New Jersey meniscal bearing knee replacement

Claim 2

An improved prosthetic joint of the type including: (a) tibial platform means having a first superior bearing surface, the tibial platform means for replacing tibial portions of a knee; (b) bearing insert means having a first inferior bearing surface which slidably engages the first superior bearing surface of the tibial platform means for sliding movement relative thereto during joint articulation, the bearing insert means for providing an articulated joint between the tibial platform means and femoral portions of the knee; wherein the improvement comprises: (c) means for constraining motion of the bearing insert means during joint articulation to a predetermined path relative to the tibial platform means.

Claim 3

An improved prosthetic joint as recited in claim 1 wherein the means for constraining motion of the bearing insert means during joint articulation to a predetermined path relative to the tibial platform means comprises: track surface means provided on one of the tibial platform means or the bearing insert means and track surface following means provided on the other of the tibial platform means or the bearing insert means, the track surface following means engaging the track surface means.

Claim 4

An improved prosthetic joint as recited in claim 2, wherein the track surface means comprises curved track surface means.

Claim 5

An improved prosthetic joint as recited in claim 3 wherein the curved track surface means comprises circular curved track surface means.

Claim 6

An improved prosthetic joint as recited in claim 1, further comprising retention means, the retention means for preventing dislocation of the bearing insert means from the tibial platform means during the normal range of knee motion.

Claim 7

An improved prosthetic joint as recited in claim 5 wherein the retention means comprises: (a) portions of one of the bearing insert means or the tibial platform means defining a dovetail projection; and, (b) portions of the other of the bearing insert means or the tibial platform means defining track means having a complementary dovetail cross-section within which the dovetail projection is slidably retained.

Claim 8

An improved prosthetic joint of the type including: (a) tibial platform means having a first superior bearing surface, the tibial platform means for replacing tibial portions of a knee; (b) bearing insert means having a first inferior bearing surface which slidably engages the first superior bearing surface of the tibial platform means for sliding movement relative thereto during joint articulation, the bearing insert means having a second superior bearing surface, the bearing insert means for providing an articulated joint between the tibial platform means and a femoral component means, and, (c) femoral component means having a second inferior bearing surface which slidably engages the second superior bearing surface of the bearing insert means, the femoral component means for replacing femoral portions of the knee; wherein the improvement comprises: (d) means for constraining motion of the bearing insert means during joint articulation to a predetermined path relative to the tibial platform means.

Claim 9

An improved prosthetic joint of the type including: (a) tibial platform means having a first superior bearing surface, the tibial platform means for replacing tibial portions of a knee; (b) bearing insert means having a first inferior bearing surface which slidably engages the first superior bearing surface of the tibial platform means for sliding movement relative thereto during joint articulation, the bearing insert means having a second superior bearing surface, the bearing insert means for providing an articulated joint between the tibial platform means and a femoral component means, and, (c) femoral component means having a second inferior bearing surface which slidably engages the second superior bearing surface of the bearing insert means, the femoral component means for replacing femoral portions of the knee; wherein the improvement comprises: (d) means for constraining motion of the bearing insert means during joint articulation to a predetermined path relative to the tibial platform means.

Claim 10

An improved prosthetic joint as recited in claim 7 wherein the means for constraining motion of the bearing insert means during joint articulation to a predetermined path relative to the tibial platform means comprises: track surface means provided on one of the tibial platform means or the bearing insert means and track surface following means provided on the other of the tibial platform means or the bearing insert means, the track surface following means engaging the track surface means.

Claim 11

An improved prosthetic joint as recited in claim 8, wherein the track surface means comprises curved track surface means.

Claim 12

An improved prosthetic joint as recited in claim 9, wherein the curved track surface means comprises circular curved track surface means.

Claim 13

An improved prosthetic joint as recited in claim 7, wherein: (a) the second inferior bearing surface of the first femoral component means is slightly incongruent with the second superior bearing surface of the bearing insert means; (b) thereby accommodating anterior-posterior shift of the first bearing insert means relative to the first tibial platform means, and thereby facilitating flexion and rotation of the prosthetic joint.

