Bipolar femoral implant

Claim 2

An implantable prosthetic joint comprising: a) first bone securing means for constraining the prosthetic joint within a first bone of a biological joint, said first bone securing means including a spherical shell articulating within a socket in the first bone, said shell including an inner spherical surface and an open circumferential end; b) second bone securing means for securing the prosthetic joint to a second bone of the biological joint, said second bone securing means including a femoral head and stem means connected with said femoral head for securing the prosthetic joint to the second bone; c) bearing means for connecting said second bone securing means with said first bone securing means, said bearing means including: i) an outer spherical dome which engages with the inner spherical surface of said shell, ii) an open circumferential end, iii) an inner spherical surface which receives said femoral head for ball-and-socket movement therein, and iv) an inner annular surface at said open circumferential end, said inner annular surface including at least one annular step; d) split spring ring means for retaining said femoral head in said bearing means, said split spring ring means including an annular inner engaging surface biased into engagement with the femoral head when the femoral head is seated in said bearing means, and said split spring ring means engaged with said at least one annular step of said inner annular surface when said femoral head is fit within said bearing means; and e) said bearing means including a bearing insert having said outer spherical dome and said inner spherical surface, and an insert rim formed separate from and independent of said bearing insert, said insert rim being secured to said first bone securing means and having said open circumferential end, said inner annular surface, with an annular recess defined between said bearing insert and said insert rim for receiving said split spring ring means.

Claim 3

An implantable prosthetic joint according to claim 1; wherein said insert rim further includes connecting means for connecting said insert rim to said first bone securing means.

Claim 4

An implantable prosthetic joint according to claim 2; wherein said shell has a substantially hemispherical shell portion and a skirt portion continuous therewith and which defines said open circumferential end thereof, said substantially hemispherical shell portion including said inner spherical surface and said skirt portion including an inner substantially cylindrical surface continuous with said inner spherical surface.

Claim 5

An implantable prosthetic joint according to claim 3; wherein said first bone securing means includes one of groove means and mating rim means on said inner substantially cylindrical surface of said skirt portion, and the connecting means includes the other of said groove means and said rim means.

Claim 6

An implantable prosthetic joint according to claim 4; wherein said groove means includes first and second grooves spaced from each other and said rim means includes first and second rims for matingly engaging with the first and second grooves, respectively.

Claim 7

An implantable prosthetic joint comprising: a) first bone securing means for constraining the prosthetic joint within a first bone of a biological joint, said first bone securing means including a spherical shell articulating within a socket in the first bone, said shell including an inner spherical surface and an open circumferential end, said shell having a substantially hemispherical shell portion and a skirt portion continuous therewith and which defines said open circumferential end thereof, said substantially hemispherical shell portion including said inner spherical surface and said skirt portion including an inner substantially cylindrical surface continuous with said inner spherical surface, said first bone securing means further including a plurality of concentric, axially spaced threads on said substantially cylindrical inner surface of said skirt portion; b) second bond securing means for securing the prosthetic joint to a second bone of the biological joint, said second bone securing means including a femoral head and stem means connected with said femoral head for securing the prosthetic joint to the second bone; c) bearing means for connecting said second bone securing means with said first bone securing means, said bearing means including: i) an outer spherical dome which engages with the inner spherical surface of said shell, ii) an open circumferential end, iii) an inner spherical surface which receives said femoral head for ball-and-socket movement therein, and iv) an inner annular surface at said open circumferential end, said inner annular surface including at least one annular step; d) split spring ring means for retaining said femoral head in said bearing means, said split spring ring means including an annular inner engaging surface biased into engagement with the femoral head when the femoral head is seated in said bearing means, and said split spring ring means engaged with said at least one annular step of said inner annular surface when said femoral head is fit within said bearing means; and e) said bearing means including a bearing insert having said outer spherical dome and said inner spherical surface, and an insert rim secured to said first bone securing means and having said open circumferential end, said inner annular surface, and connecting means for connecting said insert rim to said first bone securing means, with an annular recess defined between said bearing insert and said insert rim for receiving said split spring ring means, and said connecting means including a plurality of concentric, axially spaced threads on the outer surface of said insert rim for releasably engaging with said threads on said inner substantially cylindrical surface of said skirt portion.

