Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating a hip joint of a human patient, the hip joint comprising an acetabulum, the acetabulum being a part of the pelvic bone, and a caput femur, the caput femur being the proximal part of the femoral bone, said method comprising the steps of: cutting the skin of the human patient, dissecting an area of the pelvic bone on the opposite side from the acetabulum, creating a hole in said dissected area, said hole passing through the pelvic bone and into the hip joint of the human patient, and performing an action in the hip joint, through said hole in the pelvic bone.

Abstract: A medical device for implantation in a hip joint of a human patient, the natural hip joint having a ball shaped caput femur as the proximal part of the femoral bone with a convex hip joint surface towards the center of the hip joint and a bowl shaped acetabulum as part of the pelvic bone with a concave hip joint surface towards the center of the hip joint. The medical device comprising; an artificial caput femur, comprising a convex surface towards the center of the hip joint. The artificial convex caput femur is adapted to, when implanted: be fixated to the pelvic bone of the human patient, and be in movable connection with an artificial acetabulum surface fixated to the femoral bone of the patient, thereby forming a ball and socket joint. The medical device further comprises a fixation element comprising a fixation surface adapted to be in contact with the surface of the acetabulum and adapted to fixate the artificial convex caput femur to at least the acetabulum of the pelvic bone.

Abstract: A method of implanting a revision glenoid component in one embodiment includes accessing a previously implanted glenoid component in a scapula, removing the previously implanted glenoid component, identifying an inferior glenoid circle center of the scapula, preparing a glenoid fossa of the scapula to receive a revision glenoid component, selecting a revision glenoid component, and implanting the selected revision glenoid component based upon the identified inferior glenoid circle center in the prepared glenoid fossa.

Abstract: A reverse joint prosthesis to replace a “ball and socket” joint such as a hip or shoulder. In the case of a hip, the prosthesis comprises an acetabular cup for implanting in an acetabular socket. The acetabular cup is secured to the acetabular socket of the pelvis. The acetabular cup has a stem extending from the center of a concave portion thereof and an acetabular ball is attached to the stem. A femoral implant is provided with a femoral cup attached to the proximal end thereof. The femoral cup has a stem which can be constructed in a modular fashion with several stem lengths to accommodate different size patients. After implantation of the acetabular cup and ball and the femoral cup, the members are assembled together so that the femoral cup can articulate on the acetabular ball. The prosthesis of the invention has substantially reduced likelihood of dislocation during extreme ranges of motion.

Abstract: A reverse hip prosthesis comprising an acetabular cup for implanting in a previously implanted acetabular cup. The acetabular cup is secured to the previously implanted acetabular cup using an o-ring. The acetabular cup has a stem extending from the center of a concave portion thereof and an acetabular ball is attached to the stem, preferably by means of a Morse taper. A femoral implant is provided with a femoral cup attached to the proximal end thereof. The femoral cup has a stem which can be constructed in a modular fashion with several stem lengths in order to accommodate the various sizing requirements of different patients. After implantation of the acetabular cup and ball and the femoral cup, the members are assembled together so that the femoral cup can articulate on the acetabular ball.

Abstract: An acetabular hip implant includes an acetabular shell component having a first feature and a first insert having a second feature that cooperates with the first feature of the acetabular shell component and further includes a third feature. The implant further includes a second insert having a fourth feature that cooperates with the third feature of the first insert and further includes a fifth feature. A femoral head component includes a sixth feature that cooperates with the fifth feature. Interaction between the first and second features, between the third and fourth features, and between the fifth and sixth features mechanically constrains the acetabular hip implant to prevent dislocation of the femoral head during rotation.

Abstract: A prosthetic femoral component comprising: (a) a femoral shaft; (b) a femoral neck operatively coupled to the femoral shaft; and, (c) a femoral ball operatively coupled to the femoral shaft, where a neck axis extending longitudinally through the femoral neck is angled at no greater than thirty-five degrees with respect to a femoral shaft axis extending longitudinally through the femoral shaft.

Abstract: An acetabular hip implant includes an acetabular shell component, a first insert secured to the acetabular shell component, a second insert secured to the first insert, and a femoral head configured to be secured to the second insert. The first insert is permitted to rotate relative to the acetabular shell about a first axis, the second insert is permitted to rotate relative to the first insert about a second axis, and the femoral head is permitted to rotate relative to the second insert about a third axis.

Abstract: An artificial joint for implantation in humans and animals, the joint comprising a joint body arranged between two base elements which are adapted to be connected to adjoining bone parts. The two base elements comprise horizontal and vertical retaining members respectively, that hold the joint body between them. The joint body comprises curved surfaces arranged to make sliding contact to corresponding curved surfaces of at least one base element. The joint body this way distributes the applied forces over a large surface to withstand the load initiated by the patient. The joint body is kept in position using pins held by retaining members at the base elements. The angle of motion can be predetermined by the design of the implant body to mimic the movement of a normal finger.

Abstract: An improved hip prosthesis includes an acetabular cup bearing component constructed from a relatively hard and high strength ceramic material for articulation with a ball-shaped femoral head component which may be constructed from a compatible ceramic or metal material. In one form, the acetabular cup further includes a ceramic porous bone ingrowth surface adhered thereto for secure ingrowth attachment to natural patient bone.

Abstract: A prosthetic joint in which at least one bearing component is made from solid diamond.

Abstract: Hip prosthesis. The femur side hip prosthesis includes both a ball and socket bearing and another (secondary) bearing system which facilitates motion of the type which is primarily in the forward and backward swinging of the leg. In certain embodiments of the invention, the secondary bearing system includes needle bearings and thrust bearings. That secondary bearing system lessens the motion of the ball and socket joint required during common activities such as walking. Certain embodiments of the invention include a modular connection between the stem for placement within the femur and the assembly that includes the secondary bearing.

Abstract: Wheels, bearings, or other rotating elements are used to decrease friction in artificial joint components associated with knee and hip replacements, artificial ankles, elbows, wrist, finger joints, toe joints, and intervertebral discs. One or more seals may be used to trap debris inside the artificial joint. The seal may surround the periphery of the component(s), and may be used to hold a fluid within the joint. Various fluids or lubricants are applicable to these embodiments, including water or aqueous solutions, triglyceride oil, soybean oil, an inorganic oil (e.g. silicone oil or fluorocarbon), glycerin, ethylene glycol, or other animal, vegetable, synthetic oil, or combinations thereof could be used. The seal could be made of an expandable elastomer such as those used in medical devices for the cardiovascular system.

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: An artificial joint for implantation into a subject's body is provided which includes an outer race coupled with fixation means to anchor the outer race within an existing joint socket. An inner race member seats within the outer race and a first bearing member is juxtaposed therebetween. The first bearing member has its normal axis closely coincident with a center of rotation that is normal to an axis of most frequent movement of the joint. The bearing component is installed in an alignment that supports loads on a primary axis. A second bearing member may be provided between the inner and outer race members which constrains forces generated during use of the joint and centers forces onto the first bearing member.