Patent US3916451A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3916451A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Floating center prosthetic joint
Assignee: BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING TRUST
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Filing: 1974-10-25
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Granted: 1975-11-04
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Expires: 1994-10-25
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to prosthetic joints of the type used to replace dysfunctional natural joints such as the shoulder, hip, and knee. Provision of an intermediate floating bearing element to which are rotatably engaged members which are in turn secured to the appropriate bone structures results in enhanced relative motion and improved resistance to dislocation. A flange or ''''skirt'''' on the floating bearing element provides additional strength and improved function. The invention is suited to embodiments in both ball and socket and hinge type joints. Assembly and disassembly of the joint are facilitated by twopiece construction of the floating bearing element and the use of snap rings for attaching fixed bearing elements to components which may be permanently secured to the bone structure. The snap rings may be designed to support normal loads yet fracture without damage to the other components, where necessary to disassemble an implanted prosthetic joint.
Inventors
- 👤 Frederick F Buechel
- 👤 Michael J Pappas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 20:28
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/32; A61F2/38; A61F2/3836; A61F2/3854; A61F2/40; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/68; A61F2/4081; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30108; A61F2002/3011; A61F2002/30138; A61F2002/30148; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30329; A61F2002/30476; A61F2002/30495; A61F2002/30621; A61F2002/30649; A61F2002/30662; A61F2002/30663; A61F2/30767; A61F2/30771; A61F2002/30772; A61F2002/30841; A61F2002/30878; A61F2002/30884; A61F2002/30899; A61F2002/30902; A61F2002/3208; A61F2002/3233; A61F2/34; A61F2002/3429; A61F2002/345; A61F2002/348; A61F2002/3493; A61F2/36; A61F2/3609; A61F2002/3625; A61F2002/3631; A61F2/4014; A61F2002/4018; A61F2002/4022; A61F2002/4085; A61F2/46; A61F2002/4631; A61F2220/00; A61F2220/0025; A61F2230/00; A61F2230/0002; A61F2230/0017; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/32; Y10T403/32008; Y10T403/32032
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
187 words
An improved prosthetic joint comprising: a. floating bearing means having portions defining a first floating bearing surface which has a cross section conforming to a first circular arc; b. the floating bearing means having portions defining a second floating bearing surface which has a cross section conforming to a second circular arc; c. a first member having portions defining a first anchor means for being secured to a first bone; d. the first member having portions defining a first bearing means for rotatably engaging the first bearing surface of the floating bearing means, thereby permitting relative motion of the first member and the floating bearing means about a first center of rotation; e. a second member having portions defining a second anchor means for being secured to a second bone; f. the second member having portions defining a second bearing means for rotatably engaging the second bearing surface of the floating bearing means, thereby permitting relative motion of the second member and the floating bearing means about a second center of rotation; g. wherein the first center of rotation is offset from the second center of rotation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
187 words
An improved prosthetic joint comprising: a. floating bearing means having portions defining a first floating bearing surface which has a cross section conforming to a first circular arc; b. the floating bearing means having portions defining a second floating bearing surface which has a cross section conforming to a second circular arc; c. a first member having portions defining a first anchor means for being secured to a first bone; d. the first member having portions defining a first bearing means for rotatably engaging the first bearing surface of the floating bearing means, thereby permitting relative motion of the first member and the floating bearing means about a first center of rotation; e. a second member having portions defining a second anchor means for being secured to a second bone; f. the second member having portions defining a second bearing means for rotatably engaging the second bearing surface of the floating bearing means, thereby permitting relative motion of the second member and the floating bearing means about a second center of rotation; g. wherein the first center of rotation is offset from the second center of rotation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
An improved prosthetic joint as recited in claim 1, in which the first center of rotation is offset in the direction of the first member from the second center of rotation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
An improved prosthetic joint as recited in claim 1, in which the floating bearing means comprises: a. flange means for limiting relative motion between the first member and the floating bearing means and for limiting relative motion between the second member and the floating bearing means; and b. the flange means for providing increased strength to the improved prosthetic joint.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
195 words
An improved prosthetic joint comprising: a. floating bearing means having portions defining a floating convex bearing surface which conforms to a portion of a first sphere; b. the floating bearing means having portions defining a floating concave bearing surface which conforms to a portion of a second sphere; c. a first member having portions defining a first anchor means for being secured to a first bone; d. the first member having portions defining a concave bearing surface complementary to the floating convex bearing surface, the concave bearing surface rotatably engaging the floating convex bearing surface, thereby permitting relative motion of the first member and the floating bearing means about a first center of rotation; e. a second member having portions defining a second anchor means for being secured to a second bone; f. the second member having portions defining a convex bearing surface complementary to the floating concave bearing surface, the convex bearing surface rotatably engaging the floating concave bearing surface, thereby permitting relative motion of the second member and the floating bearing means about a second center of rotation; g. wherein the first center of rotation is offset from the second center of rotation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