Claim 8

An implantable prosthetic joint comprising: a) first bone securing means for constraining the prosthetic joint within a first bone of a biological joint, said first bone securing means including a spherical shell articulating within a socket in the first bone, said shell including an inner spherical surface and an open circumferential end, said shell having a substantially hemispherical shell portion and a skirt portion continuous therewith and which defines said open circumferential end thereof, said substantially hemispherical shell portion including said inner spherical surface and said skirt portion including an inner substantially cylindrical surface continuous with said inner spherical surface, said first bone securing means further including a plurality of concentric, axially spaced threads on said substantially cylindrical inner surface of said skirt portion; b) second bond securing means for securing the prosthetic joint to a second bone of the biological joint, said second bone securing means including a femoral head and stem means connected with said femoral head for securing the prosthetic joint to the second bone; c) bearing means for connecting said second bone securing means with said first bone securing means, said bearing means including: i) an outer spherical dome which engages with the inner spherical surface of said shell, ii) an open circumferential end, iii) an inner spherical surface which receives said femoral head for ball-and-socket movement therein, and iv) an inner annular surface at said open circumferential end, said inner annular surface including at least one annular step; d) split spring ring means for retaining said femoral head in said bearing means, said split spring ring means including an annular inner engaging surface biased into engagement with the femoral head when the femoral head is seated in said bearing means, and said split spring ring means engaged with said at least one annular step of said inner annular surface when said femoral head is fit within said bearing means; and e) said bearing means including a bearing insert having said outer spherical dome and said inner spherical surface, and an insert rim secured to said first bone securing means and having said open circumferential end, said inner annular surface, and connecting means for connecting said insert rim to said first bone securing means, with an annular recess defined between said bearing insert and said insert rim for receiving said split spring ring means, and said connecting means including a plurality of concentric, axially spaced threads on the outer surface of said insert rim for releasably engaging with said threads on said inner substantially cylindrical surface of said skirt portion.

Claim 9

An implantable prosthetic joint comprising: a) first bone securing means for constraining the prosthetic joint within a first bone of a biological joint, said first bone securing means including a spherical shell articulating within a socket in the first bone, said shell including an inner spherical surface and an open circumferential end, said shell having a substantially hemispherical shell portion and a skirt portion continuous therewith and which defines said open circumferential end thereof, said substantially hemispherical shell portion including said inner spherical surface and said skirt portion including an inner substantially cylindrical surface continuous with said inner spherical surface, and said first bone securing means includes one of groove means and mating rim means on said inner substantially cylindrical surface of said skirt portion; b) second bone securing means for securing the prosthetic joint to a second bone of the biological joint, said second bone securing means including a femoral head and stem means connected with said femoral head for securing the prosthetic joint to the second bone; c) bearing means for connecting said second bone securing means with said first bone securing means, said bearing means including: i) an outer spherical dome which engages with the inner spherical surface of said shell, ii) an open circumferential end, iii) an inner spherical surface which receives said femoral head for ball-and-socket movement therein, and iv) an inner annular surface at said open circumferential end, said inner annular surface including at least one annular step; d) split spring ring means for retaining said femoral head in said bearing means, said split spring ring means including an annular inner engaging surface biased into engagement with the femoral head when the femoral head is seated in said bearing means, and said split spring ring means engaged with said at least one annular step of said inner annular surface when said femoral head is fit within said bearing means; and e) said bearing means including a bearing insert having said outer spherical dome and said inner spherical surface, and an insert rim secured to said first bone securing means and having said open circumferential end, said inner annular surface, and connecting means for connecting said insert rim to said first bone securing means, the connecting means including the other of said groove means and said rim means, and said rim means includes a bead, with an annular recess defined between said bearing insert and said insert rim for receiving said split spring ring means.

Claim 10

An implantable prosthetic joint comprising: a) first bone securing means for constraining the prosthetic joint within a first bone of a biological joint, said first bone securing means including a spherical shell articulating within a socket in the first bone, said shell including an inner spherical surface and an open circumferential end, said shell having a substantially hemispherical shell portion and a skirt portion continuous therewith and which defines said open circumferential end thereof, said substantially hemispherical shell portion including said inner spherical surface and said skirt portion including an inner substantially cylindrical surface continuous with said inner spherical surface, and said first bone securing means includes one of groove means and mating rim means on said inner substantially cylindrical surface of said skirt portion; b) second bone securing means for securing the prosthetic joint to a second bone of the biological joint, said second bone securing means including a femoral head and stem means connected with said femoral head for securing the prosthetic joint to the second bone; c) bearing means for connecting said second bone securing means with said first bone securing means, said bearing means including: i) an outer spherical dome which engages with the inner spherical surface of said shell, ii) an open circumferential end, iii) an inner spherical surface which receives said femoral head for ball-and-socket movement therein, and iv) an inner annular surface at said open circumferential end, said inner annular surface including at least one annular step; d) split spring ring means for retaining said femoral head in said bearing means, said split spring ring means including an annular inner engaging surface biased into engagement with the femoral head when the femoral head is seated in said bearing means, and said split spring ring means engaged with said at least one annular step of said inner annular surface when said femoral head is fit within said bearing means; and e) said bearing means including a bearing insert having said outer spherical dome and said inner spherical surface, and an insert rim secured to said first bone securing means and having said open circumferential end, said inner annular surface, and connecting means for connecting said insert rim to said first bone securing means, the connecting means including the other of said groove means and said rim means, and said rim means includes a bead, with an annular recess defined between said bearing insert and said insert rim for receiving said split spring ring means.

