Abstract: A method and apparatus for re-attaching the labrum of a hip joint.

Abstract: A modular acetabular cup assembly (10, 100, 200, 300, 350) for use with multiple bearing liners (32, 110, 212, 310, 354) is disclosed. The acetabular cup assembly includes a shell (12) having a tapered inner wall (28) and two circumferential grooves (24, 26). The shell (12) may be used with polyethylene, ceramic, metal, and other types of liners.

Abstract: A method of producing an improved polyethylene, especially an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene utilizes a sequential irradiation and annealing process to form a highly cross-linked polyethylene material. The use of sequential irradiation followed by sequential annealing after each irradiation allows each dose of irradiation in the series of doses to be relatively low while achieving a total dose which is sufficiently high to cross-link the material. The process may either be applied to a preformed material such as a rod or bar or sheet made from polyethylene resin or may be applied to a finished polyethylene part.

Abstract: A prosthetic system is disclosed that can have a feature for identifying an aspect of the prosthetic member and related instruments. The identification feature can identify cooperating components of the prosthetic system, such as an implant and instruments for use with the implant.

Abstract: An artificial hip cup design having an external groove for accepting a split ring or segmented split rings with knife shaped edges and specially designed set screws which expand the split ring's outer diameter. After the cup is placed in the socket of the pelvic bone, it can be readjusted, if necessary, and then locked in final position.

Abstract: An orthopedic component having multiple layers that are selected to provide an overall modulus that is substantially lower than the modulus of known orthopedic components to more closely approximate the modulus of the bone into which the orthopedic component is implanted. In one exemplary embodiment, the orthopedic component is an acetabular shell. For example, the acetabular shell may include an outer layer configured for securement to the natural acetabulum of a patient and an inner layer configured to receive an acetabular liner. The head of a femoral prosthesis articulates against the acetabular liner to replicate the function of a natural hip joint. Alternatively, the inner layer of the acetabular shell may act as an integral acetabular liner against which the head of the femoral prosthesis articulates.

Abstract: A joint prosthesis device comprises a head configured to fit within a cup and in one embodiment includes a first member for attachment to a first bone in a joint and including a first articulation surface portion defined by a first radius of curvature and a second member for attachment to a second bone in the joint and including a second articulation surface portion defined by a second radius of curvature and a third articulation surface defined by a third radius of curvature, wherein each of the second radius of curvature and the third radius of curvature has a length that is different from the length of the first radius of curvature by less than 0.05 millimeters and wherein the origin of the second radius of curvature is not coincident with the origin of the third radius of curvature.

Abstract: A orthopaedic implant comprises an acetabular cup and a wireless communication device. The wireless communication device is coupled to a rim surface of the acetabular cup. In one embodiment, a recess is defined in the rim surface and the wireless communication device is positioned therein. In another embodiment, the wireless communication device is positioned in an annular ring formed of a biocompatible material. The annular ring is coupled to the rim surface of the acetabular cup. The wireless communication device may be, for example, a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag or device.

Abstract: A prosthetic acetabular cup impaction plate comprising an annular cup engaging surface comprising an annular array of first shape portions adapted to substantially complement portions of the natural shape of the right side acetabulum, which first shape portions are intersected by an annular array of second shape portions adapted to substantially complement the natural shape of the left side acetabulum.

Abstract: An improved composition of titanium sintered titanium carbide is provided. The composition provides an improved degree of strength and toughness and improved compatibility with medical imaging. The composition provides good compatibility with sintered polycrystalline diamond, achieving a good mechanical fit in terms of the combined compressibility and thermal expansion during the sintering process to minimize stress or cracking between the substrate and the diamond layer.

Abstract: An acetabular cup assembly for use in the replacement of a hip joint, including a shell having a substantially hemispherical outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface includes a groove extending at least partially around the inner surface. A provisional liner is provided which is receivable within the shell, the liner including a hemispherical cavity and articulation surface for receipt of the femoral head of a femoral prosthesis, and at least one flexible tab portion which engages the groove of the shell in a snap-fit manner.

