Patellar implant and method

Claim 2

A surgically implantable prosthesis for replacing the underlying cartilage on the posterior surface of the patella, the posterior surface of the patella having a recess provided therein, said prosthesis comprising: a body of flexible inert material, said body having a first compound articular surface corresponding generally to that of the posterior surface of a normal patella for gliding engagement with the femoral condyles; a second surface of said body opposite saaid first surface being adapted for positioning in the recess formed in the posterior surface of the patella; and means for securing said body in the recess.

Claim 3

A surgically implantable prosthesis for replacing the underlying cartilage on the posterior surface of the patella, the posterior surface of the patella having a recess provided therein, said prosthesis comprising: a body of flexible inert material, said body having a first surface forming a compound articular surface for gliding engagement with the femoral condyles; a second surface of said body opposite said first surface being adapted for positioning in the recess formed in the posterior surface of the patella; and means for securing said body in the recess, said securing means including said second surface having a layer of inert fabric secured thereon, said fabric adapted to form an interface between said body and a bottom wall of the recess; and suture means in and extending from said fabric, the patella having openings formed therethrough from the bottom wall of said recess to the anterior surface thereof to receive said suture means to secure said body in said recess to thereby position said first surface to form a prosthetic posterior surface on the patella.

Claim 4

A surgically implantable prosthesis for replacing the underlying cartilage on the posterior surface of the patella, the posterior surface of the patella having a recess provided therein, said prosthesis comprising: a body of flexible inert material, said body having a first surface forming a compound articular surface for gliding engagement with the femoral condyles; a second surface of said body opposite said first surface being adapted for positioning in the recess formed in the posterior surface of the patella; and means for securing said body in the recess, said securing means including said second surface having a layer of inert fabric secured thereon, said fabric adapted to form an interface between said body and a bottom wall of the recess; and suture means in and extending from said fabric, the patella having openings formed therethrough from the bottom wall of said recess to the anterior surface thereof to receive said suture means to secure said body in said recess to thereby position said first surface to form a prosthetic posterior surface on the patella.

Claim 5

The prosthesis of claim 2 wherein said securing means further includes a layer of acrylic cement on said fabric layer and adapted to contact the bottom wall of the recess.

Claim 6

The prosthesis of claim 2 wherein said fabric layer is Dacron velour.

Claim 7

The prosthesis of claim 4 wherein said fabric layer is Dacron velour.

Claim 8

The prosthesis of claim 3 wherein said acrylic cement is methyl methacrylate.

Claim 9

A surgically implantable prosthesis for replacing the underlying cartilage on the posterior surface of the patella, the posterior surface of the patella having a recess provided therein, said prosthesis comprising: a body of flexible inert material, said body having a first surface forming a compound articular surface for gliding engagement with the femoral condyles, a vertical ridge dividing said compound articular surface into an outer larger portion for gliding engagement with the external condyle and an inner smaller portion for gliding engagement with the internal condyle, said outer and inner portions corresponding generally in configuration to the external and internal facets respectively of the patella in which the prosthesis is implanted; a second surface of said body opposite said first surface being adapted for positioning in the recess formed in the posterior surface of the patella; and means for securing said body in the recess.

Claim 10

A surgically implantable prosthesis for replacing the underlying cartilage on the posterior surface of the patella, the posterior surface of the patella having a recess provided therein, said prosthesis comprising: a body of flexible inert material, said body having a first surface forming a compound articular surface for gliding engagement with the femoral condyles, a vertical ridge dividing said compound articular surface into an outer larger portion for gliding engagement with the external condyle and an inner smaller portion for gliding engagement with the internal condyle, said outer and inner portions corresponding generally in configuration to the external and internal facets respectively of the patella in which the prosthesis is implanted; a second surface of said body opposite said first surface being adapted for positioning in the recess formed in the posterior surface of the patella; and means for securing said body in the recess.

Claim 11

The prosthesis of claim 7 wherein the recess formed in the posterior surface of the patella is generally symmetrical in configuration, said second surface of said body being generally symmetrical for mating engagement with the recess and wherein said body can be positioned in said recess to accommodate the condyles of either the left or right femur.

Claim 14

The method of rebuildiNg the patella as defined in claim 9 wherein said body of flexible material is provided with suture means extending from said opposite surface, and wherein said securing step includes placing a layer of adhesive between said opposite surface and said recess and suturing said body to said patella.

Claim 15

The method of rebuilding the patella as defined in claim 10 wherein said step of forming a recess in said posterior surface includes the further step of forming at least two openings through aid patella from the bottom wall of said recess to the anterior surface thereof to receive said suturing means.

Claim 16

The method of rebuilding the patella as defined in claim 11 and further including the step of tying said suturing means at the anterior surface of the patella.