an effective treatment of the infection. It may then be necessary to explant the interbody fusion cage from the patient, which could be problematic and may cause damages to the patient during extraction of the interbody fusion cage.
The present invention solves or at least reduces the risk of the above mentioned problems of permanent interbody fusion cages by being at least partly made of a bioresorbable material. The interbody fusion cage of the invention will thereby support and maintain distance between vertebrae during the healing process to enable fusion of bone tissue. However, once the healing process is completed or the at least progressed sufficiently far to not require any further support the interbody fusion cage will be resorbed in the patient body. Bioresorbable as used herein refers to a material that dissolves, absorbs or degrades in the body of a subject or patient over time. A bioresorbable material is therefore biodegradable and is naturally dissolving, absorbing or degrading in or by the body over time.
An important feature of the bioresorbable interbody fusion cages is to have a structure that balances the need for support and structural integrity during the healing process while at the same time facilitating bioresorption by the patient body.
The interbody fusion cages of the invention have a cage design and structure that balances these opposite needs of structural integrity while at the same time facilitating bioresorption. A further advantage of the cage design is that the interbody fusion cages can be manufactured using 3D printing or injection molding.
An aspect of the invention relates to an interbody fusion cage 100, see Figs. 1 to 6. The interbody fusion cage 100 comprises a cage body 110 comprising a front wall 120, opposite side walls 130, 140, back wall 150 and a cage bottom 160 interconnected to enclose an open internal space 180 of the interbody fusion cage 100. The interbody fusion cage 100 also comprises multiple arc-shaped transverse frames 170 extending towards the cage bottom 160 and interconnecting the opposite side walls 130, 140 and/or the front wall 120 and the back wall 150. According to the invention, at least a portion of the interbody fusion cage 100 is made of a bioresorbable material.
The interbody fusion cage 100 thereby comprises walls 120, 130, 140, 150 enclosing, together with the cage bottom 160, an open internal space 180. Multiple, i.e., at least two, arc-shaped transverse frames 170 are at least partly arranged in this open internal space 180 and extend towards the cage bottom 160 and interconnect the opposite side walls 130, 140. Alternatively, the multiple arc-shaped transverse frames 170 extend towards the cage bottom 160 and interconnect the front wall 120 and the opposite back wall 150. It is also possible to combine these two embodiments, i.e., having arc-shaped transverse frames 170 extending towards the cage bottom 160 and interconnect the side walls 130, 140 with arcshaped transverse frames 170 extending towards the cage bottom 160 and interconnect the front wall 120 and the back wall 150.
The multiple arc-shaped transverse frames 170 act like frames or ribs and provide structural integrity to the cage body 110. As a consequence, the multiple arc-shaped transverse frames 170 prevent or at least restrict compaction or collapse of the cage body 110 upon application of forces that act onto the opposite side walls 130, 140 and/or onto the front wall 120 and the back wall 150. Hence, the multiple arc-shaped transverse frames 170 restrict the opposite side walls 130, 140 and/or the front wall 120 and the back wall 150 from compressing or collapsing towards each other when external forces act on the walls 120, 130, 140, 150, such as when implanted in the patient body.
In an embodiment, the interbody fusion cage 100 comprises at least two such arc-shaped transverse frames 170 disposed or distributed along the length of the side walls 130, 140 and/or of the front and back walls 120, 150. It is generally preferred to have the multiple arc-shaped transverse frames 170 evenly distributed throughout the whole length of the walls 120, 130, 140, 150 as is best seen in Figs. 1 and 2. In such a preferred embodiment, the distance between adjacent or neighboring arc-shaped transverse frames 170 is preferably substantially the same for all arc-shaped transverse frames 170. Such a design improves the stability of the cage body 110. The embodiments are, however, not limited thereto and also encompass having different distances between adjacent or neighboring arc-shaped transverse frames 170.
