Abstract: Tools and methods for implanting hip resurfacing femoral prostheses along a path defined by the axis of a shaped femoral head surface are described. The prostheses are stemless partial ball components having an outer surface shaped to conform to an acetabular socket and may be a two part design having a mating sleeve component with an internal bore adapted to receive the shaped femoral head. The tools and methods are capable of accurately implanting both one and two piece ball components and sleeves without requiring the prosthesis to have a central stem or the preparation of a stem cavity in the femoral head and neck.

Abstract: Tools and methods for implanting hip resurfacing femoral prostheses along a path defined by the axis of a shaped femoral head surface are described. The prostheses are stemless partial ball components having an outer surface shaped to conform to an acetabular socket and may be a two part design having a mating sleeve component with an internal bore adapted to receive the shaped femoral head. The tools and methods are capable of accurately implanting both one and two piece ball components and sleeves without requiring the prosthesis to have a central stem or the preparation of a stem cavity in the femoral head and neck.

Abstract: An acetabular prosthesis having an outer member for engaging the acetabulum. The outer member has a part-spherical bearing surface terminating in a distal rim. The rim has a contour such that the portion thereof to be located between the ischium and the pubis extends distally further from an equator of the bearing surface than the contour to be implanted between the pubis and the illium and between the ischium and the illium.

Abstract: A prosthesis implantation inserter is used with a flexible acetabular cup which has an opening or openings in its peripheral rim. The inserter has engagement elements which in an operational position frictionally engage the opening or openings in the flexible cup rim. A release is provided which can be operated to withdraw the engagement element from the opening or openings. When the cup is held §in position it can be guided and inserted into the acetabulum and impacted. Once the position of the prosthesis satisfies the surgeon the engagement element can be removed by operating the release and the cup inserter is removed without any risk of compromising the position or the stability of the implant.

Abstract: A hip resurfacing femoral prosthesis has a sleeve component with an internal bore adapted to receive a femoral head and a partially conical outer surface. The sleeve is for use with a mating partial ball component shaped to conform to an acetabular socket. The sleeve is slotted or segmented to enhance the engagement with the femoral head. The partial ball component may be translated proximally and distally to reposition the outer surface by selecting sleeves with varying geometries.

Abstract: Tools and methods for implanting hip resurfacing femoral prostheses along a path defined by the axis of a shaped femoral head surface are described. The prostheses are stemless partial ball components having an outer surface shaped to conform to an acetabular socket and may be a two part design having a mating sleeve component with an internal bore adapted to receive the shaped femoral head. The tools and methods are capable of accurately implanting both one and two piece ball components and sleeves without requiring the prosthesis to have a central stem or the preparation of a stem cavity in the femoral head and neck.

Abstract: A prosthetic bearing element and a method for forming the same includes an injection molded bearing made of PEEK resin with short carbon fiber reinforcement. The inner surface of the PEEK bearing is adapted to receive a ceramic or metal articulation component. The outer surface of the bearing layer includes sputtered titanium particles forming a porous backing layer. Hydroxyapatite is then sputtered or otherwise deposited onto the titanium backing layer to form an outer surface of the prosthetic bearing element. A barrier layer can be formed either of PEEK or titanium which layer is between the outer surface of the molded bearing and the inner surface of the porous structure. The barrier layer prevents tissue ingrowth into the bearing component. Hydroxyapatite is then sputtered onto the outer porous layer or applied by solution deposition. This outer surface of the prosthetic bearing element can then be coated with bone morphogenic protein.

Abstract: A prosthetic flexible bearing element cup or cup bearing liner is adapted for use with a part-spherical bearing head. The flexible bearing element includes an inner bearing surface which has a first portion which is substantially part-spherical about a hemispherical center located on a main loading axis, and a second portion at least part of which is relieved with respect to the first portion. The relieved part of the second portion has a radial distance (d) from the hemispherical center which increases from an inner end towards an outer end as the angle of rotation (?) about the hemispherical center increases towards the rim of the cup.

