Surgical implant device incorporating lattice volume and associated method of manufacture

Abstract

To provide a surgical implant device such as a spinal or other orthopedic implant device that integrates both a solid surface and an internal lattice volume.SOLUTION: The present disclosure provides a surgical implant device 10, including: a solid surface 12; and a lattice structure disposed adjacent to the solid surface, wherein the lattice structure includes a first plurality of struts 14c that define a first plurality of voids adjacent to the solid surface and a second plurality of struts 14d that define a second plurality of voids remote from the solid surface. Each of the first plurality of struts 14c has an average cross-sectional diameter that is smaller than an average cross-sectional diameter of each of the second plurality of struts 14d. Each of the first plurality of voids has an average internal diameter that is smaller than an average internal diameter of each of the second plurality of voids.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to the field of surgical and medical devices. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to surgical implant devices incorporating lattice volume and related manufacturing methods.

Background Art

[0002] There are various conventional surgical implant devices such as spinal and other orthopedic implant devices, which, especially when such surgical implant devices are manufactured from metal and / or polymer materials, attempt to maintain structural integrity and strength while providing a degree of elasticity to such surgical implant devices and incorporating internal voids intended to provide areas for the placement of bone grafts and for the internal growth and purchase of bone. Weight reduction may also be considered in some applications. These internal voids may take the form of, for example, discrete holes and / or pores, strut assemblies, and / or lattice volume. However, to date, such conventional surgical implant devices do not function well and / or are difficult to manufacture.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] In various exemplary embodiments, the present disclosure provides a surgical implant device, such as a spinal or other orthopedic implant device that incorporates both a solid surface and an internal lattice volume. Specifically, an anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) cage is provided as an example. This internal lattice volume utilizes more, smaller pores and fine struts adjacent to the solid surface, and fewer, larger pores and thicker struts further away from the solid surface, thereby providing excellent elasticity, internal bone growth and bone ingrowth, and structural integrity and strength properties. Conventional internal voids and the like may also be provided for bone graft placement and the like. The surgical implant device of the present disclosure is developed using a computer-aided design (CAD) model and manufactured from a metal (e.g., titanium) or polymer (e.g., polyetheretherketone (PEEK)) material using an additive manufacturing process such as three-dimensional (3D) printing, or many conventional manufacturing processes.

[0004] In one exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure provides a surgical implant device comprising a solid surface and a lattice structure disposed adjacent to the solid surface, the lattice structure comprising a first plurality of struts defining a first plurality of voids adjacent to the solid surface and a second plurality of struts defining a second plurality of voids spaced apart from the solid surface. Each of the first plurality of struts has an average cross-sectional diameter smaller than the average cross-sectional diameter of each of the second plurality of struts. Each of the first plurality of voids has an average inner diameter smaller than the average inner diameter of each of the second plurality of voids. The first plurality of struts and the first plurality of voids have an overall material density substantially equal to that of the second plurality of struts and the second plurality of voids. Optionally, the lattice structure further comprises a third plurality of struts disposed between the first plurality of struts and the first plurality of voids and defining a third plurality of voids coupling the first plurality of struts and the first plurality of voids to the second plurality of struts and the second plurality of voids. Optionally, the solid surface is disposed on an external periphery of the surgical implant device. Alternatively, the solid surface is disposed inside the surgical implant device. The solid surface and the lattice structure are integrally formed. The surgical implant device also comprises a porous surface populated with needles disposed adjacent to the solid surface facing the lattice structure. The solid surface and the porous surface populated with needles are integrally formed.

[0005] In another exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method for manufacturing a surgical implant device, the method comprising: specifying a portion of a virtual volume as a solid surface; selecting a first plurality of points within the virtual volume adjacent to the solid surface on which a first plurality of struts defining a first plurality of voids are disposed; selecting a second plurality of points within the virtual volume remote from the solid surface on which a second plurality of struts defining a second plurality of voids are disposed; disposing the first plurality of struts defining the first plurality of voids within the virtual volume using the first plurality of points; disposing the second plurality of struts defining the second plurality of voids within the virtual volume using the second plurality of points. The method also includes thickening each of the first plurality of struts and the second plurality of struts within the virtual volume such that each of the first plurality of struts has an average cross-sectional diameter smaller than the average cross-sectional diameter of each of the second plurality of struts. The method further includes thickening each of the first plurality of struts and the second plurality of struts within the virtual volume such that each of the first plurality of voids has an average inner diameter smaller than the average inner diameter of each of the second plurality of voids. The method further includes thickening each of the first plurality of struts and the second plurality of struts within the virtual volume such that the first plurality of struts and the first plurality of voids have an overall material density substantially equal to that of the second plurality of struts and the second plurality of voids. Optionally, the solid surface is disposed on the outer periphery of the virtual volume. Alternatively, the solid surface is disposed within the virtual volume. The method further includes additive manufacturing of the surgical implant device using the specified solid surface and the virtual volume including the disposed first plurality of struts defining the first plurality of voids and the second plurality of struts defining the second plurality of voids. The method also includes defining a porous surface adjacent to the solid surface on which needles are mounted. The method further includes additive manufacturing of the solid surface and the porous surface on which needles are mounted. The method includes additive manufacturing of the solid surface and the porous surface on which needles are mounted from one of a metallic material and a polymeric material.

