CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Colombian Application No. NC2020/0003879, having a filing date of Mar. 30, 2020, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

The following relates to the field of biomedical engineering, particularly relates to an implant for sternum replacement comprising an upper face, a posterior face, extensions for fitting with the ribs and extensions for fitting with the manubrium, wherein that implant is manufactured in a single piece with high performance engineering polymers, with an anatomical adjustment tailored to each patient, which guarantees the reduction of the number of elements in contact with the patient, facilitating and speeding up the surgical procedure and, at the same time, providing the necessary mechanical and flexibility properties.

BACKGROUND

In some cases of infection, accidents, heart surgeries or the presence of cancer tumors, it is necessary to practice a total sternotomy, that is, the extraction of the sternum bone, which is a flat, odd, central and symmetrical (usually) chest bone, consisting of several welded parts. The sternum helps protect the heart and lungs. At the back of it is the mediastinum, which includes the extrapleural anatomical complement located in the center of the chest, between the left and right lungs.

To replace the sternum, a series of implants made with different materials have been used, among which the titanium metal plates, ceramic alumina plates, and in some cases in which the sternum is not completely replaced, high performance engineering polymers. However, normally this type of implant meets standard geometries and requires a large number of additional elements for fixation and complementary elements to guarantee the correct performance of the implant, hindering the surgical process and increasing the risk of infections and complications.

Thus, in the state of the art there are a plurality of disclosures related to implants or plates for total or partial sternum replacement, with different geometries and materials, among which is the document US2018177914, refers to an implant for sternum replacement comprising an alumina ceramic, where the alumina ceramic has a volume porosity of 45 to 75% and a pore size of 200 to 600 μm.

However, embodiments of the invention defined herein has the disadvantage that it is not custom made for the patient, at the same time it does not show an implant developed in high performance engineering polymers.

On the other hand, there is also document CN109077831A, in which provides a type of prosthetic sternum devices, which includes a sternal part; multiple rib cage portions located on the sternal side. The interior of one or more portions of the rib cage is disposed in the prosthetic fusion portion. Wherein said prosthetic fusion portion allows growth during the rib cage portion with the bone fusion to grow integrally, eventually grow to a relatively stable level and biologically active support construction, while this support construction may also cause stimulation transported to the peripheral blood, promoting the repair of damaged cartilage.

However, embodiments of the invention defined herein has the disadvantage that it is not custom made for the patient, at the same time it does not show an implant developed in high performance engineering polymers.

In the state of the art, there is also document WO2018/132179, which presents an implant for a human sternum and ribs that includes a sternal implant and a rib link. The sternal implant can be attached to the sternum. The rib bond may include a distal portion, a proximal portion, and a strut. The distal portion can be attachable to a rib. The proximal portion may be attachable to the sternal implant. The strut can connect the distal portion to the proximal portion. The strut can be configured to flex so that the distal portion can align with the rib.

However, embodiments of the invention defined herein has the disadvantage that it is not custom made for the patient in a single piece, at the same time it does not show an implant developed in high performance engineering polymers.

On the other hand, have document CN209136987U, which discloses a type of artificial sternum bone made of carbon/carbon composite material, including the main body of the sternum, and the integral structure of the branch is connected to the rib cage, and the connecting branch of the rib cage is distributed in the sternum on two sides. The artificial sternum bone has three layers, and the intermediate layer is a base layer of carbon/carbon composite material, and the upper epidermis is a coating High porosity carbon, and the layer is a pyrocarbon coating, a silicon carbide layer, or a pyrolytic carbon/silicon carbide mixed layer. Artificial sternum bone has many advantages, such as that light weight, specific resistance is high, histocompatibility is good, easy to use.

However, embodiments of the invention defined herein has the disadvantage that it is not custom made for the patient, at the same time it does not show an implant developed in high performance engineering polymers.

Finally, Document FR3032876A1 refers particularly to an implant for sternal closure after a sternotomy that is comprised of a central block comprised of a superior and an inferior face that comprises a first module and a second module. This first module is meant to be attached to one part of the sternum and has a medial face that is meant to be positions right in front of the medial side of the second module that is located in the other part of the sternum. Said implant has at least one means to join the two medial faces of the modules and at least one means of blocking the removable device that goes through at least one of the modules. Said means of blocking is accessible from the frontal side of the implant.

However, embodiments of the invention defined herein has the disadvantage that it is not custom made for the patient in a single piece.

In accordance with the previous statements, it is clear that in the state of the art there is a need to design an implant for sternum replacement tailored to the patient, which has a geometry that adjusts to the ribs, the mediastinum and the manubrium, that is developed in a single piece in a material that guarantees flexibility for its correct operation.

Additionally, it is necessary that those implants have properties of high resistance, light weight, biocompatibility, and that allow avoiding the risk of infections, facilitating and expediting surgical interventions.