Abstract: A flexible acetabular cup is provided which has an inner bearing surface which comprises a substantially part-spherical portion and two independent arms projecting therefrom. The arms form a separation or opening in the rim of the cup with the external surface of the cup being shaped to cause the independent arms to be pre-stressed towards each other when the cup is inserted in place in a pre-prepared acetabular socket. One way of accomplishing this is to form the cup with the arms bowed outwardly at the time of manufacture.

Abstract: A prosthesis implantation inserter is used with a flexible acetabular cup which has an opening or openings in its peripheral rim. The inserter has engagement elements which in an operational position frictionally engage the opening or openings in the flexible cup rim. A release is provided which can be operated to withdraw the engagement element from the opening or openings. When the cup is held §in position it can be guided and inserted into the acetabulum and impacted. Once the position of the prosthesis satisfies the surgeon the engagement element can be removed by operating the release and the cup inserter is removed without any risk of compromising the position or the stability of the implant.

Abstract: A prosthetic bearing element and a method for forming the same includes an injection molded bearing made of PEEK resin with short carbon fiber reinforcement. The inner surface of the PEEK bearing is adapted to receive a ceramic or metal articulation component. The outer surface of the bearing layer includes sputtered titanium particles forming a porous backing layer. Hydroxyapatite is then sputtered or otherwise deposited onto the titanium backing layer to form an outer surface of the prosthetic bearing element. A barrier layer can be formed either of PEEK or titanium which layer is between the outer surface of the molded bearing and the inner surface of the porous structure. The barrier layer prevents tissue ingrowth into the bearing component. Hydroxyapatite is then sputtered onto the outer porous layer or applied by solution deposition. This outer surface of the prosthetic bearing element can then be coated with bone morphogenic protein.

Abstract: A handling device to hold a bearing liner which is to be introduced into the socket of an acetabular cup has a support provided with an alignment element on the acetabular cup and having an opening which has a deformable rim adapted to receive the outer circumference of the bearing liner to be inserted. The bearing liner which may be, for example, conically tapered, is inserted into the opening in the support until the rim on the handling device is engaged. The held bearing liner can now be accurately located in a tapered socket of the acetabular cup utilizing the alignment device. Because the lower surface of the support rests against the upper rim of the acetabular cup, the complementary tapered bearing surfaces are not fully engaged. Engagement is achieved by pushing the bearing liner downwards through the deformable rim of the opening in the support so that the liner is correctly inserted. The handling device is now free of the bearing liner and can be removed.

Abstract: An acetabular prosthesis having an outer member for engaging the acetabulum. The outer member has a part-spherical bearing surface terminating in a distal rim. The rim has a contour such that the portion thereof to be located between the ischium and the pubis extends distally further from an equator of the bearing surface than the contour to be implanted between the pubis and the illium and between the ischium and the illium.

Abstract: A head component for use in a prosthetic joint such as a hip joint. The head has a body adapted to engage a natural acetabulum or a prosthetic acetabular cup component. The head has a recess with a resilient sleeve located therein adapted to engage the trunnion of a prosthetic stem component with which it is to be used. The sleeve material is more deformable than the trunnion material and can deform under sufficient force to absorb any unevenness in the trunnion surface.

Abstract: A head component for use in a prosthetic joint such as a hip joint. The head has a body adapted to engage a natural acetabulum or a prosthetic acetabular cup component. The head has a recess with a resilient sleeve located therein adapted to engage the trunnion of a prosthetic stem component with which it is to be used. The sleeve material is more deformable than the trunnion material and can deform under sufficient force to absorb any unevenness in the trunnion surface.

Abstract: A handling device to hold a bearing liner which is to be introduced into the socket of an acetabular cup has a support provided with an alignment element on the acetabular cup and having an opening which has a deformable rim adapted to receive the outer circumference of the bearing liner to be inserted. The bearing liner which may be, for example, conically tapered, is inserted into the opening in the support until the rim on the handling device is engaged. The held bearing liner can now be accurately located in a tapered socket of the acetabular cup utilizing the alignment device. Because the lower surface of the support rests against the upper rim of the acetabular cup, the complementary tapered bearing surfaces are not fully engaged. Engagement is achieved by pushing the bearing liner downwards through the deformable rim of the opening in the support so that the liner is correctly inserted. The handling device is now free of the bearing liner and can be removed.