In an embodiment, the multiple arc-shaped transverse frames 170 are multiple transverse frames, struts or ribs 170 interconnecting the opposite side walls 130, 140 and the cage bottom 160 and/or the front wall 120, the back wall 150 and the cage bottom 160. In this embodiment, the arc-shaped transverse frames 170 are transverse frames 170 that not only extend between opposite walls 120, 130, 140, 150 but also interconnect the walls 120, 130, 140, 150 with the cage bottom 160. Hence, the multiple transverse frames 170 are at least arc-shaped as shown in Fig. 1. This means that an arc-shaped transverse frame 170 thereby extends from one side wall 130 or the front wall 120, or more correctly from the inner side of the side wall 130 or the front wall 120 facing the open internal space 180, down to the cage bottom 160, or more correctly a first main side 161 of the cage bottom 160 facing the open internal space 180, and up to the other side wall 140 or the back wall 120, or more correctly up to the inner side of the other side wall 140 or the back wall 150 facing the open internal space 180.
In an embodiment, at least one arc-shaped transverse frame 170 of the multiple arc-shaped transverse frames 170 extends from an end 131 of a first side wall 130 of the opposite side walls 130, 140 to the cage bottom 160 and up to an end 141 of a second side wall 140 of the opposite side walls 130, 140 and/or from an end 121 of the front wall 120 to the cage bottom 160 and up to an end 151 of the back wall 150. Fig. 1 illustrates such an embodiment with at least a portion ofthe arc-shaped transverse frames 170 extending from the ends 131 , 141 of the opposite side walls 130, 140 in an arc down towards the cage bottom 160. Such as design of the arc-shaped transverse frames 170 achieves a high stability to the cage body 110 as compared to having transverse frames 170 merely extending from portions of the opposite side walls 130, 140 close to the cage bottom 160. The ends 121 , 131, 141, 151 of the side walls 130, 140, the front wall 120 and the back wall 150 are the ends 121 , 131 , 141 , 151 of these walls 120, 130, 140, 150 opposite to the cage bottom 160, i.e., facing away from the cage bottom 160.
In an embodiment, the arc-shaped transverse frames 170 are attached to merely a portion of the side walls 130, 140 or the front wall 120 and the back wall 150 and where this portion is preferably an upper portion extending from the end 121 , 131 , 141 , 151 of the respective wall 120, 130, 140, 150 down a distance towards the cage bottom 160. In such an embodiment, there will be a small gap between the arc-shaped transverse frames 170 and the lower part of the walls 120, 130, 140, 150 close to the cage bottom 160 as the arc-shaped transverse frames 170 arch towards the cage bottom 160.
In another embodiment, the arc-shaped transverse frames 170 are attached to substantially the whole length of the side walls 130, 140 or the front wall 120 and the back wall 150, i.e., from the end thereof 121 , 131 , 141 , 151 down to the cage bottom 160. In such an embodiment, the arc-shaped transverse frames 170 fully interconnect the whole length of the side walls 130, 140 and/or the front wall 120 and the back wall 150 with the cage bottom 160.
As is more clearly seen in Figs. 2 to 4, in an embodiment, the cage bottom 160 comprises a first main side 161 facing the open internal space 180 of the interbody fusion cage (see Fig. 2) and a second, opposite main side 162 (see Fig. 3). In this embodiment, the second, opposite main side 162 of the cage bottom 160 comprises a plurality of protrusions 165.
Correspondingly, in an embodiment, an end side 121 , 131 , 141 , 151 of at least one of the front wall 120, the opposite side walls 130, 140 and the back wall 150 facing opposite to the cage bottom 160 comprises a plurality of protrusions 125, 135, 145, 155.