Claim 11

An implantable prosthetic joint according to claim 3; wherein said first bone securing means includes barb means on said inner substantially cylindrical surface of said skirt portion for receiving said insert rim so as to connect said insert rim to said acetabular shell.

Claim 12

An implantable prosthetic joint according to claim 3; wherein said first bone securing means includes barb means on said inner spherical surface of said substantially hemispherical shell portion for receiving said outer spherical dome to secure said bearing insert to said acetabular shell.

Claim 13

An implantable prosthetic joint according to claim 1; wherein said inner annular surface includes an upper frusto-conical wall surface which extends downwardly and inwardly in a converging manner and has a lower edge and a lower annular ledge having an outer edge, said lower annular ledge engaging said split spring ring means to prevent pull-out of said femoral head from said bearing means, and said at least one annular step is formed between the lower edge of said upper frusto-conical wall surface and the outer edge of said lower annular ledge.

Claim 14

An implantable prosthetic joint comprising: a) first bone securing means for constraining the prosthetic joint within a first bone of a biological joint, said first bone securing means including a spherical shell articulating within a socket in the first bone, said shell including an inner spherical surface and an open circumferential end; b) second bone securing means for securing the prosthetic joint to a second bone of the biological joint, said second bone securing means including a femoral head and stem means connected with said femoral head for securing the prosthetic joint to the second bone; c) bearing means for connecting said second bone securing means with said first bone securing means, said bearing means including: i) an outer spherical dome which engages with the inner spherical surface of said shell, ii) an open circumferential end, iii) an inner spherical surface which receives said femoral head for ball-and-socket movement therein, aid iv) an inner annular surface at said open circumferential end, said inner annular surface including at least one annular step; d) split spring ring means for retaining said femoral head in said bearing means, said split spring ring means including an annular inner engaging surface biased into engagement with the femoral head when the femoral head is seated in said bearing means, and said split spring ring means engaged with said at least one annular step of said inner annular surface when said femoral head is fit within said bearing means; e) said bearing means including a bearing insert having said outer spherical dome and said inner spherical surface, and an insert rim secured to said first bone securing means and having said open circumferential end and said inner annular surface, with an annular recess defined between said bearing insert and said insert rim for receiving said split spring ring means; f) said inner annular surface includes an upper frusto-conical wall surface which extends downwardly and inwardly in a converging manner and has a lower edge and a lower annular ledge having an outer edge, said lower annular ledge engaging said split spring ring means to prevent pull-out of said femoral head from said bearing means, and said at least one annular step is formed between the lower edge of said upper frusto-conical wall surface and the outer edge of said lower annular ledge; and g) said inner annular surface includes one annular step formed by a frusto-conical surface extending upwardly and outwardly in a diverging manner from the outer edge of said lower annular ledge and having an upper edge, and an upper annular ledge connecting the lower edge of said upper frusto-conical wall surface and the upper edge of said lower frusto-conical wall surface, with a first diameter being defined by said upper frusto-conical wall surface and a second smaller diameter being defined by said lower frusto-conical wall surface.

Claim 15

An implantable prosthetic joint comprising: a) first bone securing means for constraining the prosthetic joint within a first bone of a biological joint, said first bone securing means including a spherical shell articulating within a socket in the first bone, said shell including an inner spherical surface and an open circumferential end; b) second bone securing means for securing the prosthetic joint to a second bone of the biological joint, said second bone securing means including a femoral head and stem means connected with said femoral head for securing the prosthetic joint to the second bone; c) bearing means for connecting said second bone securing means with said first bone securing means, said bearing means including: i) an outer spherical dome which engages with the inner spherical surface of said shell, ii) an open circumferential end, iii) an inner spherical surface which receives said femoral head for ball-and-socket movement therein, aid iv) an inner annular surface at said open circumferential end, said inner annular surface including at least one annular step; d) split spring ring means for retaining said femoral head in said bearing means, said split spring ring means including an annular inner engaging surface biased into engagement with the femoral head when the femoral head is seated in said bearing means, and said split spring ring means engaged with said at least one annular step of said inner annular surface when said femoral head is fit within said bearing means; e) said bearing means including a bearing insert having said outer spherical dome and said inner spherical surface, and an insert rim secured to said first bone securing means and having said open circumferential end and said inner annular surface, with an annular recess defined between said bearing insert and said insert rim for receiving said split spring ring means; f) said inner annular surface includes an upper frusto-conical wall surface which extends downwardly and inwardly in a converging manner and has a lower edge and a lower annular ledge having an outer edge, said lower annular ledge engaging said split spring ring means to prevent pull-out of said femoral head from said bearing means, and said at least one annular step is formed between the lower edge of said upper frusto-conical wall surface and the outer edge of said lower annular ledge; and g) said inner annular surface includes one annular step formed by a frusto-conical surface extending upwardly and outwardly in a diverging manner from the outer edge of said lower annular ledge and having an upper edge, and an upper annular ledge connecting the lower edge of said upper frusto-conical wall surface and the upper edge of said lower frusto-conical wall surface, with a first diameter being defined by said upper frusto-conical wall surface and a second smaller diameter being defined by said lower frusto-conical wall surface.

