Abstract: A prosthesis to be implanted within a bone comprises a shell and a liner that fits within the shell. The shell comprises a bone engaging region which terminates at a first plane, and a non-bone engaging region which extends out of the first plane and at least partially defines an open mouth of the shell.

Abstract: An orthopedic joint prosthesis comprising a first component having a soft metal bearing surface and a second component having a hard metal bearing surface. The soft metal bearing surface has a hardness of at least about 20 Rc, while the hard metal bearing surface having a hardness greater than the soft metal bearing surface by at least about 15 Rc. The soft and the hard metal bearing surfaces are configured to articulate with one another. The differential hardness of the hard metal bearing surface to the soft metal bearing surface is preferably at least about 1.5, and is preferably less than about 3. The hard metal bearing surface is preferably not more than about 40 Rc harder than the soft metal bearing surface. The hard metal bearing surface preferably has a hardness of between about 40 Rc and about 60 Rc.

Abstract: A cup and a temporary insert are respectively configured to be tightly press fitted into each other along their periphery. The temporary insert includes a through hole communicating outside with a free space between the outer surface of the temporary insert and the inner surface of the cup. In the through hole can be engaged the threaded end of an impactor, for manipulating the cup when it is being set. A syringe can be engaged, enabling a liquid under pressure to be injected into the free space, thus separating the temporary insert from the cup without any risk of damaging the inner surface of the cup. Thus, the cup can be securely manipulated when it is being set without any risk of damaging the inner surface of the cup.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for preventing prosthetic articulating surfaces from separating from each other. A containment system according to one embodiment seeks to prevent an implant stem head from dislocating from a prosthetic component while providing an increased range of motion over conventional contrained components. In one embodiment, an implant structural member includes a cavity and an opening having a lip, including a web along a portion of the lip. An implant stem head has a cooperating surface that corresponds with the web, so that when the cooperating surface of the implant stem head is aligned with the web, the head may be inserted into the implant structural member. The implant stem head is then rotated and the femoral stem component attached, thereby preventing dislocation of the head.

Abstract: A hydrocephalus shunt having an anti-inflammatory coating applied to at least the outside surface of the ventricular catheter. Such coatings are also applicable to other medical devices or implants.

Abstract: A prosthetic implant includes first, second and third components. The first component is configured to be disposed within the acetabulum. The second component is in a load bearing relationship with the first component, and is operable to rotate in a first axis of rotation. The second component is inhibited from movement in a second axis of rotation. The third component is in a load bearing relationship with the second component. The third component is operable to rotate in the second axis of rotation, but is inhibited from movement with the first axis of rotation.

Abstract: A ceramic-metal composite articulation is provided with substantial elimination of wear debris, wherein a ceramic material is provided with superior mechanical properties tailored for articulating with ceramic articulations having high flexural strength (greater than about 700 MPa), high fracture toughness (greater than about 7 MPa1/2) and a high Weibull modulus (greater than about 20), in comparison with presently available bio-ceramics such as alumina or zirconia. The mechanical property enhancement enables ceramic materials with greater reliability and significantly reduced in-vivo fracture risk to be obtained. Preliminary in-vitro wear performance, to several million cycles using established test protocols, of head/cup components in a prosthetic hip joint made from these ceramics also demonstrates the ultra low wear characteristics.

Abstract: A hip joint endoprosthesis which comprises a shank, a joint ball at the upper end region of the shank, a joint socket, within which the joint ball is mounted to be rotationally movable, and a joint gap present between the joint ball and the joint socket. The joint socket and/or the joint ball has in the interior thereof a closed liquid-filled, gas-filled or gel-filled region. This is separated from the joint gap only by a thin, resiliently deformable edge region of the joint socket or joint ball.

Abstract: An artificial joint member made of a polymeric material including a portion made of a polymeric substance has a sliding surface composed of a polymer having phosphoryl choline groups. With such an arrangement, the artificial joint member is provided with a sliding part capable of keeping a satisfactory lubricating state for a long time.