In an embodiment, such a plurality of protrusions 125, 135, 145, 155, 165 is provided on the second, opposite main side 162 of the cage bottom 160, or at least a portion thereof; on the end side 121 of the front wall 120, or at least a portion thereof; on the end side 131 , 141 of one or both side walls 130, 140, or at least a portion thereof; or on the end side 151 of the back wall 150, or at least a portion thereof. In another embodiment, a plurality of protrusions 125, 135, 145, 155, 165 is provided on the end side 121 of the front wall 120 and on the second, opposite main side 162 of the cage bottom 160, or at least a portion thereof; on the on the end side 121 of the front wall 120 and on the end side 131 , 141 of one or both side walls 130, 140, or at least a portion thereof; on the on the end side 121 of the front wall 120 and on the end side 151 of the back wall 150, or at least a portion thereof; on the end side 131 , 141 of one or both side walls 130, 140 and on the second, opposite main side 162 of the cage bottom 160, or at least a portion thereof; on the end side 131 , 141 of one or both side walls 130, 140 and on the end side 151 of the back wall 150, or at least a portion thereof; or on the end side 151 of the back wall 150 and on the second, opposite main side 162 of the cage bottom 160, or at least a portion thereof. In another embodiment, the plurality of protrusions 125, 135, 145, 155, 165 is provided on the end side 121 of the front wall 120, on the second, opposite main side 162 of the cage bottom 160 and on the end side 131 , 141 of one or both side walls 130, 140, or at least a portion thereof; on the end side 121 of the front wall 120, on the second, opposite main side 162 of the cage bottom 160 and on the end side 151 of the back wall 150, or at least a portion thereof; on the end side 121 of the front wall 120, on the end side 131 , 141 of one or both side walls 130, 140 and on the end side 151 of the back wall 150, or at least a portion thereof; on the end side 131 , 141 of one or both side walls 130, 140, on the second, opposite main side 162 of the cage bottom 160 and on the end side 151 of the back wall 150, or at least a portion thereof. In a further embodiment, the plurality of protrusions 125, 135, 145, 155, 165 is provided on the end side 121 of the front wall 120, on the end side 131 , 141 of one or both side walls 130, 140, on the end side 151 of the back wall 150 and on the second, opposite main side 162 of the cage bottom 160, or at least a portion thereof.
The protrusions 125, 135, 145, 155, 165 are provided to facilitate engagement of the interbody fusion cage 100 with surrounding tissue when implanted in a patient body and thereby reduces the risk of the interbody fusion cage 100 moving once implanted. The protrusions 124, 135, 145, 155, 165, hence, facilitate fixation and tissue integration of the interbody fusion cage 100. The protrusions 125, 135, 145, 155, 165 could be any structures extending from the end sides 121 , 131 , 141 , 151 of the front wall 120, the side walls 130, 140 and/or the back wall 150 and/or from the second, opposite main side 162 of the cage bottom 160. Illustrative, but non-limiting, examples of such protrusions 125, 135, 145, 155, 165 include studs, spikes and dubs. The protrusions 125, 135, 145, 155, 165 may have various shapes including, but not limited to, pyramid shape, bulled shape, needle shape, cylinder shape, cone shape, truncated cone shape, block shape or cube shape.
The plurality of protrusions 125, 135, 145, 155, 165 could be provided all over the relevant end side(s) 121 , 131 , 141 , 151 and/or all over the second, opposite main side 162 of the cage bottom 160. Alternatively, the plurality of protrusions 125, 135, 145, 155, 165 are provided only on a portion of the end side(s) 121 , 131 , 141 , 151 and/or on a portion of the second, opposite main side 162 of the cage bottom 160.
The protrusions 125, 135, 145, 155, 165 could be provided in a regular pattern on the end side(s) 121 , 131 , 141, 151 and/or the second, opposite main side 162 or in a more or less irregular or random pattern.
In an embodiment, the front wall 120 is an arc-shaped, curved or bent front wall 120 as is shown in Figs. 1 to 5. Such an arc-shaped, curved or bent front wall 120 simplifies insertion of the interbody fusion cage 100 at the implantation site in the patient body. In such a case, the interbody fusion cage 100 is preferably introduced into the implantation site with the front wall 120 first.
In an embodiment, the opposite side walls 130, 140 are curved side walls 130, 140. In a particular embodiment, the opposite side walls 130, 140 are curved in parallel. In such a particular embodiment, the cage body 110 has a general arc or banana-like shape.
In an embodiment, the back wall 150 is an arc-shaped, curved or bent back wall 150.
The opposite side walls 130, 140 are preferably angled relative to the cage bottom 160 with an angle selected within an interval of from 85° to 95°. In a preferred embodiment, the opposite side walls 130, 140 are angled relative to the cage bottom 160 with an angle of 90°. Hence, in a preferred embodiment, the side walls 130, 140 are perpendicular to the cage bottom 160. In an embodiment, also the front wall 120 and/or the back wall 150 are angled relative to the cage bottom 160 with an angle selected within an interval of from 85° to 95°, and more preferably perpendicular to the cage bottom 160.
The cage bottom 160 is preferably a substantially flat cage bottom 160. Such a flat cage bottom 160 simplifies manufacture of the cage body 110, in particular when using 3D printing. In an alternative embodiment, the cage bottom 160 could be curved similar to a keel of a ship.