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: A method for placing a prosthetic acetabular cup within an acetabulum comprises implanting an acetabular cup with an eccentric socket. The acetabular cup may be substantially hemispherical with a cup rim and a portion of the cup rim removed defining a relief. The cup may accommodate a concentric liner in an eccentric position. Screw apertures may be present on the periphery of the cup and the screw trajectories may converge toward the dome of the cup. The cup is attached to a tool which is offset relative to the cup because of the substantially eccentric socket. The relief, when the cup is secured to the acetabulum, is positioned substantially anterior and the socket is positioned more posterior to provide a more natural center of rotation of a femoral head within the socket. The first relief reduces impingement of the acetabular cup on soft tissue.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is a porous article including a porous portion with an average ratio between about 2:1 and about 5:1 of major pore size to minor pore size, having a substantially uniform pore distribution and a porosity of at least 70 percent, the porous article for use as a biological implant. The biological implant can be, for example, an acetabular cup.

Abstract: A patient-specific acetabular resection guide includes a dome-shaped surface bounded by a periphery. The dome-shaped surface is a three-dimensional patient-specific surface designed to anatomically match and be received into an acetabulum of the patient, based on a three-dimensional image of a hip joint of the patient reconstructed from a medical scan of the hip joint. The resection guide includes a plurality of guiding formations defined on the resection guide and having patient-specific shapes and orientations for guiding corresponding osteotomies relative to the acetabulum for correcting hip dysplasia.

Abstract: An acetabular prosthetic device comprising at least one acetabular augment coupled to an acetabular cup by an augment coupling element to secure the acetabular prosthetic device in place wherein the acetabular cup comprises a shell having at least one groove formed on the outer surface thereof to slidably receive the augment coupling element therein and the acetabular augment comprises an augment body configured to engage the shell and the ilia bone such that the augment coupling element is moved along the groove to position the acetabular body to engage both the shell and ilia bone to secure the acetabular prosthetic device in place.

Abstract: A trial system for a prosthesis is described. The prosthesis can include an acetabular prosthesis generally for implantation in an acetabulum and the surrounding pelvis. The acetabular prosthesis includes an acetabular cup having a substantially concave inner surface and a substantially convex outer surface. One trial shell or a collection of trial shells are provided to trial a range of motion of the hip joint before implanting a shell prosthesis into the acetabular prosthesis.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for replacing a portion of cartilage in an acetabulum. A prosthesis can be positioned within an acetabulum to form a portion of the articulation surface within the acetabulum and to articulate with a femoral bone. For example, an acetabular prosthesis can be implanted to articulate with the natural femoral head.

Abstract: A prosthesis comprising: an inner layer (4) formed from a polyaryletherketone; a first outer layer (2a) adjacent to said inner layer formed from a porous polyaryletherketone, at least some of said pores having located therein material to promote osteointegration; and a second outer layer (2b) adjacent to said first outer layer formed from a porous polyaryletherketone, a portion of said pores being free of material to promote osteointegration. The invention also relates to a method of manufacture of the prosthesis.

Abstract: The invention relates to an acetabular prosthesis comprising an, in general, hemispherically shaped insert (1) having a crown (5) and an apex (4), this insert being provided, on its outer surface (2), with at least one fin. The invention is characterized in that the fin (6) has a face (9) starting from the crown (5) of the insert (1) and extending toward the apex (4) of the insert while forming a crest (10). This crest (10) has an, in particular, curved shape.

Abstract: Devices and methods for identifying and maintaining the concentric spherical centers of a femur and acetabulum during revision or joint replacement surgery so that post surgery the anatomical spherical centers are maintained. Also disclosed are novel techniques and devices to project images onto an anatomical feature, such as exposed bone, to virtually fit trial prosthetic components, establish bone cut markings, and establishing the anatomical spherical center of a joint.