195 words
An improved prosthetic joint comprising: a. floating bearing means having portions defining a floating convex bearing surface which conforms to a portion of a first sphere; b. the floating bearing means having portions defining a floating concave bearing surface which conforms to a portion of a second sphere; c. a first member having portions defining a first anchor means for being secured to a first bone; d. the first member having portions defining a concave bearing surface complementary to the floating convex bearing surface, the concave bearing surface rotatably engaging the floating convex bearing surface, thereby permitting relative motion of the first member and the floating bearing means about a first center of rotation; e. a second member having portions defining a second anchor means for being secured to a second bone; f. the second member having portions defining a convex bearing surface complementary to the floating concave bearing surface, the convex bearing surface rotatably engaging the floating concave bearing surface, thereby permitting relative motion of the second member and the floating bearing means about a second center of rotation; g. wherein the first center of rotation is offset from the second center of rotation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
An improved prosthetic joint as recited in claim 4, in which the first center of rotation is offset in the direction of the first member from the second center of rotation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
61 words
An improved prosthetic joint as recited in claim 5, in which the floating bearing means comprises: a. first flange means for engaging the first member to limit rotation of the floating bearing means relative to the first member; and b. second flange means for engaging the second member to limit rotation of the floating bearing means relative to the second member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
131 words
An improved prosthetic joint as recited in claim 6, in which the floating bearing means comprises: a. a first floating ball segment including portions constituting a part of the floating convex bearing surface, portions constituting a part of the floating concave bearing surface, and portions defining an interior cylindrical surface having a diameter greater than the diameter of the second sphere; b. a second floating ball segment including portions constituting a part of the floating convex bearing surface, portions constituting a part of the floating concave bearing surface, and portions defining an exterior cylindrical surface complementary to the interior cylindrical surface of the first floating ball segment, whereby the floating bearing means can be disassembled to remove, and reassembled to receive and retain, the convex bearinG surface of the second member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
164 words
An improved prosthetic joint as recited in claim 7, wherein the first member comprises: a. a first fixture component, including the first anchor means for being secured to the first bone; b. the first fixture component having portions constituting a part of the concave bearing surface of the first member; c. the first fixture component having portions defining a first cylindrical surface with a first annular groove; d. a retention component having portions constituting a part of the concave bearing surface of the first member; e. the retention component having portions defining a second cylindrical surface complementary to the first cylindrical surface of the first fixture component, and a second annular groove; f. first retaining ring means engaging the first annular groove of the fixture component and the second annular groove of the retention component for demountably securing the rim component to the first fixture component, thereby permitting the first member to be disassembled to receive, and reassembled to retain, the floating bearing means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
An improved prosthetic joint as recited in claim 8, in which the first retaining ring means are frangible retaining ring means for diassembly of the retention component from the fixture component to permit removal of the floating bearing means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
159 words
An improved prosthetic joint as recited in claim 9, in which the second member comprises: a. a second fixture component, including the second anchor means for being secured to the second bone; b. a stem rigidly attached to the second fixture component and having portions defining a second exterior cylindrical surface, a third annular groove, and a first keyway; c. a ball having portions constituting the convex bearing surface of the second member; d. the ball including portions defining a second interior cylindrical surface complementary to the second exterior cylindrical surface of the stem, a fourth annular groove, and a second keyway; e. second retaining ring means engaging the third annular groove of the stem and the fourth annular groove of the ball for demountably securing the ball to the stem; and f. keying means for engaging the first keyway of the stem and the second keyway of the ball to prevent rotation of the ball on the stem.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
An improved prosthetic joint as recited in claim 10, in which the second retaining ring means are frangible retaining ring means for disassembly of the ball from the stem.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
199 words