Claim 14

An improved prosthetic joint of the type including: (a) tibial platform means having a first superior bearing surface, the tibial platform means for replacing tibial portions of a first condylar articulation of a knee; (b) bearing insert means having a first inferior bearing surface which slidably engages the first superior bearing surface of the tibial platform means for sliding movement relative thereto during joint articulation, the bearing insert means having a second superior bearing surface, the bearing insert means for providing an articulated joint replacing the first condylar articulation of the knee; (c) femoral component means having a second inferior bearing surface which slidably engages the second superior bearing surface of the bearing insert means, the femoral component means for replacing femoral portions of the first condylar articulation of the knee; and, (d) wherein the knee includes a second condylar articulation including a third, substantially spherical concave, superior bearing surface, which slidably engages a third, substantially spherical convex, inferior bearing surface; (e) wherein the third, substantially spherical concave, superior bearing surface defines a first center of curvature; wherein the improvement comprises: (f) means for constraining motion of the bearing insert means during joint articulation to a predetermined circular path relative to the tibial platform means; (g) wherein the circular path lies within a first plane and has a second center of curvature, thereby defining a first axis perpendicular to the first plane and passing through the second center of curvature; and, (h) wherein the first axis passes substantially through the first center of curvature of the third, substantially spherical concave, superior bearing surface of the second condylar articulation.

Claim 15

An improved prosthetic joint of the type including: (a) tibial platform means having a first superior bearing surface, the tibial platform means for replacing tibial portions of a first condylar articulation of a knee; (b) bearing insert means having a first inferior bearing surface which slidably engages the first superior bearing surface of the tibial platform means for sliding movement relative thereto during joint articulation, the bearing insert means having a second superior bearing surface, the bearing insert means for providing an articulated joint replacing the first condylar articulation of the knee; (c) femoral component means having a second inferior bearing surface which slidably engages the second superior bearing surface of the bearing insert means, the femoral component means for replacing femoral portions of the first condylar articulation of the knee; and, (d) wherein the knee includes a second condylar articulation including a third, substantially spherical concave, superior bearing surface, which slidably engages a third, substantially spherical convex, inferior bearing surface; (e) wherein the third, substantially spherical concave, superior bearing surface defines a first center of curvature; wherein the improvement comprises: (f) means for constraining motion of the bearing insert means during joint articulation to a predetermined circular path relative to the tibial platform means; (g) wherein the circular path lies within a first plane and has a second center of curvature, thereby defining a first axis perpendicular to the first plane and passing through the second center of curvature; and, (h) wherein the first axis passes substantially through the first center of curvature of the third, substantially spherical concave, superior bearing surface of the second condylar articulation.

Claim 16

An improved prosthetic joint as recited in claim 12 wherein the means for constraining motion of the bearing insert means during joint articulation to a predetermined circular path relative to the tibial platform means comprises circular track surface means provided on one of the tibial platform means or the bearing insert means and track surface following means provided on the other of the tibial platform means or the bearing insert means, the track surface following means engaging the track surface means.

Claim 17

An improved prosthetic joint of the type including: (a) first tibial platform means having a first superior bearing surface, the first tibial platform means for replacing tibial portions of a first condylar articulation of a knee; (b) second tibial platform means having a second superior bearing surface, the second tibial platform means for replacing tibial portions of a second condylar articulation of the knee; (c) first bearing insert means having a first inferior bearing surface which slidably engages the first superior bearing surface of the first tibial platform means for sliding movement relative thereto during joint articulation, the first bearing insert means having a third superior bearing surface, the first bearing insert means for providing a first articulated joint replacing the first condylar articulation of the knee; (d) second bearing insert means having a second inferior bearing surface which slidably engages the second superior bearing surface of the second tibial platform means for sliding movement relative thereto during joint articulation, the second bearing insert means having a fourth superior bearing surface, the second bearing insert means for providing a second articulated joint replacing the second condylar articulation of the knee; (e) first femoral component means having a third inferior bearing surface which slidably engages the third superior bearing surface of the first bearing insert means, the first femoral component means for replacing femoral portions of the first condylar articulation of the knee; and, (f) second femoral component means having a fourth inferior bearing surface which slidably engages the fourth superior bearing surface of the second bearing insert means, the second femoral component means for replacing femoral portions of the second condylar articulation of the knee; wherein the improvement comprises: (g) first means for constraining motion of the first bearing insert means during joint articulation to a first predetermined path relative to the first tibial platform means; and, (h) second means for constraining motion of the second bearing insert means during joint articulation to a second predetermined path relative to the second tibial platform means.

