Abstract: A line of joint implant systems includes an implant including a cup to be affixed in one of the elements of the considered joint, defining a smooth inner cavity of substantially hemispherical shape. The implant also includes an insert, mobile within the inner cavity of the fixation cup and having its smooth outer surface intended to cooperate by ball-and-socket joint with the inner cavity, and defining in turn a smooth inner cavity of substantially hemispherical shape. The implant further includes a head or ball, solid with a second element of the joint, of spherical shape, intended to be received in the inner cavity of the mobile insert and to form a second ball-and-socket joint. The ratio of the inner diameter of the inner cavity of the fixation cup to the inner diameter of the inner cavity of the mobile insert is constant, whatever the diameter of the selected ball.

Abstract: A system and method for quantitatively assessing a press fit value (and provide a mechanism to evaluate optimal quantitative values) of any implant/bone interface regardless the variables involved including bone site preparation, material properties of bone and implant, implant geometry and coefficient of friction of the implant-bone interface without requiring a visual positional assessment of a depth of insertion. The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and is provided in the context of a patent application and its requirements.

Abstract: A prosthesis assembly is provided that includes a base member (104) that has a helical structure (224) and one or more pathways. The helical structure extends between a first end and a second end. The pathway is accessible from the second end and is directed toward the first end through the helical structure. The pathway is located inward of an outer periphery of the helical structure, e.g., adjacent to an inner periphery of the helical structure. The pathway extends in a space between successive portions of the helical structure. The prosthesis assembly includes a locking device (108) that has a support member and an arm (110) I/O that projects away from the support member. The arm is configured to be disposed in the pathway when the support member is disposed adjacent to the second end of the base member. The arm is disposed through bone in the space between successive portions of the helical structure when the prosthesis assembly is implanted.

Abstract: The invention relates to a ball-and-socket implant (I), in particular an acetabular implant, preferably in the shape of a spherical cup shell, said implant having at least one region with a surface structure (2, 7). The at least one region extends between the equator and the pole of the spherical cup shell. The surface structure comprises a plurality of structural elements (6), each of which is formed by a plurality of intersecting ridges (3, 8) with opposite inclinations. The number of structural elements (6) on the equator (5) or on a circle of latitude near the equator is the same as on a circle of latitude near the pole. The ridges (3, 8) have a curvature such that the inclination of the ridges with respect to the circles of latitude, and thus an angle between a tangent of the ridge curvature and a circle of latitude, continuously increases from the equator (5) to the pole (4).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a screw-in element having a changing thread profile, in particular an artificial hip joint socket which may be screwed in, and a method for producing screw-in elements of this type. For the purpose of implementing a specific curve of the thread tooth height along the thread extension, it is suggested that the flank of the thread tooth pointing in the screw-in direction be implemented having a constant angle, and the other flank of the thread tooth be implemented having a changing angle. In addition, it is suggested that a type of staircase function made of ramps and steps be superimposed on the thread course to implement a clearance angle and an exposed position of the thread tooth in this way. The practical implementation of the method requires a CNC machine, preferably a CNC lathe, having a so-called B axis and a specific procedure in regard to the programming.

Abstract: A cotyloid implant including a screwable cup receiving an articular insert. The cup is provided with screwing elements (11) on the periphery thereof and more particularly in the equatorial area (2) thereof, the elements being used to penetrate the bone material of the acetabular cup during screwing. The cup includes an osteointegration-facilitating coating such as a selective calcium hydroxyapatite coating. The coating (16) is a thick coating on the convex parts of the outer surface of the cup, including areas or valleys or hollow thread elements which are left free in the screwing elements. The coating is not as thick (17) on raised areas or screw thread areas.

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: The invention relates to a cotyloid component of a hip prosthesis, said cotyloid component being hollow and in the form of a cup whose outer part has a thread allowing it to be fixed in the iliac bone, said thread being a discontinuous self-cutting double thread (20, 21), and said cotyloid component having a flattened upper pole (1), a coating that promotes osseointegration on its outer face (10), and a concave, substantially hemispherical and polished inner surface (11), characterized in that: (a) the pitch of the threads (20, 21) decreases from the upper pole (1) towards the equatorial periphery (3) of the cotyloid component, (b) the thicknesses of the threads (20, 21) increase from the upper pole (1) of the cotyloid component towards its periphery (3), (c) the crest of the threads (20, 21) is sharp towards the pole (1) of the cotyloid component and rounded or substantially trapezoidal towards the equatorial periphery (3) of the cotyloid component.

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: A process for hobble lathing, and preferred process applications, for the cutting of workpieces with non-circular or discontinuous contours on programmable lathes. The use and combination of a special program e.g. of thread cycles and hobble values for the diameter and/or the longitudinal axis or the pitch, the angle of the spindle, in option of a reciprocal-step technique and interleaved machining sequences opens up virtually infinite possibilities. The preferred applications of the process allow special threads to be cut on screw-in bodies, e.g. screw-in artificial hip joint sockets and bone screws for example with neutral or virtually any angle of pitch or relief of the thread blade as well as e.g. internal and external contours on workpieces for circular wedge connections. A particularly beneficial hip joint socket is presented comprising so-called screw or threaded surfaces.

Abstract: A process for hobble lathing, and preferred process applications, for the cutting of workpieces with non-circular or discontinuous contours on programmable lathes. The use and combination of a special program e.g. of thread cycles and hobble values for the diameter and/or the longitudinal axis or the pitch, the angle of the spindle, in option of a reciprocal-step technique and interleaved machining sequences opens up virtually infinite possibilities. The preferred applications of the process allow special threads to be cut on screw-in bodies, e.g. screw-in artificial hip joint sockets and bone screws for example with neutral or virtually any angle of pitch or relief of the thread blade as well as e.g. internal and external contours on workpieces for circular wedge connections. A particularly beneficial hip joint socket is presented comprising so-called screw or threaded surfaces.

Abstract: An orthopedic implant for the partial replacement of joint surfaces. In one exemplary embodiment, the orthopedic implant includes an articular portion having a concave articular surface and a base body. The orthopedic implant may be sized to replace a small portion of the patient's natural acetabulum. In this manner, the orthopedic implant allows for the repair and/or replacement of a small portion of the articular cartilage of the acetabulum. In one exemplary embodiment, a plurality of different sized orthopedic implants may be connected together to replace a larger portion articular cartilage.

Abstract: The cotyloidal implant has a hemispherical cup (5) forming an internal cavity (10), and an insert (7) engageable into the cavity, the cup being set in place by impaction and having to this effect anchoring asperities (15) provided on its external face, having the form of lozenges and which are contiguous and imbricated. The cup (5) is provided, on its external face, with two coaxial grooves configured like helical threads (38) having reverse pitches which intersect each other on a large portion of said external face, which are inclined in the direction of the cup opening and which have a depth increasing progressively in the opening direction of the cup (5); due to their intersection, the grooves delimit an important number of asperities (15). The invention provides for the making of a cotyloidal implant which can be anchored to the pelvis without the use of cement and screws.

Abstract: An acetabular cup having an outer surface elongated in a superior/lateral direction is effective to anatomically transfer load to the acetabulum and reduce the likelihood of bone fracture during implantation into the acetabulum. The outer surface has a first portion defined by a first radius and a second portion defined by a second radius. The second radius is offset from the first radius in superior and lateral directions to elongate the outer surface of the acetabular cup.