Abstract: A line of cotyloid implants of different sizes including a cup intended to be fastened in a cotyloid cavity and including a substantially hemispherical polar portion and an equatorial portion extending the polar portion, the polar portion and the equatorial portion delimiting a substantially hemispherical inner cavity, an insert pivotally mounted in the inner cavity delimited by the polar and equatorial portions of the cup, the insert delimiting an inner cavity having an inner spherical surface portion and intended to pivotally and retentively mount a prosthetic femoral head, where the height of the equatorial portions of the cups of the various cotyloid implants belonging to the line varies in a decreasing manner as a function of the increase in the size of the cotyloid implants.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for re-attaching the labrum of a hip joint.

Abstract: A preassembled acetabular cup prosthesis comprising an outer shell and a ceramic liner located within the shell, said preassembled unit having been assembled ex-vivo under a controlled force selected to optimize the pre-stressing of the components of the prosthesis.

Abstract: An orthopaedic prosthesis includes a curved outer surface configured to abut a patient's bone when the orthopaedic prosthesis is implanted therein. The outer surface may or may not be electrically conductive. A channel is defined in the outer surface in which one or more electrical conductors are positioned. A switch is positioned at a first location on the outer surface and is configured to establish an electrical connection between the electrical conductor and the outer surface (e.g., an electrical trace) and/or another electrical conductor when the first location of the outer surface is pressed against the patient's bone. The switch may be embodied as an end of the electrical conductor or a more complex switch such as a push-button type switch.

Abstract: An insert for an acetabular cup includes an insertion body having an external surface shaped to be able to be coupled with a mating seating of the acetabular cup. The insert includes at least a friction element positioned on the external surface to determine a predefined friction with the surface of the seating, so that, during use, the friction element prevents the relative rotation of the insertion body and the acetabular cup.

Abstract: The invention relates to an acetabular cup (4) and a cup insert (3) for a hip joint prosthesis (12), wherein the cup insert (3) is coupled to the acetabular cup by means of a clamping cone (5) of a conical clamping device in the equatorial region (7) of the two components (3, 4) and, in the unloaded state of the cup insert (3), a gap (8) is provided between the two components (3, 4) below the clamping cone (5) to the pole (6), said gap being delimited by the radial contours of the two components (3, 4). In order to reduce the tensile stresses in the cup insert, the radial contours of the two components (3, 4) have identical geometric elements in the same order, starling front the lower cone end (9) to the pole (6), and tangential or substantially tangential transitions exist between the geometric elements.

Abstract: An osteoconductive backing implant for joint revisions is provided that may enhance bone healing and, for cementless implants, bony integration of the implant. The backing implant comprises a generally planar surface that may be formed into a generally hemispherical shape. In one embodiment, the backing implant comprises a disc having an inner hole and an outer edge, at least one slit extending from the inner hole to the outer edge. The disc may be formed from a coherent mass of elongate, mechanically entangled demineralized bone particles.

Abstract: In order to avoid any metallic wear of the material of the outer shell of a hip joint socket for implantation into the pelvic bone, comprising an outer shell consisting of metal and an insert arranged in it for supporting a joint ball of a femur implant, due to the joint ball sliding past the lower edge of the outer shell it is suggested that the lower edge of the outer shell be covered by a non-metallic material.

Abstract: An acetabular cup prosthesis comprising an acetabular cup having a rim and comprising a metal band applied around the outer circumference of the acetabular cup prosthesis and adjacent to said rim.

Abstract: A pelvic implant includes a first surface including a recess configured for receiving a portion of a flange of an acetabular cage and a patient-specific second surface opposite to the first surface. The patient-specific second surface is preoperatively configured from a three-dimensional digital image of a pelvis of a patient to mate and closely conform to a corresponding surface of the pelvis under the flange in only one position.

Abstract: A socket insert of a hip joint prosthesis having a spherical-indentation-shaped recess in which a spherical head of a femur is mounted. The spherical indentation has a run-in zone which ends on one side with a circular arc tangentially in an end face of the socket insert and extends on another side as far as the run-in edge. Between a start of the circular arc with a radius of the length (RE) and the run-in edge of the spherical indentation with the radius of the length (RK) the run-in zone forms a curve, the function of which is continuously differentiated twice at every point.