In an embodiment, the cage body 110 may have the form similar to a hull of a ship with the front wall 120 corresponding to a bow wall, the side walls 130, 140 corresponding to hull walls, the back wall 150 corresponding to a stern wall and the cage bottom 160 corresponding to a keel bottom. In another embodiment, the cage body 110 may have a general arc form or banana-like form with curved, preferably parallel side walls 130, 140.
In an embodiment, at least one of the front wall 120, the opposite side walls 130, 140 and the back wall 150 comprises at least one through hole through a thickness of the at least one of the front wall 120, the opposite side walls 130, 140 and the back wall 150. The one or more walls 120, 130, 140, 150 could have a single such through hole or multiple through holes. The one or more through holes could then be provided in one or more of these walls 120, 130, 140, 150.
Alternatively, or in addition, the cage bottom 160 could comprise at least one through hole through a thickness of the cage bottom 160.
Such through holes reduce the amount of material of the cage body 110 and thereby facilitate bioresorption of the cage body 110 once implanted in the patient body. The through hole(s) may also facilitate ingrowth of tissue into the open internal space 180 of the cage body 110.
The one or more through holes could be produced during the production of the interbody fusion cage 100 or be formed, such as drilled, after production of the interbody fusion cage 100.
Figs. 1 to 6 illustrate an embodiment of the interbody fusion cage 100 in a perspective view (Fig. 1), a view from above (Fig. 2), a view from below (Fig. 3), a side view (Fig. 4), a front view (Fig. 5) and a rear view (Fig. 6). Fig. 7 schematically illustrates a perspective view of an interbody fusion cage 100 according to another embodiment. As compared to the interbody fusion cage 100 shown in Figs. 1 to 6, this interbody fusion cage 100 in Fig. 7 has a generally smaller size with shorter length of the side walls 130, 140 and lower height of the front wall 120, the side walls 130, 140 and the back wall 150. Accordingly, the interbody fusion cage 100 thereby typically comprises fewer arc-shaped transverse frames 170 as compared to the larger variant shown in Figs. 1 to 6.
In an embodiment, the interbody fusion cage 100 comprises a frame set comprising the multiple arcshaped transverse frames 170 and a strut set comprising at least one strut. The multiple arc-shaped transverse frames 170 of the frame set are then interconnecting the opposite side walls 130, 140 and the cage bottom 160 and/or the front wall 120 and the back wall 150 and the cage bottom 160. In clear contrast, the at least one strut of the strut set interconnects the opposite side walls 130, 140 and/or the front wall 120 and the back wall 150 but distanced from the cage bottom 160. This means that the multiple arc-shaped transverse frames 170 are complemented with at least one strut, or frame or rib. In clear contrast to the multiple art-shaped transverse frames 170, the at least one strut is not connected to the cage bottom 160 but merely interconnects the side walls 130, 140 and/or the front wall 120 and the back wall 150. In a preferred embodiment, the at least one strut is arranged above the multiple arc-shaped transverse frames 170. Such an embodiment is in particular advantageous for interbody fusion cages 100 having high front wall 120, side walls 130, 140 and back wall 150. The at least one strut will then provide structural integrity for the interbody fusion cage 100 higher up towards the end sides 121 , 131 , 141 , 151 of the side walls 130, 140 and/or the front wall 120 and the back wall 150 as compared to the multiple arc-shaped transverse frames 170. Hence, the at least one strut is preferably distanced further from the cage bottom 160 as compared to the multiple arc-shaped transverse frames 170.
The at least one strut in the strut set could be a straight strut or rib extending between the side walls 130, 140 and/or between front wall 120 and the back wall 150. Alternatively, the at least one strut could be arc-shaped and extending either towards the cage bottom 160 but preferably not contacting the cage bottom 160 or extending upwards away from the cage bottom 160.
In an embodiment, the interbody fusion cage 100 is formed in one piece. Hence, in a preferred embodiment, the interbody fusion cage 100 is integrally formed. As is further described herein, the interbody fusion cage 100 could then be produced in one piece or as an integral cage 100 using 3D printing or injection molding.
In an embodiment, at least a major part of the interbody fusion cage 100 is preferably made of the bioresorbable material. In such an embodiment, a minor part of the interbody fusion cage could then be made of a non-resorbable material, such as a metal or metal alloy material, a composite material or a non-resorbable plastic material. In such an embodiment, the major part of the interbody fusion cage 100 will be resorbed over time thereby leaving a remaining minor part at the implantation site.
