Abstract: A method for performing an arthroplasty of a subtalar joint includes making at least one incision adjacent the subtalar joint, accessing the subtalar joint defined superiorly by a first articular surface and inferiorly by a second articular surface, and preparing at least one of the first articular surface and the second articular surface to form first and second interfacing surfaces. The method further includes identifying at least one landmark of the first interfacing surface and the second interfacing surface, determining at least one significant point on at least one of the first interfacing surface and the second interfacing surface relative to the at least one landmark, and placing at least one trial implant. The method also includes securing an implant positioned substantially inferior relative to the first interfacing surface and substantially superior relative to the second interfacing surface, stabilizing the subtalar joint, and closing the at least one incision.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to a knee prosthesis system with at least a first tibial portion element (a tibial insert or a tibial insert trial) and a second tibial portion element (a tibial insert or a tibial insert trial), wherein each of the first tibial portion element and the second tibial portion element has a different slope. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a method of implanting a knee prosthesis, wherein the method utilizes at least a first tibial portion element (a tibial insert or a tibial insert trial) and a second tibial portion element (a tibial insert or a tibial insert trial), wherein each of the first tibial portion element and the second tibial portion element has a different slope.

Abstract: A joint prosthesis has a first component for cooperation with a first long bone, a second component for cooperation with a second long bone, and a bearing component positionable between the first component and the second component. The bearing component includes a reinforcing component and a polymeric material completely encapsulating the reinforcing component and molded thereto. The bearing component may be sterilized by a predominately surface sterilizing technology.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention a mobile bearing knee prosthesis may include an interface (e.g., a spherical radius interface) comprised of a concave superior surface on a tibial tray and a convex inferior surface on a tibial insert. In another embodiment of the present invention a mobile bearing knee prosthesis may include an interface (e.g., a spherical radius interface) comprised of a convex superior surface on a tibial tray and a concave inferior surface on a tibial insert. In another embodiment of the present invention a mobile bearing knee prosthesis may include a biconcave interface (e.g., having a “wave” like surface geometry). This “wave” like surface geometry may be at the interface between a tibial insert and a tibial tray in the mobile bearing knee (as opposed to the interface between the tibial insert and a femoral component).

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to a knee prosthesis system with at least a first tibial portion element (a tibial insert or a tibial insert trial) and a second tibial portion element (a tibial insert or a tibial insert trial), wherein each of the first tibial portion element and the second tibial portion element has a different slope. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a method of implanting a knee prosthesis, wherein the method utilizes at least a first tibial portion element (a tibial insert or a tibial insert trial) and a second tibial portion element (a tibial insert or a tibial insert trial), wherein each of the first tibial portion element and the second tibial portion element has a different slope.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention a mobile bearing knee prosthesis may include an interface (e.g., a spherical radius interface) comprised of a concave superior surface on a tray and a convex inferior surface on a tibial insert. In another embodiment of the present invention a mobile bearing knee prosthesis may include an interface (e.g., a spherical radius interface) comprised of a convex superior surface on a tibial tray and a concave inferior surface on a insert. In another embodiment of the present invention a mobile bearing knee prosthesis may include a bi-concave interface (e.g., having a “wave” like surface geometry). This “wave” like surface geometry may be at the second bearing (i.e., at the interface between a tibial insert and a tray in the mobile bearing knee as opposed to the interface between the tibial insert and a femoral component).

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention a mobile bearing knee prosthesis may include an interface (e.g., a spherical radius interface) comprised of a concave superior surface on a tibial tray and a convex inferior surface on a tibial insert. In another embodiment of the present invention a mobile bearing knee prosthesis may include an interface (e.g., a spherical radius interface) comprised of a convex superior surface on a tibial tray and a concave inferior surface on a tibial insert. In another embodiment of the present invention a mobile bearing knee prosthesis may include a bi-concave interface (e.g., having a “wave” like surface geometry). This “wave” like surface geometry may be at the second bearing (i.e., at the interface between a tibial insert and a tibial tray in the mobile bearing knee as opposed to the interface between the tibial insert and a femoral component).