[0006] This disclosure is shown and described with reference to various drawings, and where appropriate, like reference numbers are used to indicate components / method steps of like devices.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

Figure 1

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Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] Repeatedly, the present disclosure provides surgical implant devices such as spinal or other orthopedic implant devices that incorporate both a solid surface and an internal lattice volume. Specifically, an ALIF cage is provided as an example. This internal lattice volume utilizes a greater number of smaller pores and thinner struts adjacent to the solid surface, as well as a fewer number of larger pores and thicker struts further from the solid surface, thereby providing excellent elasticity, internal bone growth and bone ingrowth, as well as structural integrity and strength characteristics. Conventional internal voids and the like may also be provided for placement of bone grafts and the like. The surgical implant devices of the present disclosure are developed using CAD models and manufactured from metallic (e.g., titanium) or polymeric (e.g., PEEK) materials using additive manufacturing processes such as 3D printing, or more traditional manufacturing processes.

[0009] Referring specifically to FIG. 1 here, in one exemplary embodiment, the implant device 10 of the present disclosure comprises one or more solid surfaces 12. These solid surfaces 12 represent bone contacting surfaces, screw hole surfaces, port surfaces, component receiving surfaces, and / or the like. The solid surfaces 12 may be disposed peripherally around the outer periphery of the implant device 10, but may also be middevice surfaces of the device, and / or may be disposed around the internal periphery of the implant device 10. As used herein, "solid" means having a relatively high density and / or low porosity compared to the adjacent lattice volume 14. Thus, the solid surface 12 may be a unitary metal surface or polymer surface, and / or may itself have a lower degree of porosity than the adjacent lattice volume 14. The solid surface 12 can surround the entire outside or only a part of the outside of the implant device 12. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the ALIF cage 16 is provided with solid surfaces 12 utilized for bone contacting surfaces, screw hole surfaces, and screw retainer receiving surfaces. The lattice volume 14 is exposed around the outer periphery of the ALIF cage 16 and around the inner periphery of a bone graft receiving void 18 formed at the center of the ALIF cage 16.

[0010] The interior of the implant device 10 is composed of a lattice volume 14 disposed adjacent to and / or between solid surfaces 12. The lattice volume 14 defines a greater number of smaller pores 14a adjacent to the solid surface 12 and a smaller number of larger pores 14b spaced away from the solid surface 12. Correspondingly, the lattice volume 14 utilizes a greater number of thinner struts 14c adjacent to the solid surface 12 and a smaller number of thicker struts 14d spaced away from the solid surface 12. These pores 14a, 14b may have regular or random shapes, dimensions, and / or volumes. Similarly, these struts 14c, 14d may have regular or random cross-sectional shapes, lengths, and / or diameters.

[0011] Repeat, the implant device 10 of the present disclosure is developed using a CAD model and manufactured from a metal (e.g., titanium) or polymer (e.g., PEEK) material using an additive manufacturing process such as 3D printing or a more traditional manufacturing process. In the case of additive manufacturing, the lattice volume 14 including the solid surface 12 and the struts 14c, 14d is integrally formed.

[0012] As will be described in more detail below herein, one or more of the solid surfaces 12 can include a porous surface 20 disposed on the solid surface 12 opposite the lattice volume 14. This porous surface 20 can be composed of a simple roughened or patterned surface that promotes bone gripping, or it can be composed of a secondary lattice volume 22 with needles implemented that further promotes bone gripping. Repeat, in the case of additive manufacturing, one or more of the solid surfaces 12 and the porous surface 20 including the secondary lattice volume 22 with needles implemented are integrally formed. Thus, the implant device 10 includes the solid surface 12, an intervening lattice volume 14, and a bone-contacting porous surface 20.