In a preferred embodiment, the interbody fusion cage 100 is made of the bioresorbable material. Hence, in a preferred embodiment, the whole interbody fusion cage 100, such as made in one piece, is resorbable in a patient body. A currently preferred bioresorbable material for the interbody fusion cage 100 is a bioresorbable polymer material.
In an embodiment, the bioresorbable polymer material comprises, such as consists of, bioresorbable polymers and/or co-polymers of monomers selected from the group comprising glyclide, L-lactide, p- dioxanone, trimethylene carbonate and s-caprolactone.
In a particular embodiment, the bioresorbable polymer material comprises, such as consists of, bioresorbable polymers selected from the group consisting of polyglycolide (PGA), poly-L-lactide (PLLA), polydioxanone (PDO), poly(trimethylene carbonate) (PMTC), polycaprolactone (PCL) and any combination thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the bioresorbable polymers are selected from the group consisting of PCL, PLLA and a combination thereof.
The resorbable interbody fusion case is preferably designed to remain intact at the implant site during several months following implantation, such as from about 6 months to about 24 months, preferably from about 9 months to about 18 months, such as about 12 months, and then start dissolving and being resorbed by the patient body during the following years.
Fig. 8 is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of producing an interbody fusion cage 100 according to the invention. The method comprises 3D printing the interbody fusion cage in step S1 .
Hence, in an embodiment, the interbody fusion cage 100 is preferably 3D printed. In a particular embodiment, the interbody fusion cage 100 is 3D printed in one piece using a bioresorbable polymer selected among PGA, PLLA, PDO, PMTC, PCL and any combination thereof, preferably PCL, PLLA and any combination thereof.
Various 3D printing techniques are possible to produce the interbody fusion cage 100 of the invention. Generally, 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is a technique of adding material layer on layer. These are several techniques to deploy the material including melt extrusion, light polymerization, continuous liquid interface production and sintering. Illustrative, but non-limiting, examples of 3D printing techniques that could be used include stereolithography (SLA), selective laser sintering (SLS), fused deposition modeling (FDM), digital light process (DLP), multi jet fusion (MJF), PolyJet, direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) and electron beam melting (EBM). For instance, extrusion-based 3D printing could be used to dispense the bioresorbable polymer layer by layer following tool paths generated in slices from a 3D model. Another 3D printing technique that could be used is so-called light-based 3D printing that produces constructs by initiating chemical reactions that solidify or cure bioinks only where they have been illuminated. Such light-based based techniques typically use DLP or holographic light-based solutions. Such extrusion and light based 3D printers are available on the marked from Cellink.
Fig. 9 is a flow chart illustrating another embodiment of producing an interbody fusion cage 100 according to the invention. The method comprises injection molding the interbody fusion cage 100 in step S2. In a particular embodiment, the interbody fusion cage 100 is injection molded in one piece using a bioresorbable polymer selected among PGA, PLLA, PDO, PMTC, PCL and any combination thereof, preferably PCL, PLLA and any combination thereof.
Injection molding is a manufacturing process for producing objects by injecting molten material into a mold. In such a case, the bioresorbable polymer material is fed into a heated barrel, mixed (typically using a helical screw), and injected into a mold cavity, where it cools and hardens to the configuration of the cavity.
The embodiments described above are to be understood as a few illustrative examples of the present invention. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications, combinations and changes may be made to the embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. In particular, different part solutions in the different embodiments can be combined in other configurations, where technically possible.
REFERENCES
1 US 2019/0099522
2 Wuisman et al., Resorbable cages for spinal fusion: an experimental goat model, J Neurosurg (Spine 4) 97: 433-439 (2002)
3 US 2020/0390933
4 Yin et al., Application of biodegradable 3D-printed cage for cervical diseases via anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF): an in vitro biomechanical study, Biotechnol Lett 39(9): 1433-1439 (2017) Wuisman and Smit, Bioresorbable polymers: heading for a new generation of spinal cages, Eur Spine J 15(2): 133-148 (2006) Vaccaro et al., The use of bioabsorbable implants in the spine, The Spine Journal 3: 227-237 (2003)

Claims

1 . An interbody fusion cage (100) comprising: a cage body (110) comprising a front wall (120), opposite side walls (130, 140), a back wall (150) and a cage bottom (160) interconnected to enclose an open internal space (180) of the interbody fusion cage (100); and multiple arc-shaped transverse frames (170) extending towards the cage bottom (160) and interconnecting the opposite side walls (130, 140) and/or the front wall (120) and the back wall (150), wherein at least a portion of the interbody fusion cage (100) is made of a bioresorbable material.