Claim 16

An implantable prosthetic joint comprising: a) a first bone securing means for constraining the prosthetic joint within a first bone of a biological joint, said first bone securing means including a spherical shell articulating within a socket in the first bone, said shell including an inner spherical surface and an open circumferential end; b) second bond securing means for securing the prosthetic joint to a second bone of the biological joint, said second bone securing means including a femoral head and stem means connected with said femoral head for securing the prosthetic joint to the second bone; c) bearing means for connecting said second bone securing means with said first bone securing means, said bearing means including: i) an outer spherical dome which engages with the inner spherical surface of said shell, ii) an open circumferential end, iii) an inner spherical surface which receives said femoral head for ball-and-socket movement therein, and iv) an inner annular surface at said open circumferential end, said inner annular surface including at least one annular step; d) split spring ring means for retaining said femoral head in said bearing means, said split spring ring means including an annular inner engaging surface biased into engagement with the femoral head when the femoral head is seated in said bearing means, and said split spring ring means engaged with said at least one annular step of said inner annular surface when said femoral head is fit within said bearing means; e) said bearing means including a bearing insert having said outer spherical dome and said inner spherical surface, and an insert rim secured to said first bone securing means and having said open circumferential end and said inner annular surface, with an annular recess defined between said bearing insert and said insert rim for receiving said split spring ring means; f) said inner annular surface includes an upper frusto-conical wall surface which extends downwardly and inwardly in a converging manner and has a lower edge and a lower annular ledge having an outer edge, said lower annular ledge engaging said split spring ring means to prevent pull-out of said femoral head from said bearing means, and said at least one annular step is formed between the lower edge of said upper frusto-conical wall surface and the outer edge of said lower annular ledge; and g) said inner annular surface includes two successively connected annular steps connected between the outer edge of said lower annular ledge and said lower edge of said upper frusto-conical wall surface, each said step including a frusto-conical wall surface and an annular ledge.

Claim 17

An implantable prosthetic joint comprising: a) a first bone securing means for constraining the prosthetic joint within a first bone of a biological joint, said first bone securing means including a spherical shell articulating within a socket in the first bone, said shell including an inner spherical surface and an open circumferential end; b) second bond securing means for securing the prosthetic joint to a second bone of the biological joint, said second bone securing means including a femoral head and stem means connected with said femoral head for securing the prosthetic joint to the second bone; c) bearing means for connecting said second bone securing means with said first bone securing means, said bearing means including: i) an outer spherical dome which engages with the inner spherical surface of said shell, ii) an open circumferential end, iii) an inner spherical surface which receives said femoral head for ball-and-socket movement therein, and iv) an inner annular surface at said open circumferential end, said inner annular surface including at least one annular step; d) split spring ring means for retaining said femoral head in said bearing means, said split spring ring means including an annular inner engaging surface biased into engagement with the femoral head when the femoral head is seated in said bearing means, and said split spring ring means engaged with said at least one annular step of said inner annular surface when said femoral head is fit within said bearing means; e) said bearing means including a bearing insert having said outer spherical dome and said inner spherical surface, and an insert rim secured to said first bone securing means and having said open circumferential end and said inner annular surface, with an annular recess defined between said bearing insert and said insert rim for receiving said split spring ring means; f) said inner annular surface includes an upper frusto-conical wall surface which extends downwardly and inwardly in a converging manner and has a lower edge and a lower annular ledge having an outer edge, said lower annular ledge engaging said split spring ring means to prevent pull-out of said femoral head from said bearing means, and said at least one annular step is formed between the lower edge of said upper frusto-conical wall surface and the outer edge of said lower annular ledge; and g) said inner annular surface includes two successively connected annular steps connected between the outer edge of said lower annular ledge and said lower edge of said upper frusto-conical wall surface, each said step including a frusto-conical wall surface and an annular ledge.