Abstract: A joint prosthesis has a first component for cooperation with a first long bone, a second component for cooperation with a second long bone, and a bearing component positionable between said first component and said second component. The bearing component includes a reinforcing component and a polymeric material completely encapsulating the reinforcing component and molded thereto. The bearing component may be sterilized by a predominately surface sterilizing technology.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention a mobile bearing knee prosthesis may include an interface (e.g., a spherical radius interface) comprised of a concave superior surface on a tibial tray and a convex inferior surface on a tibial insert. In another embodiment of the present invention a mobile bearing knee prosthesis may include an interface (e.g., a spherical radius interface) comprised of a convex superior surface on a tibial tray and a concave inferior surface on a tibial insert. In another embodiment of the present invention a mobile bearing knee prosthesis may include a biconcave interface (e.g., having a “wave” like surface geometry). This “wave” like surface geometry may be at the interface between a tibial insert and a tibial tray in the mobile bearing knee (as opposed to the interface between the tibial insert and a femoral component).

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a joint prosthesis (10) having a first component (12) for cooperation with a first long bone (14) and a second component (16) for cooperation with a second long bone (20). The joint prosthesis (10) further includes a bearing component (22) positionable between the first component (12) and the second component (16) and cooperable with the first component (12) and the second component (16). The bearing component (22) includes a reinforcing component (36) having a first portion (54) defining a first centerline (50) and having a second portion (56) defining a second centerline (52). The first centerline (50) and the second centerline (52) are non-coincidental. The bearing component (22) includes a polymeric material (112) surrounding the reinforcing component (36) and molded to the reinforcing component (36).

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to an ankle prosthesis. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a total ankle replacement prosthesis. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to an ankle replacement (partial or total) which is adapted, for example: (a) to treat arthritis of the ankle (e.g., ankle arthritis of any cause: after precious trauma; primary; malalignment induced; after hindfoot fusion; from recurrent ankle instability; rheumatoid or inflammatory arthritis; gout; local growth; dysplasia; growth plate arrest; avascular necrosis; hemophilia; distant septic event); (b) to revise a fused ankle; and/or (c) to treat trauma. The ankle replacement may be carried out by replacing one or more joint surfaces of an ankle joint. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for inserting an ankle prosthesis.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention a mobile bearing knee prosthesis may include an interface (e.g., a spherical radius interface) comprised of a concave superior surface on a tibial tray and a convex inferior surface on a tibial insert. In another embodiment of the present invention a mobile bearing knee prosthesis may include an interface (e.g., a spherical radius interface) comprised of a convex superior surface on a tibial tray and a concave inferior surface on a tibial insert. In another embodiment of the present invention a mobile bearing knee prosthesis may include a bi-concave interface (e.g., having a “wave” like surface geometry). This “wave” like surface geometry may be at the second bearing (i.e., at the interface between a tibial insert and a tibial tray in the mobile bearing knee as opposed to the interface between the tibial insert and a femoral component).

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a bearing component for use in arthroplasty for cooperation with a first and a second component includes the step of providing a non-linear support of a durable material having. The method further includes providing a molding die for manufacturing the bearing component having first and second mold portions. The first mold portion provides a first surface for cooperation with the first joint component and the second mold portion provides a second surface for cooperation with the second joint component. The method includes positioning the support in a desired position within the molding die with the first end or the second end located in the first mold portion, adding moldable material into the molding die, surrounding the support with the moldable material, heating and pressurizing the moldable material, permitting the moldable material to cool, and removing the component from the molding die.

Abstract: A composite bearing insert for a total knee joint or a unicondylar knee joint which minimizes or eliminates the production of wear debris resulting from relative motion at the interface between the endoskeleton and a tibial tray of a knee joint prosthesis. The composite bearing insert includes an endoskeleton and a polymer portion which is preferably molded into and locked within the endoskeleton. The endoskeleton is configured to be locked to a tibial component, such as a tibial tray or keel. The modularity of the assembly facilitates the interchangeability of various composite bearing inserts with various tibial components.

