CPC A61F 2/442 (2013.01) [A61F 2/44 (2013.01); A61F 2/4465 (2013.01); G02F 1/13439 (2013.01); G02F 1/13458 (2013.01); A61B 17/7001 (2013.01); A61B 17/72 (2013.01); A61B 17/80 (2013.01); A61F 2/30767 (2013.01); A61F 2/4455 (2013.01); A61F 2002/2825 (2013.01); A61F 2002/3055 (2013.01); A61F 2002/3097 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30115 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30126 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30131 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30133 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30143 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30146 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30148 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30153 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30154 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30156 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30235 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30433 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30451 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30485 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30492 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30507 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30593 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30601 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30672 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30787 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30841 (2013.01); A61F 2002/30912 (2013.01); A61F 2220/0025 (2013.01); A61F 2220/0041 (2013.01); A61F 2220/0058 (2013.01); A61F 2230/0006 (2013.01); A61F 2230/0008 (2013.01); A61F 2230/0013 (2013.01); A61F 2230/0015 (2013.01); A61F 2230/0017 (2013.01); A61F 2230/0019 (2013.01); A61F 2230/0021 (2013.01); A61F 2230/0023 (2013.01); A61F 2230/0069 (2013.01); A61F 2310/00023 (2013.01); A61F 2310/00796 (2013.01); H01L 27/12 (2013.01); H01L 27/124 (2013.01); H01L 29/458 (2013.01); H01L 29/4908 (2013.01)] | 18 Claims |
1. A placeholder for implantation in a human or animal body, the placeholder having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis extending through the first and second ends, the placeholder comprising:
an inner surface extending between the first end and the second end and defining an inner cavity that extends along the longitudinal axis, wherein a plurality of openings are defined by and extend through the inner surface;
an outer surface extending around an outside of the placeholder, wherein a plurality of openings are defined by and extend through the outer surface, and wherein a plurality of pathways extend between the openings of the inner and outer surfaces along respective axes that are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; and
a plurality of connecting portions that extend between the inner and outer surfaces to integrally connect the inner and outer surfaces in a fixed and unadjustable manner, the connecting portions at least partially defining a plurality of spaces each extending entirely unobstructed between the inner and outer surfaces from the first end to the second end along respective axes that are parallel to the longitudinal axis, wherein at least one of the connecting portions is spaced apart axially from the first and second ends;
wherein a minimum distance between the outer surface and one of the spaces is a first distance and a minimum distance between the outer surface and another one of the spaces is a second distance that is greater than the first distance.
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