Claim 18

An implantable prosthetic joint comprising: a) first bone securing means for constraining the prosthetic joint within a first bone of a biological joint, said first bone securing means including a spherical shell articulating within a socket in the first bone, said shell including an inner spherical surface and an open circumferential end; b) second bone securing means for securing the prosthetic joint to a second bone of the biological joint, said second bone securing means including a femoral head and stem means connected with said femoral head for securing the prosthetic joint to the second bone; c) bearing means for connecting said second bone securing means with said first bone securing means, said bearing means including: i) an outer spherical dome which engages with the inner spherical surface of said shell, ii) an open circumferential end, iii) an inner spherical surface which receives said femoral head for ball-and-socket movement therein, and iv) an inner annular surface at said open circumferential end, said inner annular surface including at least one annular step; d) split spring ring means for retaining said femoral head in said bearing means, said split spring ring means including an annular inner engaging surface having a lower portion spaced from the femoral head when the femoral head is seated in said bearing means, and said split spring ring means engaged with said at least one annular step of said inner annular surface when said femoral head is fit within said bearing means, said annular inner engaging surface being inclined in a converging manner toward said open circumferential end; e) said bearing means including a bearing insert having said outer spherical dome and said inner spherical surface, and an insert rim secured to said first bone securing means and having said open circumferential end and said inner annular surface, with an annular recess defined between said bearing insert and said insert rim for receiving said split spring ring means; and f) said inner annular surface includes an upper substantially cylindrical wall surface which has a lower edge and a lower annular ledge having an outer edge, said lower annular ledge engaging said split spring ring means to prevent pull-out of said femoral head from said bearing means, and said at least one annular step is formed between the lower edge of said upper substantially cylindrical wall surface and the outer edge of said lower annular ledge.

Claim 19

An implantable prosthetic joint comprising: a) first bone securing means for constraining the prosthetic joint within a first bone of a biological joint, said first bone securing means including a spherical shell articulating within a socket in the first bone, said shell including an inner spherical surface and an open circumferential end; b) second bone securing means for securing the prosthetic joint to a second bone of the biological joint, said second bone securing means including a femoral head and stem means connected with said femoral head for securing the prosthetic joint to the second bone; c) bearing means for connecting said second bone securing means with said first bone securing means, said bearing means including: i) an outer spherical dome which engages with the inner spherical surface of said shell, ii) an open circumferential end, iii) an inner spherical surface which receives said femoral head for ball-and-socket movement therein, and iv) an inner annular surface at said open circumferential end, said inner annular surface including at least one annular step; d) split spring ring means for retaining said femoral head in said bearing means, said split spring ring means including an annular inner engaging surface having a lower portion spaced from the femoral head when the femoral head is seated in said bearing means, and said split spring ring means engaged with said at least one annular step of said inner annular surface when said femoral head is fit within said bearing means, said annular inner engaging surface being inclined in a converging manner toward said open circumferential end; e) said bearing means including a bearing insert having said outer spherical dome and said inner spherical surface, and an insert rim secured to said first bone securing means and having said open circumferential end and said inner annular surface, with an annular recess defined between said bearing insert and said insert rim for receiving said split spring ring means; and f) said inner annular surface includes an upper substantially cylindrical wall surface which has a lower edge and a lower annular ledge having an outer edge, said lower annular ledge engaging said split spring ring means to prevent pull-out of said femoral head from said bearing means, and said at least one annular step is formed between the lower edge of said upper substantially cylindrical wall surface and the outer edge of said lower annular ledge.

Claim 20

An implantable prosthetic joint according to claim 13; wherein said inner annular surface includes two successively connected annular steps connected between the outer edge of said lower annular ledge and said lower edge of said upper substantially cylindrical wall surface, each said step including a substantially cylindrical wall surface and an annular ledge.

Claim 21

An implantable prosthetic joint according to claim 1; wherein said split spring ring means includes a split lock ring and spring means for biasing said split lock ring into a compressed condition.

Claim 22

An implantable prosthetic joint comprising: a) first bone securing means for constraining the prosthetic joint within a first bone of a biological joint, said first bone securing means including a spherical shell articulating within a socket in the first bone, said shell including an inner spherical surface and an open circumferential end, and said shell further including a substantially hemispherical shell portion and a skirt portion continuous therewith and which defines said open circumferential end, said substantially hemispherical shell portion including said inner spherical surface and said skirt portion including an inner substantially cylindrical surface continuous with said inner spherical surface; b) second bone securing means for securing the prosthetic joint to a second bone of the biological joint, said second bone securing means including a femoral head and stem means connected with said femoral head for securing the prosthetic joint to the second bone; c) bearing means for connecting said second bone securing means with said first bone securing means, said bearing means including: i) an outer spherical dome which engages with the inner spherical surface of said shell, ii) an open circumferential end, iii) an inner spherical surface which receives said femoral head for ball-and-socket movement therein, and iv) an inner annular surface at said open circumferential end, said inner annular surface including at least one annular step; d) split spring ring means for retaining said femoral head in said bearing means, said split spring ring means including an annular inner engaging surface having a lower portion spaced from the femoral head when the femoral head is seated in said bearing means, and said split spring ring means engaged with said at least one annular step of said inner annular surface when said femoral head is fit within said bearing means, said annular inner engaging surface being inclined in a converging manner toward said open circumferential end; and e) said bearing means including a bearing insert having said outer spherical dome and said inner spherical surface, and an insert rim secured to said first bone securing means and having said open circumferential end and said inner annular surface, with an annular recess defined between said bearing insert and said insert rim for receiving said split spring ring means, and said insert rim further including an outer exposed inclined annular surface extending inwardly and downwardly in a converging manner from the outer edge of said skirt portion.