Claim 18

An improved prosthetic joint of the type including: (a) first tibial platform means having a first superior bearing surface, the first tibial platform means for replacing tibial portions of a first condylar articulation of a knee; (b) second tibial platform means having a second superior bearing surface, the second tibial platform means for replacing tibial portions of a second condylar articulation of the knee; (c) first bearing insert means having a first inferior bearing surface which slidably engages the first superior bearing surface of the first tibial platform means for sliding movement relative thereto during joint articulation, the first bearing insert means having a third superior bearing surface, the first bearing insert means for providing a first articulated joint replacing the first condylar articulation of the knee; (d) second bearing insert means having a second inferior bearing surface which slidably engages the second superior bearing surface of the second tibial platform means for sliding movement relative thereto during joint articulation, the second bearing insert means having a fourth superior bearing surface, the second bearing insert means for providing a second articulated joint replacing the second condylar articulation of the knee; (e) first femoral component means having a third inferior bearing surface which slidably engages the third superior bearing surface of the first bearing insert means, the first femoral component means for replacing femoral portions of the first condylar articulation of the knee; and, (f) second femoral component means having a fourth inferior bearing surface which slidably engages the fourth superior bearing surface of the second bearing insert means, the second femoral component means for replacing femoral portions of the second condylar articulation of the knee; wherein the improvement comprises: (g) first means for constraining motion of the first bearing insert means during joint articulation to a first predetermined path relative to the first tibial platform means; and, (h) second means for constraining motion of the second bearing insert means during joint articulation to a second predetermined path relative to the second tibial platform means.

Claim 19

An improved prosthetic joint as recited in claim 14 wherein the first means recited in (g) for constraining motion of the first bearing insert means during joint articulation to a first predetermined path relative to the first tibial platform means comprises: first track surface means provided on one of the first tibial platform means or the first bearing insert means and first track surface following means provided on the other of the first tibial platform means or the first bearing insert means, the first track surface following means engaging the first track surface means; and wherein the second means recited in (h) for constraining motion of the second bearing insert means during joint articulation to a second predetermined path relative to the second tibial platform means comprises: second track surface means provided on one of the second tibial platform means or the second bearing insert means and second track surface following means provided on the other of the second tibial platform means or the second bearing insert means, the second track surface following means engaging the second track surface means.

Claim 20

An improved prosthetic joint as recited in claim 15, wherein: (a) the first track surface means comprises first curved track surface means; and, (b) the second track surface means comprises second curved track surface means.

Claim 21

An improved prosthetic joint as recited in claim 16, wherein: (a) the first track surface means comprises a first circular curved track surface means; and, (b) the second track surface means comprises second circular curved track surface means.

Claim 22

An improved prosthetic joint as recited in claim 14, further comprising bridge means connecting the first tibial platform means and the second tibial platform means, the bridge means for improving accuracy of placement of the first tibial platform means relative to the second tibial platform means, the bridge means also for sharing mechanical loads between the first tibial platform means and the second tibial platform means.

Claim 23

An improved prosthetic joint of the type including: (a) platform means having a first bearing surface, the platform means for being secured to a first bone of an anatomical joint; (b) bearing insert means having a second bearing surface which slidably engages the first bearing surface of the platform means for sliding movement relative thereto, during joint articulation, the bearing insert means for providing an articulated joint between the platform means and portions of the anatomical joint associated with a second bone; wherein the improvement comprises: (c) means for constraining motion of the bearing insert means during joint articulation to a predetermined path relative to the platform means.

Claim 24

An improved prosthetic joint of the type including: (a) platform means having a first bearing surface, the platform means for being secured to a first bone of an anatomical joint; (b) bearing insert means having a second bearing surface which slidably engages the first bearing surface of the platform means for sliding movement relative thereto, during joint articulation, the bearing insert means for providing an articulated joint between the platform means and portions of the anatomical joint associated with a second bone; wherein the improvement comprises: (c) means for constraining motion of the bearing insert means during joint articulation to a predetermined path relative to the platform means.

Claim 25

An improved prosthetic joint as recited in claim 19 wherein the means for constraining motion of the bearing insert means during joint articulation to a predetermined path relative to the platform means comprises: track surface means provided on one of the platform means or the bearing insert means and track surface following means provided on the other of the platform means or the bearing insert means, the track surface following means slidably engaging the track surface means.