[0013] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the overall methodology for generating the implant device 10 of Figure 1. A CAD model 24 is provided that highlights three distinct regions: (1) a solid surface 12, (2) a lattice volume 14, and (3) a porous surface 20. Using a software application, a Voronoi Volume Lattice (VVL) 26 is generated within the lattice volume 14, which replaces the solid material that would otherwise be present within the lattice volume 14. The generation of this VVL 26 requires the selection of random and / or ordered points within the lattice volume 14 that will become the centers of the voids or pores of the VVL 26. Here, the ordered points may be generated manually, may be generated based on solid geometry, and / or may be generated by mathematical equations. To achieve a desired variation in void or pore density, for example, if the VVL 26 is interconnected at sub-volume boundaries, the lattice volume 14 may be segmented into sub-volumes or regions having a finer VVL grain size in the sub-volumes adjacent to the solid surface 12 and a coarser VVL grain size in the sub-volumes further away from the solid surface 12. Preferably, a discrete set of two points is selected and utilized to generate the VVL 26.

[0014] Referring specifically to Figure 3 here, a first discrete set of points 32 (Figure 4) is selected by applying a relatively fine virtual mesh 28 to the lattice volume 14. This virtual mesh 28 may be uniform, for example, the virtual mesh intersects the solid surface 12 and utilizes edge lengths on the order of 1.75 - 2 mm. It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that other dimensions may be used as well.

[0015] Referring specifically to Figure 4 here, the vertices 30 of the virtual mesh 28 (Figure 3) having the solid surface 12 are then selected as the first discrete set of points 32.

[0016] Referring specifically to FIG. 5 here, a second discrete set of points 34 is randomly selected or generated within the lattice volume 14 and spaced adjacent to the solid surface 12 by about 3 mm and about 4 mm away from the solid surface 12. It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that other dimensions can be used as well.

[0017] Referring specifically to FIG. 6 here, the first discrete set of points 32 (FIG. 4) and the second discrete set of points 34 (FIG. 5) are combined and used to generate the VVL 26, where the points 32, 34 represent the centers of voids or pores (or alternatively the intersections of the struts of the VVL 26). Next, the VVL 26 is trimmed to fit within the lattice volume 14. As a result, a skeleton of the lattice volume 14 is obtained. When all the struts have the same cross-sectional diameter, the lattice volume 14 adjacent to the solid surface 12 is thicker and less porous (FIGS. 1 - 5), and the lattice volume 14 away from the solid surface 12 is finer and more porous. This is because more points 32 and voids or pores are provided adjacent to the solid surface 12.

[0018] Referring specifically to FIG. 7 here, the skeleton of the lattice volume 14 becomes thicker. The struts 14c (FIGS. 1 - 5) adjacent to the solid surface 12 increase, for example, up to about 0.45 mm, while the struts 14d away from the solid surface 12 increase, for example, up to about 1 mm. It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that other dimensions can be used as well. Furthermore, the thickness of a given strut 14c, 14d can be varied along its length. The smaller struts 14c adjacent to the solid surface 12 surround smaller and more densely packed pores 14a, and the larger struts 14d away from the solid surface 12 surround larger and less densely packed pores 14b, so that the two regions can have the same porosity, for example, 60 - 85%. It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that other porosities can be used as well. The struts 14c, 14d may have any suitable cross-sectional shape, such as circular, elliptical, triangular, square, rectangular, pentagonal, octagonal, irregular, etc.

[0019] Figure 8 is a schematic view showing one exemplary embodiment of a porous structure 22 with needles that can cover the exterior of the implant device 10 (Figs. 1-5). The implant device 10 can comprise at least one of the following. A primary structure 12 and at least one secondary lattice or porous surface portion 36 formed on at least one exterior portion of the primary structure 12. At least one surface portion 36 arranged to engage the patient's bone when the implant 10 is implanted in the patient. Such a metal surface portion 22 with needles implemented can include, for example, an aggregate of at least 50, 100, 200, 500 needles 38a, 38b or more, and can be further characterized by at least one, two, three, four, five or more of the following features. (a) All of the needles 38a, 38b in the collection are oriented substantially perpendicular to the surface portion 36. (b) All of the needles 38a, 38b in the collection are oriented in substantially the same direction, and that direction is not perpendicular to the surface portion 36. (c) All of the needles 38a, 38b in the collection are oriented in substantially the same direction, and that direction is not perpendicular to the surface portion 36 but is within 15 degrees from the perpendicular direction. (d) All of the needles 38a, 38b in the collection are oriented in substantially the same direction, and that direction is not perpendicular to the surface portion 36 and exceeds 15 degrees from the perpendicular direction. (e) The collection includes needles 38a, 38b oriented in at least three different directions with respect to the surface portion 36. (f) The collection includes needles 38a, 38b oriented in at least five different directions with respect to the surface portion 36, and all of the needles are oriented within 20 degrees from the perpendicular direction of the surface portion. (g) All of the needles 38a, 38b in the collection have substantially the same height. (h) The aggregate includes needles 38a, 38b of at least three different heights. (i) All of the needles 38a, 38b of the aggregate have substantially the same shape. (j) The aggregate includes needles 38a, 38b of at least two different shapes. (k) The needles 38a, 38b are substantially uniformly distributed on the surface portion 36. (l) The needles 38a, 38b are non-uniformly distributed on the surface portion 36. (m) All of the needles 38a of the aggregate are fixed to the primary structure 12. (n) Most of the needles 38a of the aggregate are fixed to the primary structure 12. (o) Most of the needles 38b of the aggregate are fixed to structural elements contained within an osteo-porous, osteo-derived or trabecular coating 36 on at least one outer portion of the primary structure 12. And / or (p) All of the needles 38b of the aggregate are fixed to structural elements contained within an osteo-porous, osteo-derived or trabecular coating 36 on at least one outer portion of the primary structure 12. The at least one outer portion 22 preferably includes at least one osteo-porous surface 36, which may include at least one osteo-derived surface 36. The at least one osteo-porous surface 36 and the needles 38a, 38b may be formed simultaneously by an additive manufacturing process.

[0020] An exemplary manufacturing flow starts with a cancellous bone sample, which is micro-scanned to obtain 3D scan data and then processed into solid model data representing bone porosity or bone-derived texture. Next, this texture data is combined with data representing the shape of the entire implant to create a manufacturing file for use in any of the subsequent manufacturing steps. The manufacturing file can utilize any recognizable solid model specification such as the ".amf" format or the ".stl" format and can be realized on any type of permanent and non-transitory storage medium (e.g., CD, CD-ROM, flash), semi-permanent (e.g., SRAM) or temporary (e.g., DRAM) storage medium, or can be realized as an encoded data signal.

[0021] A further step is performed of adding outwardly-protruding "needles" 38a, 38b on the outer surface of the bone porosity and / or bone-derived coating 36. Such needles 38a, 38b substantially increase the coefficient of friction of the implant surface 22. Having a high coefficient of friction is clinically advantageous as it provides a stronger initial fixation, which is important before the bone can grow on / within the porous structure 20. Such needles 38a, 38b can be distributed uniformly or non-uniformly along the porous surface. Similarly, various shapes of needles 38a, 38b are possible, including rectangular, pyramidal, conical, tubular, spiked, etc. Also, the needles 38a, 38b do not need to be oriented exactly perpendicular to the outer surface, but are preferably oriented in a substantially perpendicular (e.g., within + / - 15 degrees from perpendicular) direction. Further, the orientation and / or shape of all the needles 38a, 38b do not need to be the same, and the needles 38a, 38b may be provided to a selected portion or the whole of the outer coating surface 20.

[0022] This methodology generates and provides a surface 22 that includes an implant body 12 and a porous layer 36 disposed directly adjacent to the implant body 12. The porous layer 36 can be additionally manufactured on top of the implant body 12 or can be additionally manufactured together with the implant body 12. The porous layer 36 is composed of a bone-interfacing lattice 40 of macroscopic and randomly distributed probabilistic struts of various thicknesses, shapes, and intersections. This lattice 40 is comparable to cancellous bone in terms of pore size and overall porosity, and thus, when applied to the bone-opposition surface of the relevant implant 10 to which it is applied, elicits a favorable bone response. Needles 38a, 38b are additionally manufactured together with the porous layer 36 and / or the implant body 12, and some or all of the needles 38a project from the bone-opposition surface of the porous layer 36 and are directly fixed to the implant body 12 through the porous layer 36, forming a regularly or randomly arranged friction structure that projects from the bone-opposition surface of the porous layer 36. This provides advantageous needle strength and stability. Within the porous layer 36, these penetrating needles 38a are integrally formed with or otherwise fixed to the adjacent portions of the struts of the lattice 40, which also provides advantageous needle strength and stability in this case. In one preferred embodiment, all needles 38a are implanted in a solid substrate at 0.004 - 0.006 inches for either physical or operational modeling purposes (having corresponding support stiffness), extend approximately 0.008 inches above the bone-opposition surface of the porous layer 36, and have a plurality of intervening lattice strut connections along the length of each needle 38a. Here, the needle 38a is, for example, a 0.2 mm × 0.2 mm rectangular parallelepiped having a constant cross-sectional area. For optimal bone friction engagement, the preferred needle density is 0.3 needles / mm2 or 1 needle 38a per 3.33 mm2.The needle 38a is mostly arranged perpendicular to the porous layer 36 and the bone-facing surface of the implant body 12, but may be angled relative to each other due to the curvature of the porous layer 36 and the bone-facing surface of the implant body 12. The completed porous layer needle construct is blasted with calcium phosphate or surface-treated by other means to promote the roughness of the resulting bone-engagement structure. Alternatively, the bone porosity, bone-derived, and / or strut coating 36 with needles 38b is fixed only to the bone-facing surface of the bone porosity, bone-derived, and / or strut coating 36, and the underlying implant body 12 may not be utilized.