An improved prosthetic joint comprising: a. floating bearing means having portions defining a floating convex bearing surface which conforms to a portion of a first right circular cylinder; b. the floating bearing means having portions defining a floating concave bearing surface which conforms to a portion of a second right circular cylinder; c. a first member having portions defining a first anchor means for being secured to a first bone; d. the first member having portions defining a concave bearing surface complementary to the floating convex bearing surface, the concave bearing surface rotatably engaging the floating convex bearing surface, thereby permitting relative motion of the first member and the floating bearing means about a first axis of rotation; e. a second member having portions defining a second anchor means for being secured to a second bone; f. the second member having portions defining a convex bearing surface complementary to the floating concave bearing surface, the convex bearing surface rotatably engaging the floating concave bearing surface, thereby permitting relative motion of the second member and the floating bearing means about a second axis of rotation; g. wherein the first axis of rotation is offset from the second axis of rotation.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
199 words
An improved prosthetic joint comprising: a. floating bearing means having portions defining a floating convex bearing surface which conforms to a portion of a first right circular cylinder; b. the floating bearing means having portions defining a floating concave bearing surface which conforms to a portion of a second right circular cylinder; c. a first member having portions defining a first anchor means for being secured to a first bone; d. the first member having portions defining a concave bearing surface complementary to the floating convex bearing surface, the concave bearing surface rotatably engaging the floating convex bearing surface, thereby permitting relative motion of the first member and the floating bearing means about a first axis of rotation; e. a second member having portions defining a second anchor means for being secured to a second bone; f. the second member having portions defining a convex bearing surface complementary to the floating concave bearing surface, the convex bearing surface rotatably engaging the floating concave bearing surface, thereby permitting relative motion of the second member and the floating bearing means about a second axis of rotation; g. wherein the first axis of rotation is offset from the second axis of rotation.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
An improved prosthetic joint as recited in claim 12, in which the first axis of rotation is offset in the direction of the first member from the second axiS of rotation.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
61 words
An improved prosthetic joint as recited in claim 13, in which the floating bearing means comprises: a. first flange means for engaging the first member to limit rotation of the floating bearing means relative to the first member; and b. second flange means for engaging the second member to limit rotation of the floating bearing means relative to the second member.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
199 words
An improved prosthetic joint comprising: a. floating bearing means having portions defining a floating convex bearing surface which conforms to a portion of a first right circular cone; b. the floating bearing means having portions defining a floating concave bearing surface which conforms to a portion of a second right circular cone; c. a first member having portions defining a first anchor means for being secured to a first bone; d. the first member having portions defining a concave bearing surface complementary to the floating convex bearing surface, the concave bearing surface rotatably engaging the floating convex bearing surface, thereby permitting relative motion of the first member and the floating bearing means about a first axis of rotation; e. a second member having portions defining a second anchor means for being secured to a second bone; f. the second member having portions defining a convex bearing surface complementary to the floating concave bearing surface, the convex bearing surface rotatably engaging the floating concave bearing surface, thereby permitting relative motion of the second member and the floating bearing means about a second axis of rotation; g. wherein the first axis of rotation is offset from the second axis of rotation.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
199 words
An improved prosthetic joint comprising: a. floating bearing means having portions defining a floating convex bearing surface which conforms to a portion of a first right circular cone; b. the floating bearing means having portions defining a floating concave bearing surface which conforms to a portion of a second right circular cone; c. a first member having portions defining a first anchor means for being secured to a first bone; d. the first member having portions defining a concave bearing surface complementary to the floating convex bearing surface, the concave bearing surface rotatably engaging the floating convex bearing surface, thereby permitting relative motion of the first member and the floating bearing means about a first axis of rotation; e. a second member having portions defining a second anchor means for being secured to a second bone; f. the second member having portions defining a convex bearing surface complementary to the floating concave bearing surface, the convex bearing surface rotatably engaging the floating concave bearing surface, thereby permitting relative motion of the second member and the floating bearing means about a second axis of rotation; g. wherein the first axis of rotation is offset from the second axis of rotation.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
An improved prosthetic joint as recited in claim 15, in which the first axis of rotation is offset in the direction of the first member from the second axis of rotation.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
61 words
An improved prosthetic joint as recited in claim 16, in which the floating bearing means comprises: a. first flange means for engaging the first member to limit rotation of the floating bearing means relative to the first member; and b. second flange means for engaging the second member to limit rotation of the floating bearing means relative to the second member.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-11-03 | 1979-05-05 | 1979-11-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-03 | 1983-05-05 | 1983-11-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-03 | 1987-05-05 | 1987-11-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |