Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
177 words
A tubular shell structure for replacement of segments of long bones, having a first end and a second end for connecting first and second portions of bones, the shell structure comprising: A) an outer tubular shell; B) an inner tubular shell, said inner shell being located within said outer shell and approximately parallel to said outer shell, wherein a hollow cylindrical volume is defined by a predetermined spacing between said inner shell and said outer shell structure, said volume being open at each end and fillable with living tissue or tissue precursors, said shell structure for being inserted between said first and second bone portions at said first and second ends so that said first and second bone portions correspondingly extend into said hollow cylindrical volume at said ends; and, C) a plurality of struts connecting said inner shell to said outer shell, and wherein said structure is composed of a material having an overall porosity below 90% selected from the group consisting of resorbable polymeric material, resorbable polymeric-ceramic material, degradable polymeric material and degradable polymeric-ceramic material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
177 words
A tubular shell structure for replacement of segments of long bones, having a first end and a second end for connecting first and second portions of bones, the shell structure comprising: A) an outer tubular shell; B) an inner tubular shell, said inner shell being located within said outer shell and approximately parallel to said outer shell, wherein a hollow cylindrical volume is defined by a predetermined spacing between said inner shell and said outer shell structure, said volume being open at each end and fillable with living tissue or tissue precursors, said shell structure for being inserted between said first and second bone portions at said first and second ends so that said first and second bone portions correspondingly extend into said hollow cylindrical volume at said ends; and, C) a plurality of struts connecting said inner shell to said outer shell, and wherein said structure is composed of a material having an overall porosity below 90% selected from the group consisting of resorbable polymeric material, resorbable polymeric-ceramic material, degradable polymeric material and degradable polymeric-ceramic material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The shell structure according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said inner and outer shell is provided with interconnected micropores.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The shell structure according to claim 2, wherein at least 90 percent of said micropores have a diameter below 500 μm, preferably in a range of 0.01 to 50.0 μm, most preferably in the range of 0.1 to 5.0 μm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The shell structure according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said inner and outer shell is provided with larger openings in a range of 0.1 to 2.0 mm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
60 words
The shell structure according to claim 1, wherein said shell structure is constructed from materials selected from the group consisting of highly purified polyhydroxyacids, polysaccharides, polyamines, polyaminoacids, polyorthoesters, polyanhyrides, collagen with tricalcium phosphate and hydroxyapatite, collagen with tricalcium phosphate and bioresorbable glasses, a collagen composite with tricalcium phosphate and hydroxyapatite, and a collagen composite with tricalcium phosphate and bioresorbable glasses.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The shell structure according to claim 1, wherein the spacing between said inner and said outer shell is in the range of 0.1 to 10.0 mm.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The shell structure according to claim 1, wherein the spacing between said inner and said outer shell is in the range of 1.0 to 5.0 mm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The shell structure according to claim 1, wherein said structure is reinforced with resorbable fibers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The shell structure according to claim 1, wherein walls of said inner shell and said outer shell have a thickness ranging from 0.05 to 5.0 mm.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The shell structure according to claim 9, wherein said inner shell and said outer shell have a thickness ranging from 0.2 to 3.0 mm.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The shell structure according to claim 10, wherein said inner shell and said outer shell have a thickness ranging from 0.4 to 1.5 mm.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The shell structure according to claim 1, wherein said structure further contains antibiotic agents.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The shell structure according to claim 1, wherein said structure further contains antiosteomyelitis agents.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The shell structure according to claim 1, wherein said structure further contains antineoplastic agents.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
The shell structure according to claim 1, wherein said structure further contains osteoconductive agents having an origin selected from the group consisting of autogenic, allogenic, xenogenic, and synthetic origins.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
The shell structure according to claim 1, wherein said structure further contains osteoinductive agents having an origin selected from the group consisting of autogenic, allogenic, xenogenic, and synthetic origins.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The shell structure according to claim 1, wherein said outer shell is provided with interconnected micropores.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The shell structure according to claim 1, wherein said outer shell is provided with larger openings in a range of 0.1 to 2.0 mm.