Abstract: An acetabular prosthesis and method for its use in an orthopedic surgery is disclosed. The acetabular prosthesis forms a metal bearing, which articulates with a femoral head. The acetabular prosthesis is also configured so as to accept a polymer constraining ring. Should a revision surgery be necessary, the acetabular prosthesis may accept a polymer bearing liner over the metal bearing. The polymer bearing liner then articulates with the femoral head.

Abstract: A hip joint prosthesis has an external metal shell, an internal socket insert in which a ball head can rotate. The ball head is joined to a metal prosthesis shaft of the femoral shaft component and the movement of the prosthesis shaft is limited by abutting against the margin of the socket insert. A soft, biocompatible cushioning element is applied to the socket insert on the circumferential surface of the prosthesis shaft.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods for enhancing the wear-resistance of polymers, the resulting polymers, and in vivo implants made from such polymers. One aspect of this invention presents a method whereby a polymer is irradiated, preferably with gamma radiation, then thermally treated, such as by remelting of annealing. The resulting polymeric composition preferably has its most oxidized surface layer removed. Another aspect of the invention presents a general method for optimizing the wear resistance and desirable physical and/or chemical properties of a polymer by crosslinking and thermally treating it. The resulting polymeric compositions is wear-resistant and may be fabricated into an in vivo implant.

Abstract: Prosthetic joints, components for prosthetic joints, superhard bearing and articulation surfaces, diamond bearing and articulation surfaces, substrate surface topographical features, materials for making joints, bearing and articulation surfaces, and methods for manufacturing and finishing the same, and related information are disclosed, including a prosthetic hip joint having a polycrystalline diamond articulation surface and a plurality of substrate layers.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for preventing prosthetic articulating surfaces from separating from each other. A containment system according to one embodiment seeks to prevent an implant stem head from dislocating from a prosthetic component while providing an increased range of motion over conventional contrained components. In one embodiment, an implant structural member includes a cavity and an opening having a lip, including a web along a portion of the lip. An implant stem head has a cooperating surface that corresponds with the web, so that when the cooperating surface of the implant stem head is aligned with the web, the head may be inserted into the implant structural member. The implant stem head is then rotated and the femoral stem component attached, thereby preventing dislocation of the head.

Abstract: The present invention is intended to provide a cementless prosthetic bearing element which has been molded and which is possible to place in an acetabular socket without cement, the outer surface of the backing being provided with elements to assist stabilization and the ingrowth of bone. Thus, the bearing element is cheaper and easier to produce and provides superior location and installation in the bone. According to the present invention a cementless prosthetic bearing element comprises a backing which supports a bearing liner having a bearing surface, the backing being molded from a rigid polymeric material and said bearing liner being made from elastomeric polyurethane material to which the backing is molded with an outer surface which includes a number of raised engagement features provided in directions extending away from and/or towards the outer periphery of the outer surface.

Abstract: Orthopedic implants comprising components of zirconium or zirconium-based alloys having surfaces coated with oxidized zirconium contacting other surface-coated oxidized zirconium are disclosed. Such implants provide low friction, highly wear resistant coatings especially useful in artificial joints, such as hip joints, knee joints, elbows, etc., but also useful in non-articulating implant devices such as bone plates, bone screws, etc.

Abstract: The prosthesis of this invention comprises a humeral or femoral component presenting a concave articulation surface, and an intermediate component presenting first and second convex articulation surfaces intended to cooperate respectively with said concave articulation surface of the humeral or femoral component and with a concave glenoid or cotyloid articulation surface. The locus of the instantaneous centres of rotation of the first convex articulation surface, with respect to the concave humeral or femoral articulation surface, and the locus of the instantaneous centres of rotation of the second convex articulation surface on the glenoid or cotyloid surface, are located on either side of the first surface.

Abstract: A prosthetic component is configured to have intentional interruptions in an articulating face thereof. The intentional interruptions are configured to yield an optimum contact area or bearing surface, particularly with regard to low wear and greater lubricity through the application of lubrication and contact mechanics theory for the particular prosthetic component. Such optimization is applied to a wide range of prosthetic component sizes of the particular prosthetic component. The optimum range of percentage area of relief or interruptions, defined as a percentage of a baseline uninterrupted bearing surface area to be removed by the features of the interrupted bearing surface configuration is from 0.3% to 73.7% for hard-on-hard bearing components and from 5.7% to 83.2% for polyethylene-on-hard bearing components. The range for both hard-on-hard and polyethylene-on-hard implants translates to a relieved area ranging from 0.3% to 31.