Abstract: A method of producing an improved polyethylene, especially an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene utilizes a sequential irradiation and annealing process to form a highly cross-linked polyethylene material. The use of sequential irradiation followed by sequential annealing after each irradiation allows each dose of irradiation in the series of doses to be relatively low while achieving a total dose which is sufficiently high to cross-link the material. The process may either be applied to a preformed material such as a rod or bar or sheet made from polyethylene resin or may be applied to a finished polyethylene part.

Abstract: The invention provides a medical implant device or component thereof comprising a metal substrate, an intermediate coating, and an outer coating of aluminum oxide, as well as a method of making such a medical implant device or component thereof.

Abstract: An acetabular implant for hip replacement surgery includes a shell component and first and second alternative bearing components interchangeably engageable with the shell component to provide a choice in bearing components. The shell component has a shell component engagement mechanism suitable for engaging the first alternative bearing component. A conversion ring is also engageable with the shell component, so that a shell component/conversion ring assembly provides a second shell component engagement mechanism suitable for engagement with the second alternative bearing component.

Abstract: A pre-assembled orthopaedic implant adapted for improved gas sterilization. The implant includes a first component adapted for assembly with a second component such that a mating surface of the first component is in close proximity with a mating surface of the second component. At least one gas conduit associated with the mating surface of the first component facilitates a sterilizing gas to penetrate into and dissipate from the interface defined by the mating surfaces.

Abstract: A prosthetic assembly A prosthetic assembly (10) comprising: a body portion (12); first and second flanges (14, 16) provided on a rim (18) of the body portion; the first and second flanges being provided with first and second openings (20, 22) respectively; and a bridging member (24) connectable to the first and second flanges such that the member spans between the first and second flanges, the member being provided with a third opening (26); wherein the first, second and third openings are suitable for receiving first, second and third bone attachment members (28, 30, 32) respectively.

Abstract: Medical implants exhibiting optimized mechanical properties, and methods of making such implants, are disclosed. That is, the implants are fabricated of a porous metal substrate and include coating integrated over various areas so as to provide some added or desirable property or functionality to the implant. In one embodiment, the implant is an acetabular implant with a coating applied to an internal, concave wear surface which is sized and configured to receive a head of a femur. Typically, the coating is a ceramic incorporated onto the desired area of the implant via electrophoretic deposition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for making oxidation resistant medical devices that comprise polymeric materials, for example, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). The invention also provides methods of making antioxidant-doped medical implants, for example, doping of medical devices containing cross-linked UHMWPE with vitamin E by diffusion and materials used therein.

Abstract: Methods and instruments for repairing a damaged acetabular labrum. The arc length of a portion of an acetabular rim proximal to the damaged (torn or broken) region of the acetabular labrum is measured, and a graft, such as a meniscal allograft or a gracilis autograft, is trimmed according to the measurement and secured in the damaged region of the acetabular labrum as a replacement. Various instruments, such as a wheel mounted on an arm, a measuring member with spaced tines, or a hollow arm with a graduated wire, can be used to measure the arc length of the damaged region of the acetabular labrum.

Abstract: A method of preparing an implant for bone in-growth comprising: providing a metal implant body, the metal implant body having a metal load bearing layer on an outer surface, the metal load bearing layer having a plurality of pores therein, the pores configured to promote bone in-growth into the load bearing layer; providing calcium sulfate hemi-hydrate; providing a diluent; mixing the calcium sulfate hemi-hydrate and the diluent to form a calcium sulfate paste; applying the calcium sulfate paste to the load bearing layer such that the calcium paste substantially impregnates at least a portion of the pores and forms an excess layer of the calcium sulfate paste on an outer surface of the load bearing layer; and wiping the calcium sulfate paste to remove the excess layer and thereby expose the outer surface of the load bearing layer while leaving the calcium sulfate paste impregnated in the pores.