Claim 26

An improved prosthetic joint as recited in claim 20, wherein the track surface means comprises curved track surface means.

Claim 27

An improved prosthetic joint as recited in claim 21 wherein the curved track surface means comprises circular curved track surface means.

Claim 28

An improved prosthetic joint of the type including: (a) platform means having a first bearing surface, the platform means for being secured to a first bone of an anatomical joint; (b) bearing insert means having a second bearing surface which slidably engages the first bearing surface of the platform means for sliding movement relative thereto during joint articulation, the bearing insert means having a third bearing surface, the bearing insert means for providing an articulated joint between the platform means and a second bone component means; and, (c) a second bone component means having a fourth bearing surface which slidably engages the third bearing surface of the bearing insert means, the second bone component means for being secured to a second bone of the anatomical joint; wherein the improvement comprises: (d) means for constraining motion of the bearing insert means during joint articulation to a predetermined path relative to the platform means.

Claim 29

An improved prosthetic joint of the type including: (a) platform means having a first bearing surface, the platform means for being secured to a first bone of an anatomical joint; (b) bearing insert means having a second bearing surface which slidably engages the first bearing surface of the platform means for sliding movement relative thereto during joint articulation, the bearing insert means having a third bearing surface, the bearing insert means for providing an articulated joint between the platform means and a second bone component means; and, (c) a second bone component means having a fourth bearing surface which slidably engages the third bearing surface of the bearing insert means, the second bone component means for being secured to a second bone of the anatomical joint; wherein the improvement comprises: (d) means for constraining motion of the bearing insert means during joint articulation to a predetermined path relative to the platform means.

Claim 30

An improved prosthetic joint as recited in claim 23 wherein the means for constraining motion of the bearing insert means during joint articulation to a predetermined path relative to the platform means comprises: track surface means provided on one of the platform means or the bearing insert means and track surface following means provided on the other of the platform means or the bearing insert means, the track surface following means slidably engaging the track surface means.

Claim 31

An improved prosthetic joint as recited in claim 24, wherein the track surface means comprises curved track surface means.

Claim 32

An improved prosthetic joint as recited in claim 25, wherein the curved track surface means comprises circular curved track surface means.

Claim 33

An improved prosthetic joint as recited in claim 23, further comprising retention means, the retention means for preventing dislocation of the bearing insert means from the platform means during the normal range of joint motion.

Claim 34

An improved prosthetic joint as recited in claim 27 wherein the retention means comprises: (a) portions of one of the bearing insert means or the platform means defining a dovetail projection; and, (b) portions of the other of the bearing insert means or the platform means defining track means having a complementary dovetail cross-section within which the dovetail projection is slidably retained.

Claim 35

An improved prosthetic joint as recited in claim 23, wherein: (a) the fourth bearing surface of the second bone component means is slightly incongruent with the third bearing surface of the bearing insert means; (b) thereby accommodating motion of the bearing insert means relative to the platform means, and thereby facilitating flexion and rotation of the prosthetic joint.

Claim 36

An improved prosthetic joint of the type including: (a) platform means having a first bearing surface, the platform means for being secured to a first bone of an anatomical joint; (b) bearing insert means having a second bearing surface which slidably engages the first bearing surface of the platform means for sliding movement relative thereto during joint articulation, the bearing insert means having a third bearing surface, the bearing insert means for providing a first articulated joint between the platform means and a second bone component means; (c) second bone component means having a fourth bearing surface which slidably engages the third bearing surface of the bearing insert means, the second bone component means for being secured to a second bone of the anatomical joint; (d) wherein the anatomical joint includes a second articulated joint including a fifth, substantially spherical concave bearing surface, which slidably engages a sixth, substantially spherical convex, bearing surface; (e) wherein the fifth, substantially spherical concave, bearing surface defines a first center of curvature; wherein the improvement comprises: (f) means for constraining motion of the bearing insert means during joint articulation to a predetermined circular path relative to the platform means; (g) wherein the circular path lies within a first plane and has a second center of curvature, thereby defining a first axis perpendicular to the first plane and passing through the second center of curvature; and, (h) wherein the first axis passes substantially through a point near the first center of curvature of the fifth, substantially spherical concave, bearing surface of the second articulated joint.