Claim 23

An implantable prosthetic joint comprising: a) first bone securing means for constraining the prosthetic joint within a first bone of a biological joint, said first bone securing means including a spherical shell articulating within a socket in the first bone, said shell including an inner spherical surface and an open circumferential end, and said shell further including a substantially hemispherical shell portion and a skirt portion continuous therewith and which defines said open circumferential end, said substantially hemispherical shell portion including said inner spherical surface and said skirt portion including an inner substantially cylindrical surface continuous with said inner spherical surface; b) second bone securing means for securing the prosthetic joint to a second bone of the biological joint, said second bone securing means including a femoral head and stem means connected with said femoral head for securing the prosthetic joint to the second bone; c) bearing means for connecting said second bone securing means with said first bone securing means, said bearing means including: i) an outer spherical dome which engages with the inner spherical surface of said shell, ii) an open circumferential end, iii) an inner spherical surface which receives said femoral head for ball-and-socket movement therein, and iv) an inner annular surface at said open circumferential end, said inner annular surface including at least one annular step; d) split spring ring means for retaining said femoral head in said bearing means, said split spring ring means including an annular inner engaging surface having a lower portion spaced from the femoral head when the femoral head is seated in said bearing means, and said split spring ring means engaged with said at least one annular step of said inner annular surface when said femoral head is fit within said bearing means, said annular inner engaging surface being inclined in a converging manner toward said open circumferential end; and e) said bearing means including a bearing insert having said outer spherical dome and said inner spherical surface, and an insert rim secured to said first bone securing means and having said open circumferential end and said inner annular surface, with an annular recess defined between said bearing insert and said insert rim for receiving said split spring ring means, and said insert rim further including an outer exposed inclined annular surface extending inwardly and downwardly in a converging manner from the outer edge of said skirt portion.

Claim 24

An implantable prosthetic joint comprising: a) first bone securing means for constraining the prosthetic joint within a first bone of a biological joint, said first bone securing means including a spherical shell articulating within a socket in the first bone, said shell including an inner spherical surface and an open circumferential end; b) second bone securing means for securing the prosthetic joint to a second bone of the biological joint, said second bone securing means including a femoral head and stem means connected with said femoral head for securing the prosthetic joint to the second bone; c) bearing means for connecting said second bone securing means with said first bone securing means, said bearing means including: i) an outer spherical dome which engages with the inner spherical surface of said shell, ii) an open circumferential end, iii) an inner spherical surface which receives said femoral head for ball-and-socket movement therein, and iv) an inner annular surface at said open circumferential end, said inner annular surface including at least one annular step having a substantially semi-circular groove for receiving said step. d) split spring ring means for retaining said femoral head in said bearing means, said split spring ring means including an annular inner engaging surface spaced at least partially from the femoral head when the femoral head is seated in said bearing means, said annular inner engaging surface being inclined in a converging manner toward said open circumferential end, said split spring ring means engaged with said at least one annular step of said inner annular surface when said femoral head is fit within said bearing means, and said slit ring means including a bottom annular surface having an annular semi-circular groove for receiving said step.

Claim 25

An implantable prosthetic joint comprising: a) first bone securing means for constraining the prosthetic joint within a first bone of a biological joint, said first bone securing means including a spherical shell articulating within a socket in the first bone, said shell including an inner spherical surface and an open circumferential end; b) second bone securing means for securing the prosthetic joint to a second bone of the biological joint, said second bone securing means including a femoral head and stem means connected with said femoral head for securing the prosthetic joint to the second bone; c) bearing means for connecting said second bone securing means with said first bone securing means, said bearing means including: i) an outer spherical dome which engages with the inner spherical surface of said shell, ii) an open circumferential end, iii) an inner spherical surface which receives said femoral head for ball-and-socket movement therein, and iv) an inner annular surface at said open circumferential end, said inner annular surface including at least one annular step having a substantially semi-circular groove for receiving said step. d) split spring ring means for retaining said femoral head in said bearing means, said split spring ring means including an annular inner engaging surface spaced at least partially from the femoral head when the femoral head is seated in said bearing means, said annular inner engaging surface being inclined in a converging manner toward said open circumferential end, said split spring ring means engaged with said at least one annular step of said inner annular surface when said femoral head is fit within said bearing means, and said slit ring means including a bottom annular surface having an annular semi-circular groove for receiving said step.