Abstract: A coating of blue-black or black oxidized zirconium of uniform and controlled thickness on a zirconium or zirconium alloy material is accomplished through the use of a single phase crystalline material substrate having an altered surface roughness. An oxidized zirconium coating of uniform and controlled thickness is especially useful on orthopedic implants of zirconium or zirconium-based alloys to provide low friction, highly wear resistant surfaces on artificial joints, such as, but not limited to, hip joints, knee joints, shoulders, elbows, and spinal implants. The uniformly thick oxidized zirconium surface of controlled depth on prostheses provide a barrier against implant corrosion caused by ionization of the metal prostheses. The invention is also useful in non-articulating implant devices such as bone plates, bone screws, etc.

Abstract: The solution is based on the fact, that on the surface of the acetabulum (3) there is a self-drilling thread, containing at least three independent teeth (41, 42 and 43) which advantageously have a concave shape of the cutting edge and a truncated pike, whereas the planes of their upper edges lie on a spherical surface. The femoral component (1) has on outer side of its lower part (11) an asymmetric tapering under the angle &ggr;=20° to 70° and on the upper part (13) a convexly widened outer side. Minimally on the lower part (11) and middle part (12) of the inner side of the femoral component (1) at least one longitudinal groove (5) is provided, and minimally on one side plane of the middle part (12) and/or of the upper part (13) there, is provided at least one transversal rib (6), forming with the axis of the wedge an angle &bgr;=70° to 110°.

Abstract: A method of restoring a hip replacement prosthesis is described wherein the prosthesis comprises a stem, a femoral head and an acetabular shell having a polyethylene liner, the liner having become worn or damaged. The method comprises removing the liner and replacing it with a hard surface liner, securing it to the acetabular shell, the hard surface liner being shaped to fit the femoral head. The method is carried out without disrupting the fixing of the stem and/or the acetabular shell.

Abstract: Femoral head modular resurfacing systems are described. The systems primarily include a head component and a stem component. The configuration of the head component and stem components allow for minimum invasiveness into the femur head region, thus conserving greater amounts of bone tissue than would be possible with conventional hip replacement systems. The systems also provide for various angles and offsets to be achieved between the systems and the femur head. The systems are useful in partial hip replacement procedures, as well as total hip replacement procedures, in which case an optional acetabular component would also be employed.

Abstract: A prosthesis for replacement of a ball and socket joint in the human body. The prosthetic components comprise a plurality of separate parts which may be inserted through a hole in the femur of the patient and assembled and attached to the prepared acetabulum of the hip bone to form a cup-shaped first shell. A cup is also passed through the hole in the femur and attached to the first shell to form the socket portion of the joint. A shaft having a first end with a ball formed thereon is inserted in the hole through the femur so that the ball engages the cup for movement therein.

Abstract: An endoprosthetic acetabular component of overall cup form is improved by the provision of an outer part (100; 300; 500) for securement to bone and a plurality of inner parts (200; 400; 600) individually selectively interconnectable with the outer part in like manner but providing a dished articulating surface (203; 403; 603) in respectively different predetermined positions varying in depth and/or inclination. The interconnection is preferably rotatably adjustable relative to the cup mouth, suitably by the provision of mutually complementary indented/detented surface formations (104,202; 304,402; 505,607) on the parts. The outer part may also be selectable from a range adapted to respectively different manners of securement to bone.

Abstract: A hip assembly and method are described in which a femoral head cap component secured to the femur with at least one screw is engaged with an acetabulum shell component affixed to the acetabulum with at least one screw, and a trochanteric osteotomy plate is secured to the femur with screws. The assembly further includes a psoas recess in the acetabulum shell for allowing freedom of movement of the illiopsoas tendon, countersunk cancellous screws for securing the components to the bones, and fins mounted on the femoral cap to prevent rotation in the bone.