Claim 37

An improved prosthetic joint of the type including: (a) platform means having a first bearing surface, the platform means for being secured to a first bone of an anatomical joint; (b) bearing insert means having a second bearing surface which slidably engages the first bearing surface of the platform means for sliding movement relative thereto during joint articulation, the bearing insert means having a third bearing surface, the bearing insert means for providing a first articulated joint between the platform means and a second bone component means; (c) second bone component means having a fourth bearing surface which slidably engages the third bearing surface of the bearing insert means, the second bone component means for being secured to a second bone of the anatomical joint; (d) wherein the anatomical joint includes a second articulated joint including a fifth, substantially spherical concave bearing surface, which slidably engages a sixth, substantially spherical convex, bearing surface; (e) wherein the fifth, substantially spherical concave, bearing surface defines a first center of curvature; wherein the improvement comprises: (f) means for constraining motion of the bearing insert means during joint articulation to a predetermined circular path relative to the platform means; (g) wherein the circular path lies within a first plane and has a second center of curvature, thereby defining a first axis perpendicular to the first plane and passing through the second center of curvature; and, (h) wherein the first axis passes substantially through a point near the first center of curvature of the fifth, substantially spherical concave, bearing surface of the second articulated joint.

Claim 38

An improved prosthetic joint as recited in claim 30 wherein the means for constraining motion of the bearing insert means during joint articulation to a predetermined circular path relative to the platform means comprises circular track surface means provided on one of the platform means or the bearing insert means and track surface following means provided on the other of the platform means or the bearing insert means, the track surface following means slidably engaging the track surface means.

Claim 39

An improved prosthetic joint of the type including: (a) first platform means having a first bearing surface, the first platform means for being secured to a first bone of an anatomical joint; p1 (b) second platform means having a second bearing surface, the second platform means for being also secured to the first bone of the anatomical joint; (c) first bearing insert means having a third bearing surface which slidably engages the first bearing surface of the first platform means for sliding movement relative thereto during joint articulation, the first bearing insert means having a fourth bearing surface, the first bearing insert means for providing a first articulated joint between the first platform means and a first component means; (d) second bearing insert means having a fifth bearing surface which slidably engages the second bearing surface of the second platform means for sliding movement relative thereto during joint articulation, the second bearing insert means having a sixth bearing surface, the second bearing insert means for providing a second articulated joint between the second platform means and a second component means; (e) first component means having a seventh bearing surface which slidably engages the fourth bearing surface of the first bearing insert means, the first component means for being secured to a second bone of the anatomical joint; (f) second component means having an eighth bearing surface which slidably engages the sixth bearing surface of the second bearing insert means, the second component means for being also secured to the second bone of the anatomical joint; ps wherein the improvement comprises: (g) first means for constraining motion of the first bearing insert means during joint articulation to a first predetermined path relative to the first platform means; and, (h) second means for constraining motion of the second bearing insert means during joint articulation to a second predetermined path relative to the second platform means.

Claim 40

An improved prosthetic joint of the type including: (a) first platform means having a first bearing surface, the first platform means for being secured to a first bone of an anatomical joint; p1 (b) second platform means having a second bearing surface, the second platform means for being also secured to the first bone of the anatomical joint; (c) first bearing insert means having a third bearing surface which slidably engages the first bearing surface of the first platform means for sliding movement relative thereto during joint articulation, the first bearing insert means having a fourth bearing surface, the first bearing insert means for providing a first articulated joint between the first platform means and a first component means; (d) second bearing insert means having a fifth bearing surface which slidably engages the second bearing surface of the second platform means for sliding movement relative thereto during joint articulation, the second bearing insert means having a sixth bearing surface, the second bearing insert means for providing a second articulated joint between the second platform means and a second component means; (e) first component means having a seventh bearing surface which slidably engages the fourth bearing surface of the first bearing insert means, the first component means for being secured to a second bone of the anatomical joint; (f) second component means having an eighth bearing surface which slidably engages the sixth bearing surface of the second bearing insert means, the second component means for being also secured to the second bone of the anatomical joint; ps wherein the improvement comprises: (g) first means for constraining motion of the first bearing insert means during joint articulation to a first predetermined path relative to the first platform means; and, (h) second means for constraining motion of the second bearing insert means during joint articulation to a second predetermined path relative to the second platform means.