[0023] A slightly irregular secondary lattice 40 is preferably adapted for additive manufacturing according to the present disclosure. Node perturbation refers to the position of intersecting struts. Such intersection positions can be randomized such that the nodes deviate from a uniform lattice by a random distance or degree. Randomization of strut size refers to deviations not only in shape and length but also in cross-sectional dimensions (e.g., the diameter of the strut). Individual struts within the lattice can have different cross-sectional sizes, or the struts can have a gradient of diameter from one end to the other. These parameters can be randomized to increase the variety of lattice shapes. Such a slightly irregular lattice can be used to manufacture any type of medical implant for which a regular lattice might otherwise be used.

[0024] It should be understood that the novel structures disclosed and enabled by the present disclosure are not limited to those manufactured using additive manufacturing. Indeed, as will be understood by those skilled in the art, other known surface modification techniques can be used to generate the bone porosity, bone-derived, and / or needle-containing texture of the implants of the present invention.

[0025] The methodology of the present disclosure provides a surface that includes an implant body (or "melt") and a porous layer (or "structure") disposed directly adjacent to the implant body. The porous layer can be additionally manufactured on top of the implant body or can be manufactured additionally together with the implant body. The porous layer is composed of a macroscopic and randomly distributed stochastic strut bone interface lattice with various thicknesses, shapes, and intersection points. Since this lattice is comparable to cancellous bone in terms of pore size and overall porosity, it elicits a beneficial bone reaction when applied to the bone-facing surface of the relevant implant being applied. The generation of the overall structure is achieved through some CAD modeling programs of the following data preparation process flow. CAD modeling software is used to generate the design envelope (i.e., volume) and spatial relationships (i.e., overlaps) of various structural elements. The overall structure is composed of three specific volume elements: a melt volume, a structure volume, and a needle volume. The melt volume is a CAD volume that defines a solid substrate that the structure and needle face and overlap in order to ensure a mechanical interface during the additive manufacturing process. In most situations, the melt volume occupies most of the device. The structure volume is a CAD volume that defines the virtual boundary conditions where a random and stochastic structure is generated. The structure volume is purely solid and has no lattice. The needle volume is a CAD volume that defines the virtual boundary conditions where random protrusions extend beyond the region of the structure volume. The needle volume is purely solid and has no needles (i.e., protrusions). The CAD assembly combines the part models of the melt volume, the structure volume, and the needle volume. The structure volume element and the needle volume element overlap with the melt volume within a coordinate system defined via a mate interface GUI. This overlap is based on the resolution and accuracy of the additive manufacturing technique for which the device is intended to be manufactured. After the CAD assembly is defined, the model is exported in the ".stl" file format.The file is imported into additional CAD software and used to generate structures and needles from previously defined structural volume elements and needle volume elements. Using the structural volume, the user executes a graphical user interface (GUI) algorithm. This algorithm applies unit cells within the volume defined with respect to the coordinate system of the CAD environment. This algorithm performs a Boolean operation between the array of unit cells and the structural volume to generate only the portion of the unit cells within the volume. The overall structure utilizes unit cells of a porous structure of defined dimensions, shape, and volume. This algorithm replicates the unit cells of the porous structure as an array across the structural volume elements and is then used to trim the unit cells within the boundaries of the structural volume. The result is a structure that is a random probabilistic lattice that fills the volume of the original structural volume envelope. Similar to structure generation, needles are generated via an intersection Boolean operation between the needle volume element and a pre-programmed file generated by an equation-driven algorithm. The pre-programmed needle elements are imported into the CAD software and spatially aligned with the needle volume. The Boolean operation is performed and the resulting shape is an array of needles (i.e., protrusions) randomly placed within the boundaries predefined by the needle volume. After successfully generating the structures and needles, the components are exported as a ".stl" file. The file is then imported into a software program specific to the additive manufacturing technique as preparation for the additive manufacturing process. This technique-specific software program slices the CAD model at a defined thickness acceptable to the additive manufacturing apparatus, defines the order of the build order of the part, and applies an exposure strategy. The results of these programs are build files that are imported into and executed on an additive manufacturing machine to produce a physical part.

[0026] Depending on the embodiment, it should be recognized that any particular operation or event of the techniques described herein can be executed in a different order, may be added, combined, or completely omitted (e.g., not all of the described operations or events are necessarily required for the implementation of the technique). Further, in certain examples, the operations or events may be executed not sequentially but, for example, simultaneously through multi-threading, interrupt processing, or multiple processors.