Abstract: A joint prosthesis (10) including a first component (12)for cooperation with a first long bone (14) and a second component (16) for cooperation with a second long bone (20) is provided. The joint prosthesis (10) also includes a bearing component (222) positionable between the first component (12) and the second component (16) and cooperable with the first (12) and second (16) components. The bearing component (222) has a reinforcing component (236) having a first end (286) and a second end (294) and a polymeric material (207). The polymeric material (207) surrounds at least 99% of the surface area of the reinforcing component (236) and is molded to the reinforcing component (236) so that the material may be sterilized by a predominately surface sterilizing technology. The bearing component (222) defines a first peripheral region (271) and a second peripheral region (282).

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a polymeric bearing component (22) for use in joint arthroplasty for cooperation with a first joint component (12) and a second joint component (16). The method includes the step of providing a non-linear reinforcing support (36) of a durable material having a first end (86) and a second end (94). The method further includes the step providing a molding die (62) adapted for manufacturing the bearing component (22) for use in total joint arthroplasty and having a first mold portion (66) and a second mold portion (76). The first mold portion (66) is adapted to provide a first surface (70) of the bearing component (22) for cooperation with the first joint component (12) and the second mold portion (76) is adapted to provide a second surface (80) of the bearing component (22) for cooperation with the second joint component (16).

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a joint prosthesis (10) having a first component (12) for cooperation with a first long bone (14) and a second component (16) for cooperation with a second long bone (20). The joint prosthesis (10) further includes a bearing component (22) positionable between the first component (12) and the second component (16) and cooperable with the first component (12) and the second component (16). The bearing component (22) includes a reinforcing component (36) having a first portion (54) defining a first centerline (50) and having a second portion (56) defining a second centerline (52). The first centerline (50) and the second centerline (52) are non-coincidental. The bearing component (22) includes a polymeric material (112) surrounding the reinforcing component (36) and molded to the reinforcing component (36).

Abstract: A composite bearing insert for a total knee joint or a unicondylar knee joint which minimizes or eliminates the production of wear debris resulting from relative motion at the interface between the endoskeleton and a tibial tray of a knee joint prosthesis. The composite bearing insert includes an endoskeleton and a polymer portion which is preferably molded into and locked within the endoskeleton. The endoskeleton is configured to be locked to a tibial component, such as a tibial tray or keel. The modularity of the assembly facilitates the interchangeability of various composite bearing inserts with various tibial components.

Abstract: A modular acetabular bearing assembly which minimizes or eliminates the production of wear debris resulting from relative motion at the interface between the acetabular shell and bearing insert portions of the modular acetabular bearing assembly. The modular acetabular bearing assembly includes an acetabular shell and composite bearing insert. The composite bearing insert includes an endoskeleton and a polymer layer which is preferably molded into and locked within the endoskeleton. The endoskeleton is configured to be locked within the acetabular shell. As such, the modular acetabular bearing assembly, and its method of manufacture, eliminate all contact between any polymer surface on the composite bearing insert and any metal surface on the acetabular shell. The modularity of the assembly facilitates the interchangeability of various composite bearing inserts within an acetabular shell which is fixed to the acetabulum of a patient.

Abstract: A modular acetabular bearing assembly which minimizes or eliminates the production of wear debris resulting from relative motion at the interface between the acetabular shell and bearing insert portions of the modular acetabular bearing assembly. The modular acetabular bearing assembly includes an acetabular shell and composite bearing insert. The composite bearing insert includes an endoskeleton and a polymer layer which is preferably molded into and locked within the endoskeleton. The endoskeleton is configured to be locked within the acetabular shell. As such, the modular acetabular bearing assembly, and its method of manufacture, eliminate all contact between any polymer surface on the composite bearing insert and any metal surface on the acetabular shell. The modularity of the assembly facilitates the interchangeability of various composite bearing inserts within an acetabular shell which is fixed to the acetabulum of a patient.