Claim 41

An improved prosthetic joint as recited in claim 32 wherein the first means recited in (g) for constraining motion of the first bearing insert means during joint articulation to a first predetermined path relative to the first platform means comprises: first track surface means provided on one of the first platform means or the first bearing insert means and first track surface following means provided on the other of the first platform means or the first bearing insert means, the first track surface following means slidably engaging the first track surface means; and wherein the second means recited in (h) for constraining motion of the second bearing insert means during joint articulation to a second predetermined path relative to the second platform means comprises: second track surface means provided on one of the second platform means or the second bearing insert means and second track surface following means provided on the other of the second platform means or the second bearing insert means, the second track surface following means slidably engaging the second track surface means.

Claim 42

An improved prosthetic joint as recited in claim 33, wherein: (a) the first track surface means comprises first curved track surface means; and, (b) the second track surface means comprises second curved track surface means.

Claim 43

An improved prosthetic joint as recited in claim 34, wherein: (a) the first track surface means comprises a first circular curved track surface means; and, (b) the second track surface means comprises second circular curved track surface means.

Claim 44

An improved prosthetic joint as recited in claim 32, further comprising bridge means connecting the first platform means and the second platform means, the bridge means for improving accuracy of placement of the first platform means relative to the second platform means, for sharing force loads between the first platform means and the second platform means.

Claim 45

An improved prosthetic joint for implantation between a first bone and a second bone, comprising: first means for being implanted in said first bone and having a first bearing surface; second means for being implanted in said second bone and having a second bearing surface for being positioned opposite said first bearing surface; and third means for being positioned intermediate and for engaging said bearing surfaces to provide joint articulation between said bones and for permitting unrestricted motion in a first predetermined direction within limits permitted by soft tissue, and unrestricted motion axially of said bones within limits provided by soft tissue; and fourth means for constraining motion of said third means during joint articulation to a predetermined path relative to said second means to provide stability in a second predetermined direction.

Claim 46

An improved prosthetic joint for implantation between a first bone and a second bone, comprising: first means for being implanted in said first bone and having a first bearing surface; second means for being implanted in said second bone and having a second bearing surface for being positioned opposite said first bearing surface; and third means for being positioned intermediate and for engaging said bearing surfaces to provide joint articulation between said bones and for permitting unrestricted motion in a first predetermined direction within limits permitted by soft tissue, and unrestricted motion axially of said bones within limits provided by soft tissue; and fourth means for constraining motion of said third means during joint articulation to a predetermined path relative to said second means to provide stability in a second predetermined direction.

Claim 47

An improved prosthetic joint according to claims 19, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28 wherein the anatomical joint is an ankle, the first bone is a talus, and the second bone is a tibia.

Claim 48

An improved prosthetic knee joint comprising first and second components, one surface of the first component being adapted for securement to the tibia, one surface of the second component defining a generally concave bearing surface for mutual articulatory engagement with a femoral condylar surface, the other surface of each component providing a substantially planar bearing surface for mutual sliding engagement between such other surfaces, and said other surfaces of said components being respectively provided with a projection and a track for constraining motion of said first component during joint articulation to a predetermined path defined by said track.

Claim 49

An improved prosthetic knee joint comprising first and second components, one surface of the first component being adapted for securement to the tibia, one surface of the second component defining a generally concave bearing surface for mutual articulatory engagement with a femoral condylar surface, the other surface of each component providing a substantially planar bearing surface for mutual sliding engagement between such other surfaces, and said other surfaces of said components being respectively provided with a projection and a track for constraining motion of said first component during joint articulation to a predetermined path defined by said track.

Claim 50

An improved prosthetic knee joint according to claim 39 wherein said projection and track are of complementary dovetail, cross-sectional shape.

Claim 51

An improved prosthetic knee joint according to claims 39 or 40 wherein said track is a curved track.

Claim 52

An improved prosthetic joint according to claim 41 wherein said track is a circular curved track.

Claim 53

An improved prosthetic joint of the type including: (a) tibial platform means having a first superior bearing surface, the tibial platform means for replacing tibial portions of a knee; (b) bearing insert means having a first inferior bearing surface which slidably engages the first superior bearing surface of the tibial platform means for rotating and sliding movement relative thereto, the bearing insert means provided with a generally concave second superior bearing surface for providing an articulated joint between the tibial platform means and femoral portions of the knee, the generally concave second superior bearing surface defined by a predetermined radius providing a predetermined engagement height; wherein the improvement comprises: (c) track means for constraining motion of the bearing insert means during joint articulation to a predetermined path relative to the tibial platform means and for preventing rotation of the bearing insert means relative to the tibial platform means independent of anterior-posterior sliding movement of the bearing insert means relative to the tibial platform means thereby permitting the predetermined radius to be a non-central radius thereby providing the bearing insert means with an engagement height greater than predetermined engagement height.