Abstract: A system and method for placing a prosthetic acetabular cup within an acetabulum are disclosed. The system may comprise an acetabular cup with an eccentric socket. The acetabular cup may be substantially hemispherical with a cup rim and a portion of the cup rim removed defining a relief. The cup may accommodate a concentric liner in an eccentric position. Screw apertures may be present on the periphery of the cup and the screw trajectories may converge toward the dome of the cup. The cup is attached to a tool which is offset relative to the cup because of the substantially eccentric socket. The relief, when the cup is secured to the acetabulum, is positioned substantially anterior and the socket is positioned more posterior to provide a more natural center of rotation of a femoral head within the socket. The first relief reduces impingement of the acetabular cup on soft tissue.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a self-cutting screw-in element, e.g., an artificial hip joint socket, having a lateral surface which is at least partially curved or buckled in the threaded area, and a thread interrupted by at least one flute having a thread tooth profile tilted in the feed direction, in which the cutting edge formed between flute and thread tooth is displaced on the side of the thread tooth opposite to the feed direction, and/or in which the inclination or twist direction of the flute runs opposite to the twist direction of the thread and the inclination or twist angle of the flute is larger than the pitch angle of the thread. A design of this type is advantageous for specific applications because the forces necessary for screwing-in may thus be significantly reduced without disadvantageous effect on the other properties.

Abstract: An acetabular cup prosthesis having a rim and comprising a metal band applied around the outer circumference of the acetabular cup prosthesis and adjacent to said rim, said cup prosthesis additionally comprising one or more flanges extending from the metal band and being configured such that in use the or each flange connects the prosthesis to an impaction cup.

Abstract: An improved hlp 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: Systems and methods for determining placement of prosthetic components in joint including defining patient-specific frame of reference for joint, determining patient-specific postoperative range of motion of joint, evaluating patient-specific range of motion of joint, automatically planning placement of components balancing need for range of motion with prosthesis stability through bony coverage, and applying manual adjustments to the automatically planned placement of component by giving greater or lesser weight to need for range of motion or prosthesis stability through bony coverage. Apparatuses for defining center of prosthetic femoral head and axis of prosthetic femoral neck including primary cylinder, first alignment receptacle and second alignment receptacle, and a divot on exterior of primary cylinder, divot having normal parallel to longitudinal axis of second alignment receptacle and position of the divot being translated toward an opening of the first alignment receptacle on the primary cylinder.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for replacing a portion of cartilage in an acetabulum. A prosthesis can be positioned within an acetabulum to form a portion of the articulation surface within the acetabulum and to articulate with a femoral bone. For example, an acetabular prosthesis can be implanted to articulate with the natural femoral head.

Abstract: A prosthesis has prosthetic components principally comprising metallic materials, in which a portion of an articular interface between respective components is a metallic-nonmetallic interface. At least a portion of the articular surface of a femoral head may include a ceramic material defining an articulation zone, such as at a polar region of the femoral head, so that the ceramic articulates with a metallic acetabular liner. The area covered by the ceramic may be engineered to optimize the contact conditions between the femoral head and the acetabular liner, such as by providing two clearances therebetween. A relatively smaller, polar articulation clearance is defined by the gap between the ceramic coating and the metallic acetabular liner. A relatively larger, equatorial non-articulation clearance between the femoral head and the acetabular liner is defined by the gap between the portion of the femoral head not covered by the ceramic coating.

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 proximal femoral prosthesis minimizes impingement, thereby affording an enhanced range of motion as compared to existing devices. The central portion of the neck of a prosthesis according to the invention is oriented distally relative to a straight line drawn between the ball portion and a point of interconnection to the exposed portion of the stem. Such a configuration reduces impingement in flexion/internal rotation and extension/external rotation, assuming an appropriately placed acetabular component. In the preferred embodiment, the neck is curved between the head and the neck. In alternative embodiments, the neck may be provided in straight and/or modular segments. The invention is compatible with neck-shaft angles, offsets, head sizes, and other dimensions commonly designated with respect to available implants.