Claim 26

An implantable prosthetic joint comprising: a) first bone securing means for constraining the prosthetic joint within a first bone of a biological joint, said first bone securing means including a spherical shell articulating within a socket in the first bone, said shell including an inner spherical surface and an open circumferential end; b) second bone securing means for securing the prosthetic joint to a second bone of the biological joint, said second bone securing means including a femoral head and stem means connected with said femoral head for securing the prosthetic joint to the second bone; c) bearing means for connecting said second bone securing means with said first bone securing means, said bearing means including: i) an outer spherical dome which engages with the inner spherical surface of said shell, ii) an open circumferential end, iii) an inner spherical surface which receives said femoral head for ball-and-socket movement therein, iv) an inner annular surface at said open circumferential end, said inner annular surface including at least one annular step, and v) said inner annular surface of said bearing means includes an annular groove adjacent said at least one annular step; and d) split spring ring means for retaining said femoral head in said bearing means, said split spring ring means including an annular inner engaging surface biased into engagement with the femoral head when the femoral head is seated in said bearing means, and said split spring ring means engaged with said at least one annular step of said inner annular surface when said femoral head is fit within said bearing means, and said split ring means includes an annular extension which fits in said annular groove.

Claim 27

An implantable prosthetic joint comprising: a) first bone securing means for constraining the prosthetic joint within a first bone of a biological joint, said first bone securing means including a spherical shell articulating within a socket in the first bone, said shell including an inner spherical surface and an open circumferential end; b) second bone securing means for securing the prosthetic joint to a second bone of the biological joint, said second bone securing means including a femoral head and stem means connected with said femoral head for securing the prosthetic joint to the second bone; c) bearing means for connecting said second bone securing means with said first bone securing means, said bearing means including: i) an outer spherical dome which engages with the inner spherical surface of said shell, ii) an open circumferential end, iii) an inner spherical surface which receives said femoral head for ball-and-socket movement therein, iv) an inner annular surface at said open circumferential end, said inner annular surface including at least one annular step, and v) said inner annular surface of said bearing means includes an annular groove adjacent said at least one annular step; and d) split spring ring means for retaining said femoral head in said bearing means, said split spring ring means including an annular inner engaging surface biased into engagement with the femoral head when the femoral head is seated in said bearing means, and said split spring ring means engaged with said at least one annular step of said inner annular surface when said femoral head is fit within said bearing means, and said split ring means includes an annular extension which fits in said annular groove.

Claim 28

An implantable prosthetic joint comprising: a) first bone securing means for constraining the prosthetic joint within a first bone of a biological joint, said first bone securing means including a spherical shell articulating within a socket in the first bone, said shell including an inner spherical surface and an open circumferential end; b) second bone securing means for securing the prosthetic joint to a second bone of the biological joint, said second bone securing means including a femoral head and stem means connected with said femoral head for securing the prosthetic joint to the second bone; c) bearing means for connecting said second bone securing means with said first bone securing means, said bearing means including: i) an open circumferential end, ii) an outer spherical dome which engages with the inner spherical surface of said shell, iii) an inner spherical surface which receives said femoral head for ball-and-socket movement therein, and iv) an annular recess in said inner spherical surface, said annular recess being defined by an upper annular inclined wall and a lower annular inclined wall, said upper and lower annular inclined walls being inclined upwardly away from said open circumferential end; and d) split spring ring means for retaining said femoral head in said bearing means, said split spring ring means including an annular inner engaging surface biased into engagement with the femoral head when the femoral head is seated in said bearing means, and said split spring ring means being slidably positioned in said annular recess and including an annular upper inclined surface and a lower annular inclined surface, said upper and lower annular inclined surfaces being inclined upwardly away from said open circumferential end, and the distance between said upper and lower annular surfaces being only slightly smaller than the distance between said upper and lower annular walls.

Claim 29

An implantable prosthetic joint comprising: a) first bone securing means for constraining the prosthetic joint within a first bone of a biological joint, said first bone securing means including a spherical shell articulating within a socket in the first bone, said shell including an inner spherical surface and an open circumferential end; b) second bone securing means for securing the prosthetic joint to a second bone of the biological joint, said second bone securing means including a femoral head and stem means connected with said femoral head for securing the prosthetic joint to the second bone; c) bearing means for connecting said second bone securing means with said first bone securing means, said bearing means including: i) an open circumferential end, ii) an outer spherical dome which engages with the inner spherical surface of said shell, iii) an inner spherical surface which receives said femoral head for ball-and-socket movement therein, and iv) an annular recess in said inner spherical surface, said annular recess being defined by an upper annular inclined wall and a lower annular inclined wall, said upper and lower annular inclined walls being inclined upwardly away from said open circumferential end; and d) split spring ring means for retaining said femoral head in said bearing means, said split spring ring means including an annular inner engaging surface biased into engagement with the femoral head when the femoral head is seated in said bearing means, and said split spring ring means being slidably positioned in said annular recess and including an annular upper inclined surface and a lower annular inclined surface, said upper and lower annular inclined surfaces being inclined upwardly away from said open circumferential end, and the distance between said upper and lower annular surfaces being only slightly smaller than the distance between said upper and lower annular walls.