Claim 54

An improved prosthetic joint of the type including: (a) tibial platform means having a first superior bearing surface, the tibial platform means for replacing tibial portions of a knee; (b) bearing insert means having a first inferior bearing surface which slidably engages the first superior bearing surface of the tibial platform means for rotating and sliding movement relative thereto, the bearing insert means provided with a generally concave second superior bearing surface for providing an articulated joint between the tibial platform means and femoral portions of the knee, the generally concave second superior bearing surface defined by a predetermined radius providing a predetermined engagement height; wherein the improvement comprises: (c) track means for constraining motion of the bearing insert means during joint articulation to a predetermined path relative to the tibial platform means and for preventing rotation of the bearing insert means relative to the tibial platform means independent of anterior-posterior sliding movement of the bearing insert means relative to the tibial platform means thereby permitting the predetermined radius to be a non-central radius thereby providing the bearing insert means with an engagement height greater than predetermined engagement height.

Claim 55

An improved prosthetic knee joint, comprising: a tibial platform for replacing tibial portions of a knee, the tibial platform provided with two outwardly curved tracks on its superior surface for constraining motion of a pair of intermediate tibial bearing components during joint articulation to a predetermined path relative to the tibial platform; a pair of intermediate tibial bearing components, each component provided with an inferior bearing surface for being slidably received in one of the outwardly curved tracks, and each component provided with a generally concave bearing surface on its superior surface providing an articulated joint with femoral condylar surfaces; and during knee joint articulation: (i) the pair of tibial bearing components simultaneously slide anteriorly-posteriorly in the outwardly curved tracks to provide anterior-posterior shift, (ii) one of the tibial bearing components slides anteriorly in one of the curved tracks while the other of the tibial components slides posteriorly in the other of the tracks to provide axial rotation, and (iii) the tracks provide enhanced medial-lateral stability.

Claim 56

An improved prosthetic knee joint, comprising: a tibial platform for replacing tibial portions of a knee, the tibial platform provided with two outwardly curved tracks on its superior surface for constraining motion of a pair of intermediate tibial bearing components during joint articulation to a predetermined path relative to the tibial platform; a pair of intermediate tibial bearing components, each component provided with an inferior bearing surface for being slidably received in one of the outwardly curved tracks, and each component provided with a generally concave bearing surface on its superior surface providing an articulated joint with femoral condylar surfaces; and during knee joint articulation: (i) the pair of tibial bearing components simultaneously slide anteriorly-posteriorly in the outwardly curved tracks to provide anterior-posterior shift, (ii) one of the tibial bearing components slides anteriorly in one of the curved tracks while the other of the tibial components slides posteriorly in the other of the tracks to provide axial rotation, and (iii) the tracks provide enhanced medial-lateral stability.

Claim 57

An improved prosthetic knee joint, comprising: a tibial platform for replacing tibial portions of a knee, the tibial platform provided with an outwardly curved track on its superior surface for constraining motion of an intermediate tibial bearing component during joint articulation to a predetermined path relative to the tibial platform; a femoral component for replacing femoral portions of a knee, the femoral component having an inferior generally convex bearing surface; an intermediate tibial bearing component provided with an inferior bearing surface for being slidably received in the outwardly curved track, the intermediate tibial bearing component provided with a generally concave bearing surface on its superior surface for articulation with the inferior generally convex bearing surface provided in the femoral component; and during knee joint articulation: the tibial bearing component sliding anteriorly-posteriorly in the outwardly curved track to provide anterior-posterior shift, axial rotation, and the outwardly curved track providing enhanced medial-lateral stability.