2. The interbody fusion cage according to claim 1 , wherein the interbody fusion cage (100) comprises: a frame set comprising the multiple arch-shaped transverse frames (170); and a strut set comprising at least one strut, wherein the multiple arc-shaped transverse frames (170) of the frame set interconnect the opposite side walls (130, 140) and the cage bottom (160) and/or the front wall (120), the back wall (150) and the cage bottom (160); and the at least one strut of the strut set interconnects the opposite side walls (130, 140) and/or the front wall (120) and the back wall (150) but distanced from the cage bottom (160).
3. The interbody fusion cage according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the multiple arc-shaped transverse frames (170) interconnect the opposite side walls (130, 140) and the cage bottom (160) and/or the front wall (120), the back wall (150) and the cage bottom (160).
4. The interbody fusion cage according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least one arc-shaped transverse frame (170) of the multiple arc-shaped transverse frames (170) extends from an end (131) of a first side wall (130) of the opposite side walls (130, 140) to the cage bottom (160) and up to an end (141 ) of a second side wall (140) of the opposite side walls (130, 140) and/or from an end (121 ) of the front wall (120) to the cage bottom (160) and up to an end (151) of the back wall (150).
5. The interbody fusion cage according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the cage bottom (160) comprises a first main side (161) facing the open internal space (180) of the interbody fusion cage (100) and a second, opposite main side (162); and the second, opposite main side (162) comprises a plurality of protrusions (165).
6. The interbody fusion cage according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein an end side (121 , 131 , 141, 151) of at least one of the front wall (121), opposite side walls (130, 140) and back wall (150) facing opposite to the cage bottom (160) comprises a plurality of protrusions (125, 135, 145, 155).
7. The interbody fusion cage according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the front wall (120) is a curved front wall (120).
8. The interbody fusion cage according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the opposite side walls (130, 140) are angled relative to the cage bottom (160) with an angle selected within an interval of from 85° to 95°, preferably about 90°.
9. The interbody fusion cage according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the cage bottom (160) is a substantially flat cage bottom (160).
10. The interbody fusion cage according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein at least one of the front wall (120), opposite side walls (130, 140) and back wall (150) comprises at least one through hole through a thickness of the at least one of the front wall (120), opposite side walls (130, 140) and back wall (150).
11 . The interbody fusion cage according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the cage bottom (160) comprises at least one through hole through a thickness of the cage bottom (160).
12. The interbody fusion cage according to any one of claims 1 to 11 , wherein the opposite side walls (130, 140) are curved side walls 130, 140 curved in parallel.
13. The interbody fusion cage according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the interbody fusion cage (100) is formed in one piece.
14. The interbody fusion cage according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the interbody fusion cage (100) is made of the bioresorbable material.
15. The interbody fusion cage according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the bioresorbable material is a bioresorbable polymer material.
16. The interbody fusion cage according to claim 15, wherein the bioresorbable polymer material comprises bioresorbable polymers and/or co-polymers of monomers selected from the group comprising glyclide, L-lactide, p-dioxanone, trimethylene carbonate and s-caprolactone.
17. The interbody fusion cage according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the bioresorbable polymer material comprises bioresorbable polymers selected from the group consisting of polyglycolide (PGA), poly-L- lactide (PLLA), polydioxanone (PDO), poly(trimethylene carbonate) (PMTC), polycaprolactone (PCL) and any combination thereof.
18. The interbody fusion cage according to claim 17, wherein the bioresorbable polymers are selected from the group consisting of PCL, PLLA and a combination thereof.
19. A method of producing an interbody fusion cage (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 17, the method comprising three dimensional (3D) printing (S1 ) the interbody fusion cage (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 18.
20. A method of producing an interbody fusion cage (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 17, the method comprising injection molding (S2) the interbody fusion cage (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 18.
PCT/SE2023/050239 2022-03-22 2023-03-20 Resorbable interbody fusion cage WO2023182916A1 (en)

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