Abstract: A total hip prosthesis comprises a cotyloid implant consisting of a metal cup to be anchored in the acetabulum, a polyethylene insert which provides an intermediate implant inserted into the cavity of the cup, and a femoral implant consisting of a cap having an outer convex surface which is slidably postionable within the insert cavity. An inner concave surface of the femoral implant is implantable on the head of the femur. The prosthesis is particularly suitable for endo-articular implantation.

Abstract: A joint prosthesis comprising at least a first and a second load carrying member, the first load carrying member being substantially more shock absorbing and resilient than the second load carrying member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and instrumentation for gaining access to areas in and around joints for treatment and to provide new implants and instrumentation adapted for the new method. In a transosseous core approach of the present invention, the joint is entered through a pathway provided in a portion of a joint bone. Such pathway is preferably made by taking out a bone core from the bone in or adjacent to the joint, wherever possible without substantially compromising physical integrity and physiological viability of the joint. Typically the main route for the transosseous core approach traverses through a more-accessible bone of the joint which can be aligned with a less-accessible bone of the joint in order to facilitate treatment of articular surfaces and/or other structures in the joint. The transosseous pathway into the joint is preferably provided by novel surgical instruments such as a core cutter, cartilage punch, hemostatic device, and retractable axial/transaxial cutting device.

Abstract: An oxide coating is formed on zirconium or zirconium alloys of refined microstructure by a process comprising at least the step of inducing an appropriate altered surface roughness such that subsequent oxidation results in a uniformly thick oxide coating. An oxide coating of uniform and controlled thickness is especially useful on orthopedic implants of zirconium or zirconium-based alloys to provide low friction, highly wear resistant surfaces on artificial joints, such as hip joints, knee joints, elbows, etc. The uniformly thick oxide coating of controlled depth on oxide coated prostheses provides a barrier against implant corrosion caused by ionization of the metal prosthesis.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for preventing prosthetic articulating surfaces from separating from each other. A containment system according to one embodiment seeks to prevent an implant stem head from dislocating from a prosthetic component while providing an increased range of motion over conventional contrained components. In one embodiment, an implant structural member includes a cavity and an opening having a lip, including a web along a portion of the lip. An implant stem head has a cooperating surface that corresponds with the web, so that when the cooperating surface of the implant stem head is aligned with the web, the head may be inserted into the implant structural member. The implant stem head is then rotated and the femoral stem component attached, thereby preventing dislocation of the head.

Abstract: Pairs of partner elements for artificial joint implants have two-dimensional surface contact in which one joint part (1) rotates, rolls, slides or combines these in one movement relative to another joint part (2). A gap (10) is formed between the sliding partner elements for a film consisting of natural synovia fluid. The surface of at least one of the sliding partner elements has regularly positioned recesses (3) which serve as a reservoir for the synovia.

Abstract: A hip joint prosthesis comprising a femoral stem, adapted for implant into the medullary canal of a human leg femur, said stem having a superior neck portion whose longitudinal axis is arcuate, forming concave and convex portions thereof, and terminating in a globular femoral head, and an acetabular cup, adapted to be attached to a human pelvis. The cup is sized and shaped to rotatingly receive the femoral head. The inferior portion of the cup is relieved by an indentation therein which accommodates the convex contour of the arcuate neck during extension and abduction of the leg. The concave portion of the neck is adapted to arch over and avoid interfering with the superior rim of the cup during hyperflexion of the leg. The indentation in the inferior portion of the cup is intended to receive and accommodate the convex contour of the arcuate neck during extension and abduction of the leg.