[0027] FIG. 9 is a network diagram of a cloud-based system 100 for implementing various cloud-based services of the present disclosure. The cloud-based system 100 includes one or more cloud nodes (CNs) 102 communicatively connected to, for example, the Internet 104. The cloud nodes 102 can be implemented as, for example, servers 200 (shown in FIG. 10) and may be geographically different from each other, such as being located in various data centers across the country or around the world. Further, the cloud-based system 100 can include one or more central authority (CA) nodes 106, which can also be implemented as servers 200 and can be connected to the CNs 102. For illustrative purposes, the cloud-based system 100 may be connected to a regional office 110, a headquarters 120, various employees' homes 130, laptops / desktops 140, and mobile devices 150, each of which can be communicatively connected to one of the CNs 102. These locations 110, 120, and 130, as well as the devices 140 and 150, are shown for illustrative purposes, and those skilled in the art will recognize that there are various access scenarios to the cloud-based system 100, all of which are contemplated herein. The devices 140 and 150 may be so-called road warriors, i.e., users off-site, on the road, etc. The cloud-based system 100 may be a private cloud, a public cloud, a combination of a private cloud and a public cloud (hybrid cloud), etc.

[0028] Repeatedly, the cloud-based system 100 can provide any functionality to locations 110, 120, and 130, and devices 140 and 150 via services such as software as a service (SaaS), platform as a service, infrastructure as a service, security as a service, and virtual network functions (VNFs) within a network function virtualization (NFV) infrastructure (NFVI). Conventionally, the information technology (IT) deployment model included enterprise resources and applications stored within an enterprise network (i.e., physical devices) behind a firewall that were accessible either by on-site employees or remotely via, for example, a virtual private network (VPN). The cloud-based system 100 replaces the conventional deployment model. The cloud-based system 100 can be used to implement these services in the cloud without the need for physical devices and their management by enterprise IT administrators.

[0029] Cloud computing systems and methods remove physical servers, storage, networking, etc., and instead provide these as on-demand and flexible resources. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) provides a concise and specific definition, which describes cloud computing as a model for enabling convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources (e.g., networks, servers, storage, applications, and services) that can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort or interaction with a service provider. Unlike the traditional client-server model that provides applications from a server that is executed and managed by a client's web browser, etc., an installed client version of the application is not always necessary. Centralization gives the cloud service provider complete control over the browser-based and other application versions provided to the client, thereby eliminating the need for version updates or license management on individual client computing devices. The phrase "software as a service" (SaaS) is sometimes used to describe application programs provided via cloud computing. A common shorthand expression for the provided cloud computing services (or even the aggregation of all existing cloud services) is "the cloud". The cloud-based system 100 is shown herein as an exemplary embodiment of a cloud-based system, and those skilled in the art will recognize that the systems and methods described herein are not necessarily limited thereby.

[0030] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a server 200 that can be used within a cloud-based system 100 (FIG. 9), within other systems, or stand-alone. For example, CN102 (FIG. 9) and the central authority node 106 (FIG. 9) may be formed as one or more of the servers 200. The server 200 can generally be a digital computer including, from a hardware architecture perspective, a processor 202, an input / output (I / O) interface 204, a network interface 206, a data store 208, and a memory 210. FIG. 10 depicts the server 200 in a highly simplified manner, and it should be understood by those skilled in the art that actual embodiments may include additional components and appropriately configured processing logic to support known or conventional operating functions not described in detail herein. The components (202, 204, 206, 208, and 210) are communicatively coupled via a local interface 212. The local interface 212 can be, for example, but not limited to, one or more buses or other wired or wireless connections as known in the art. The local interface 212 may have additional elements, such as, among others, a controller, a buffer (cache), a driver, a repeater, and a receiver, which are omitted for brevity to enable communication. Further, the local interface 212 may include address, control, and / or data connections to enable proper communication among the aforementioned components.

[0031] Processor 202 is a hardware device for executing software instructions. Processor 202 can be a custom or commercially available processor, a central processing unit (CPU), an auxiliary processor among several processors associated with server 200, a semiconductor-based microprocessor (in the form of a microchip or chipset), or any device generally for executing software instructions. When server 200 is operating, processor 202 is configured to execute software stored in memory 210, communicate data with memory 210, and overall control the operation of server 200 according to software instructions. I / O interface 204 may be used to receive user input from one or more devices or components and / or provide system output to one or more devices or components.

