Boston, MA, March 3, 2021 – HD LifeSciences today announced the expansion of its patent portfolio with the issuance of patent number US10,888,429 B2, Three-Dimensional Lattice Structures for Implants. The patent represents a key element of intellectual property related to an anisotropic load bearing, low stiffness, lattice structure, as well as the capability to tailor these properties to a specific purpose such as 3D printed titanium interbody cages.
Anisotropic lattice properties enable a method of reducing stress shielding of new bone growth in spinal fusion procedures. Similar to cancellous bone’s natural structure, this technology allows a lattice to exhibit mechanical properties varying with direction of force. For instance, bone in the spine is often stiffer in the rostral-caudal direction as compared with anteriorposterior.
Matching elastic modulus in the direction defined by the loading of the spine is desirable because it allows the endplates of the adjacent vertebrae to move relative to one another, enabling loading of the new bone. HD’s durable and reliable lattice structure allows the sufficient strength of the interbody to provide stability during daily life, while allowing load sharing with newly forming bone.
“This technology allows implants to further match physiological conditions as they vary with loading direction. Combined with the lattice’s internal volume curated to match the physiological dimensionality of bone substrates, this provides a strong tool for bone formation”, added Ian Helmar, Co-Founder and Vice President of Research & Development at HD LifeSciences, LLC.