Abstract: A hip-joint socket having an outer shell (1) with a central axis (7) that is to be anchored in the hip bone. The outer shell is detachably mounted, in a geometrically locking manner, on a plastic intermediate shell (1a) exhibiting a hollow-spherical inner side (2). The hip-joint socket also has a wear-resistant inner shell (3) with a spherical outer side (4) and a central axis (8) that is designed to receive a joint ball of a femur shaft. The outer side (4) of the inner shell (3) can be undetachably mounted in a geometrically locking manner to rest against the inner side (2) of the intermediate shell (1a) such that the two central axes (7, 8) coincide. Mutually engaging elements are present at the inner shell and intermediate shell (3 resp. 1a) that consist, on one hand, of a prismatic salient (5) configured at the vertex (9) of the inner shell (10) on the outer side (4) and, on the other hand, of a prismatic recess (6) configured at the vertex (10) of the intermediate shell (1a) on the inner side (2).

Abstract: A coating of blue-black or black oxidized zirconium of uniform and controlled thickness on a zirconium or zirconium alloy material is accomplished through the use of a single phase crystalline material substrate having an altered surface roughness. An oxidized zirconium coating of uniform and controlled thickness is especially useful on orthopedic implants of zirconium or zirconium-based alloys to provide low friction, highly wear resistant surfaces on artificial joints, such as, but not limited to, hip joints, knee joints, shoulders, elbows, and spinal implants. The uniformly thick oxidized zirconium surface of controlled depth on prostheses provide a barrier against implant corrosion caused by ionization of the metal prostheses. The invention is also useful in non-articulating implant devices such as bone plates, bone screws, etc.

Abstract: A prosthetic femoral stem component comprising a body element, a neck element and a stem element, with the body element, neck element and stem element being secured to one another with a modular connection, wherein the modular connection comprises a taper junction and an engaged-fit junction.

Abstract: There is disclosed a hip prosthesis to replace a damaged hip-joint. The hip prosthesis is intended to be disposed at one end thereof into a cup-shaped cavity of an acetabulum and at the other end thereof into a femur canal of a person suffering from a damaged hip-joint. The hip prosthesis comprises an acetabulum part having a cotyloid member to be tightly engaged into the acetabulum, an elongated neck part, and a femur part. The elongated neck part has an articulation head at one end thereon, the head being shaped to be articulately received in the acetabulum part, and a slidable connection at the other end thereof for engagement with the femur part. The femur part has a femur canal insertable portion formed with an arrangement to secure same in the femur canal by being embedded in regenerated bone marrow, and an engaging channel to receive the slidable connection of the elongated neck part and to securely connect the elongated neck part to the femur part.

Abstract: Prosthetic joints, components for prosthetic joints, superhard bearing and articulation surfaces, diamond bearing and articulation surfaces, substrate surface topographical features, materials for making joints, bearing and articulation surfaces, and methods for manufacturing and finishing the same, and related information are disclosed, including a prosthetic hip joint having sintered polycrystalline diamond articulation.

Abstract: A hip joint prosthesis including a stem assembly attached to the femur and having a generally spherical head and a cup assembly having an outer casing received within the hip socket. The cup assembly outer casing includes threadedly attached upper and lower portions to encapsulate the lining and the lining includes an upper portion having a recess receiving the head and a split lower portion seating the head. The cup assembly also includes an interior spring assembly providing shock absorption between the head and the casing. The stem assembly includes an elongate stem and a cooperating shield attached to the stem, the stem being independently movable following insertion of the stem and shield into the femur.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a prosthetic device for placement in an implant area of the body. The prosthetic device comprises an elongated stem portion, a neck portion, and a head portion. Each of the stem, neck, and head portions comprise a material impregnated with an antibiotic agent such that, when the prosthetic device is inserted into the implant area in place of a weight-bearing prosthesis, the antibiotic agent can leach out of the material to fight infection in the implant area. As an added benefit, the structure of the prosthetic device maintains adequate joint spacing in opposition to contraction of the muscles and tendons of the patient over a period of time so that a weight-bearing prosthesis can again be implanted into the implant area after the infection has been overcome.

Abstract: A total hip prothesis comprises a cotyloid implant consisting of a metal cup to be anchored in the acetabulum, a polyethylene insert which provides an intermediate implant inserted into the cavity of the cup, and a femoral implant consisting of a cap having an outer convex surface which is slidably positionable within the insert cavity. An inner concave surface of the femoral implant is implantable on the head of the femur. The prothesis is particularly suitable for endo-articular implantation.