Disposable articulated spacing device for surgical treatment of joints of the human body

Abstract

A disposable articulated spacing device for the treatment of joints of the human body, particularly for temporarily replacing an explanted joint prosthesis, comprises at least one first member able to be secured to a first articulation end and at least one second member able to be secured to the other articulation end, both said members being pre-formed and made entirely of biological compatible and porous material suitable to be added with pharmaceutical and therapeutical products. The pre-formed members are reciprocally coupled in an articulated manner to maintain a suitable joint space and at least a partial articulation for the time necessary to perform the further implantation of a joint prosthesis. The biologically compatible and porous material is chosen among metals, metallic alloys, organo-metals, ceramics, glasses, plastics materials, bone cements and combinations thereof. The articulated spacing device maintains a suitable space in the joint seat while allowing considerable articulated mobility, and re-establishes suitable conditions of implantation of a new permanent joint prosthesis.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention is generally applicable to surgical treatment of articulations of the human body and in particular relates to a disposable spacing device for temporary replacement of joint prosthesis which have to be explanted due to unsuccessful septic or aseptic implantation of artificial joints. [0002] According to the well known surgical “dual stage” method, the above spacing device can be maintained in the joint seat as long as necessary for re-establishing the most favourable conditions of implantation of the new artificial joint prosthesis. BACKGROUND ART [0003] It is known how artificial joints, such as knee, hip, heel and elbow joints often have to be removed for various reasons and mainly following local infections after a surgical implant. [0004] In such a case, it is not possible to replace immediately the unsuccessful prosthesis with a new one, but the seat of the joint must be treated with suitable antibiotics before a new surgical operatio...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013] A further object is to provide a disposable articulated spacing device which allows to maintain a in a healing environment a suitable articular space for the time necessary to successfully re-implant a new permanent prosthesis.

[0014] A further object is to provide a disposable articulated spacing device which allows correct articulation and an anatomical and ergonomic form of the temporary implant.

[0015] Yet another object is to provide a disposable articulated spacing device which can be easily implanted and explanted into / from the location of the joint.

[0016] Yet another object is to provide a disposable articulated spacing device with limited articular friction so as to allow considerable mobility of the joint and improve the quality of life of the patient during hospitalisation.

Problems solved by technology

In such a case, it is not possible to replace immediately the unsuccessful prosthesis with a new one, but the seat of the joint must be treated with suitable antibiotics before a new surgical operation can be performed.

A drawback of these known methods of treatment is that they do not allow the space within the joint to be kept apart in an ergonomically and anatomically correct manner.

Moreover, the long time required for preparation increases the difficulties for the surgeon and reduces the probability of success of the operation.

However, these known spacing devices do not allow mobilisation of the joint and result in the need for a long rehabilitation after reimplanting the permanent prosthesis.

Although this solution allows a temporary articulation, it is difficult to prepare and in spite of use of cement-lined prostheses requires that such devices are positioned in infected seats, which most of the surgeon consider a worsening infection factor.

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