Claim 58

An improved prosthetic knee joint, comprising: a tibial platform for replacing tibial portions of a knee, the tibial platform provided with an outwardly curved track on its superior surface for constraining motion of an intermediate tibial bearing component during joint articulation to a predetermined path relative to the tibial platform; a femoral component for replacing femoral portions of a knee, the femoral component having an inferior generally convex bearing surface; an intermediate tibial bearing component provided with an inferior bearing surface for being slidably received in the outwardly curved track, the intermediate tibial bearing component provided with a generally concave bearing surface on its superior surface for articulation with the inferior generally convex bearing surface provided in the femoral component; and during knee joint articulation: the tibial bearing component sliding anteriorly-posteriorly in the outwardly curved track to provide anterior-posterior shift, axial rotation, and the outwardly curved track providing enhanced medial-lateral stability.

Claim 59

An improved prosthetic joint of the type including: (a) tibial platform means for replacing tibial portions of a knee and having a superior bearing surface; (b) bearing insert means for providing an articulated joint between the tibial platform means and femoral portions of the knee, the bearing insert means having an inferior bearing surface for slidably and/or rotatably engaging the superior bearing surface of the tibial platform means during joint articulation and undergoing axial rotation and/or anterior-posterior shift during joint articulation; the bearing insert means having medial-lateral stability during joint articulation; wherein the improvement comprises: (c) means for constraining motion of the bearing insert means during joint articulation to a predetermined path relative to the tibial platform means thereby providing the bearing insert means with improved medial-lateral stability substantially unaffected by the axial rotation and/or anterior-posterior shift of the bearing insert means during joint articulation.

Claim 60

An improved prosthetic joint of the type including: (a) tibial platform means for replacing tibial portions of a knee and having a superior bearing surface; (b) bearing insert means for providing an articulated joint between the tibial platform means and femoral portions of the knee, the bearing insert means having an inferior bearing surface for slidably and/or rotatably engaging the superior bearing surface of the tibial platform means during joint articulation and undergoing axial rotation and/or anterior-posterior shift during joint articulation; the bearing insert means having medial-lateral stability during joint articulation; wherein the improvement comprises: (c) means for constraining motion of the bearing insert means during joint articulation to a predetermined path relative to the tibial platform means thereby providing the bearing insert means with improved medial-lateral stability substantially unaffected by the axial rotation and/or anterior-posterior shift of the bearing insert means during joint articulation.

Claim 61

An improved prosthetic joint according to claim 46 wherein the means for constraining motion of the bearing insert means during joint articulation to a predetermined path relative to the tibial platform means comprise a projection and a curved track for receiving the projection.

Claim 62

An improved prosthetic knee joint, comprising: a tibial platform for replacing tibial portions of a knee, the tibial platform provided with two outwardly curved tracks on its superior surface for constraining motion of a pair of intermediate tibial bearing components during joint articulation to a predetermined path relative to the tibial platform; a femoral component for replacing femoral portions of the knee, the femoral component provided with an inferior generally convex bearing surface; a pair of intermediate tibial bearing components; each component provided with an inferior bearing surface for being slidably received in one of the outwardly curved tracks, and each component provided with a superior generally concave bearing surface for articulation with the inferior generally convex bearing surface of the femoral component; and during knee joint articulation: the pair of tibial bearing components simultaneously sliding anteriorly-posteriorly in the outwardly curved tracks to provide anterior-posterior shift, one of the tibial bearing components sliding anteriorly in one of the outwardly curved tracks while the other of the tibial components is sliding posteriorly in the other of the curved tracks to provide axial rotation, and the tracks providing enhanced medial-lateral stability.

Claim 63

An improved prosthetic knee joint, comprising: a tibial platform for replacing tibial portions of a knee, the tibial platform provided with two outwardly curved tracks on its superior surface for constraining motion of a pair of intermediate tibial bearing components during joint articulation to a predetermined path relative to the tibial platform; a femoral component for replacing femoral portions of the knee, the femoral component provided with an inferior generally convex bearing surface; a pair of intermediate tibial bearing components; each component provided with an inferior bearing surface for being slidably received in one of the outwardly curved tracks, and each component provided with a superior generally concave bearing surface for articulation with the inferior generally convex bearing surface of the femoral component; and during knee joint articulation: the pair of tibial bearing components simultaneously sliding anteriorly-posteriorly in the outwardly curved tracks to provide anterior-posterior shift, one of the tibial bearing components sliding anteriorly in one of the outwardly curved tracks while the other of the tibial components is sliding posteriorly in the other of the curved tracks to provide axial rotation, and the tracks providing enhanced medial-lateral stability.