[0032] Network interface 206 may be used to enable the server 200 to communicate on a network such as the Internet 104 (FIG. 9). The network interface 206 may include, for example, an Ethernet card or adapter (e.g., 10BaseT, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, or 10 GbE) or a wireless local area network (WLAN) card or adapter (e.g., 802.11a / b / g / n / ac). The network interface 206 may include address, control, and / or data connections to enable proper communication on the network. The data store 208 may be used to store data. The data store 208 may include any of volatile memory elements (e.g., random access memory (RAM) such as DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM), non-volatile memory elements (e.g., ROM, hard drive, tape, CDROM, etc.), and combinations thereof. Additionally, the data store 208 may incorporate electronic, magnetic, optical, and / or other types of storage media. In one example, the data store 208 may be located inside the server 200, such as an internal hard drive connected to the local interface 212 within the server 200. Further, in another embodiment, the data store 208 may be located outside the server 200, such as an external hard drive connected to the I / O interface 204 (e.g., SCSI connection or USB connection). In a further embodiment, the data store 208 may be connected to the server 200 via a network, such as a network-connected file server.

[0033] Memory 210 may include any of volatile memory elements (e.g., random access memory (RAM) such as DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM, etc.), non-volatile memory elements (e.g., ROM, hard drive, tape, CDROM, etc.), and combinations thereof. Moreover, memory 210 can incorporate electronic, magnetic, optical, and / or other types of storage media. It should be noted that memory 210 may have a distributed architecture where various components are located remotely from each other but can be accessed by processor 202. The software in memory 210 may include one or more software programs, each of which includes an ordered listing of executable instructions for implementing a logical function. The software in memory 210 includes a suitable operating system (O / S) 514 and one or more programs 216. The operating system 214 basically controls the execution of other computer programs such as one or more programs 216 and provides scheduling, input / output control, file and data management, memory management, as well as communication control and related services. One or more programs 216 may be configured to implement the various processes, algorithms, methods, techniques, etc. described herein.

[0034] Some of the embodiments described herein may include one or more general-purpose or special-purpose processors (the "one or more processors"), such as a microprocessor, a central processing unit (CPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), a network processor (NP) or network processing unit (NPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or other specialized processors, in conjunction with specific non-processor circuits, and control them to implement some, most, or all of the functions of the methods and / or systems described herein with stored program instructions (including both software and firmware). Alternatively, some or all of the functions may be implemented by a state machine without stored program instructions, or within one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) in which each function or some combination of certain functions is implemented therein as custom logic or custom circuitry. Of course, combinations of the foregoing techniques may be used. In some cases of the embodiments described herein, the corresponding devices in hardware optionally having software, firmware, and combinations thereof may be referred to as "configured or adapted circuits", "configured or adapted logic", etc. to perform a set of operations, steps, methods, processes, algorithms, functions, techniques, etc. on digital and / or analog signals as described herein for the various embodiments.

[0035] In addition, some embodiments may include a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable code stored therein for programming a computer, server, appliance (home appliance), device, processor, circuit, etc., where each of them may include a processor for performing the functions described and claimed herein. Examples of such computer-readable storage media include, but are not limited to, hard disks, optical storage devices, magnetic storage devices, read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory, and the like. When stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, software can include instructions executable by a processor or device (e.g., any type of programmable circuit or programmable logic), and the instructions, in response to such execution, cause the processor or device to perform a set of operations, steps, methods, processes, algorithms, functions, techniques, etc. described herein for various embodiments.

[0036] FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a user device 300 that can be used in a cloud-based system 100 (FIG. 9) and the like. Again, the user device 300 can be a smartphone, tablet, smartwatch, Internet of Things (IoT) device, laptop, virtual reality (VR) headset, and the like. The user device 300 can generally be a digital device that includes a processor 302, an I / O interface 304, a wireless 306, a data store 308, and a memory 310 from a hardware architecture perspective. FIG. 18 depicts the user device 300 in an overly simplified manner, and it should be understood by those skilled in the art that actual embodiments may include additional components and appropriately configured processing logic to support known or conventional operating functions not described in detail herein. The components (302, 304, 306, 308, and 310) are communicatively coupled via a local interface 312. The local interface 312 can be, for example, but not limited to, one or more buses or other wired or wireless connections as known in the art. The local interface 312 may have additional elements, such as a controller, buffer (cache), driver, repeater, and receiver, etc., which are omitted for brevity, to enable communication. Further, the local interface 312 may include address, control, and / or data connections to enable proper communication between the aforementioned components.

[0037] Processor 302 is a hardware device for executing software instructions. Processor 302 can be a custom or commercially available processor, a CPU, an auxiliary processor among several processors associated with user device 300, a semiconductor-based microprocessor (in the form of a microchip or chipset), or any device generally for executing software instructions. When user device 300 is operating, processor 302 is configured to execute software stored in memory 310, communicate data with memory 310, and overall control the operation of user device 300 according to software instructions. In one embodiment, processor 302 may include a mobile-optimized processor such as a processor optimized for power consumption and mobile applications. I / O interface 304 can be used to receive user input and / or provide system output. User input can be provided, for example, via a keypad, touch screen, scroll ball, scroll bar, button, barcode scanner, etc. System output can be provided via a display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), touch screen, etc.

[0038] Wireless 306 enables wireless communication to an external access device or network. Any number of suitable wireless data communication protocols, techniques, or methodologies can be supported by wireless 306, including any protocol for wireless communication. Data store 308 may be used to store data. Data store 308 may include any of volatile memory elements (e.g., random access memory (RAM) such as DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM, etc.), non-volatile memory elements (e.g., ROM, hard drive, tape, CDROM, etc.), and combinations thereof. Moreover, data store 308 can incorporate electronic, magnetic, optical, and / or other types of storage media.

[0039] Repeatedly, memory 310 may include any of volatile memory elements (e.g., random access memory (RAM) such as DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM, etc.), non-volatile memory elements (e.g., ROM, hard drive, etc.), and combinations thereof. Additionally, memory 310 can incorporate electronic, magnetic, optical, and / or other types of storage media. Note that memory 310 may have a distributed architecture where various components are located apart from each other but can be accessed by processor 302. The software in memory 310 can include one or more software programs, each of which includes an ordered listing of executable instructions for implementing a logical function. In the example of FIG. 11, the software in memory 310 includes a suitable operating system 314 and program 316. The operating system 314 basically controls the execution of other computer programs and provides scheduling, input / output control, file and data management, memory management, as well as communication control and related services. Program 316 may include various applications, add-ons, etc. configured to provide end-user functionality to user device 300. For example, exemplary program 316 may include, but is not limited to, a web browser, a social networking application, a streaming media application, a game, a mapping and location application, an email application, a financial application, etc. In a typical example, an end user typically uses one or more of program 316 in conjunction with a network such as cloud-based system 100 (FIG. 9).

[0040] Although the present disclosure is illustrated and described herein with reference to preferred embodiments and specific examples thereof, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that other embodiments and examples can perform similar functions and / or achieve similar results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure and are thereby contemplated and are included by the following non-limiting claims for all purposes.

Claims

1. 1. A surgical implant device comprising: A solid surface; a lattice structure disposed adjacent to the solid surface, the lattice structure comprising a first plurality of posts defining a first plurality of voids adjacent to the solid surface and a second plurality of posts defining a second plurality of voids distal to the solid surface; the solid surfaces include a first solid surface located on an upper side of the surgical implant device, a second solid surface located on a lower side of the surgical implant device, and a third solid surface connected to the outer periphery of the first solid surface and the second solid surface so as to be located between the first solid surface and the second solid surface; The third solid surface comprises a hole extending through the first solid surface and the second solid surface.

2. The surgical implant device of claim 1 , wherein each of the first plurality of struts has an average cross-sectional diameter that is less than an average cross-sectional diameter of each of the second plurality of struts.

3. The surgical implant device of claim 1 , wherein each of the first plurality of voids has an average inner diameter that is less than an average inner diameter of each of the second plurality of voids.

4. The surgical implant device of claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of struts and the first plurality of voids have an approximately equal overall material density as the second plurality of struts and the second plurality of voids.

5. 2. The surgical implant device of claim 1, wherein the lattice structure further comprises a third plurality of struts defining a third plurality of voids disposed between the first plurality of struts and the first plurality of voids and coupling the first plurality of struts and the first plurality of voids to the second plurality of struts and the second plurality of voids.

6. The surgical implant device of claim 1 , wherein the solid surface is disposed on a periphery of the surgical implant device.

7. The surgical implant device of claim 1 , wherein the solid surface is disposed internally of the surgical implant device.

8. The surgical implant device of claim 1 , wherein the solid surface and the lattice structure are integrally formed.

9. The surgical implant device of claim 1 , further comprising a porous surface disposed adjacent the solid surface opposite the lattice structure.

10. The surgical implant device of claim 9 , wherein the solid surface and the porous surface are integrally formed.

11. The surgical implant device of claim 1 , wherein the solid surface is a metallic surface or a polymeric surface.

12. The surgical implant device of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second plurality of struts are located between the first and second solid surfaces.

13. 2. The surgical implant device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first plurality of struts and the second plurality of struts are bounded by the third solid surface and at least one of the first solid surface and the second solid surface.

14. The surgical implant device of claim 9 , wherein the porous surface is located outboard of the solid surface.

15. The surgical implant device of claim 9 , wherein the porous surface is a cancellous bone structure.

16. The surgical implant device of claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of struts comprises a plurality of struts along a thickness of the solid surface.

17. The surgical implant device of claim 16 , wherein a plurality of posts along a thickness of the solid surface contact the solid surface.

18. 17. The surgical implant device of claim 16, wherein a number of struts of the first plurality of struts aligned along a thickness direction of the solid surface are greater than a number of struts aligned along a direction other than a thickness direction of the solid surface.

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