Claim 30

An implantable prosthetic joint according to claim 19; wherein said bearing means includes a bearing insert having said outer spherical dome, said inner spherical surface and said upper inclined wall, and an insert rim having said lower annular inclined wall and said open circumferential end, with said annular recess being defined between said bearing insert and said insert rim.

Claim 31

An implantable prosthetic joint according to claim 20; wherein said shell includes a substantially hemispherical shell portion defining said inner spherical surface and a skirt portion extending from said substantially hemispherical shell portion and defining said open circumferential end.

Claim 32

An implantable prosthetic joint according to claim 21; wherein said skirt portion includes an inner substantially cylindrical surface having first connecting means and said insert rim includes an outer substantially cylindrical surface for engaging with said inner substantially cylindrical surface of said skirt portion, said outer substantially cylindrical surface including second connecting means for matingly engaging with said first connecting means to connect said insert rim to said skirt portion.

Claim 33

An implantable prosthetic joint according to claim 22; wherein said first connecting means includes one of groove means and mating rim means on said inner substantially cylindrical surface of said skirt portion, and the first connecting means includes the other of said groove means and said rim means.

Claim 34

An implantable prosthetic joint according to claim 19; wherein said lower annular inclined wall includes an inner edge and said bearing means further includes a second lower annular inclined wall extending upwardly and inwardly in a converging manner from the inner edge of said first-mentioned lower annular inclined wall so as to define a substantially concave V-shaped lower annular wall therewith; and said split spring means includes a convex substantially V-shaped lower annular surface for matingly engaging with said V-shaped recess, said V-shaped lower annular inclined surface including said first-mentioned lower annular inclined surface of said split spring ring means, such that said first-mentioned lower annular inclined wall forms a guide ramp for movement of said split spring ring means thereon and said second lower annular inclined wall prevents escape of said split spring ring means from said annular recess.

Claim 35

An implantable prosthetic joint according to claim 20; wherein said bearing insert includes an outer annular face and said upper inclined wall is formed in said outer annular face.

Claim 36

An implantable prosthetic joint comprising: a) first bone securing means for constraining the prosthetic joint within a first bone of a biological joint, said first bone securing means including a spherical shell articulating within a socket in the first bone, said shell including an inner spherical surface and an open circumferential end; b) second bone securing means for securing the prosthetic joint to a second bone of the biological joint, said second bone securing means including a femoral head and stem means connected with said femoral head for securing the prosthetic joint to the second bone; c) bearing means for connecting said second bone securing means with said first bone securing means, said bearing means including: i) a bearing insert having an outer spherical dome which engages with the inner spherical surface of said shell and an inner spherical surface which receives said femoral head for ball-and-socket movement therein, and ii) a retractable annular split rim positioned below said bearing insert and including a central opening which permits passage of said femoral head therethrough and an inner ring surface, said retractable split rim including securing means for releasably securing said split rim in a first position spaced from said bearing insert and a second position at least substantially in contact with said bearing insert, an annular recess being defined between said bearing insert and said split rim when said split rim is secured in said first position; and d) split spring ring means for retaining said femoral head in said bearing means, said split spring ring means including an annular inner engaging surface biased into engagement with said femoral head and being positioned between said bearing insert and said retractable split rim, said split spring ring means being movable in said annular recess when said split rim is secured in said first position and being held by said inner ring surface when said split rim is secured in said second position.

Claim 37

An implantable prosthetic joint comprising: a) first bone securing means for constraining the prosthetic joint within a first bone of a biological joint, said first bone securing means including a spherical shell articulating within a socket in the first bone, said shell including an inner spherical surface and an open circumferential end; b) second bone securing means for securing the prosthetic joint to a second bone of the biological joint, said second bone securing means including a femoral head and stem means connected with said femoral head for securing the prosthetic joint to the second bone; c) bearing means for connecting said second bone securing means with said first bone securing means, said bearing means including: i) a bearing insert having an outer spherical dome which engages with the inner spherical surface of said shell and an inner spherical surface which receives said femoral head for ball-and-socket movement therein, and ii) a retractable annular split rim positioned below said bearing insert and including a central opening which permits passage of said femoral head therethrough and an inner ring surface, said retractable split rim including securing means for releasably securing said split rim in a first position spaced from said bearing insert and a second position at least substantially in contact with said bearing insert, an annular recess being defined between said bearing insert and said split rim when said split rim is secured in said first position; and d) split spring ring means for retaining said femoral head in said bearing means, said split spring ring means including an annular inner engaging surface biased into engagement with said femoral head and being positioned between said bearing insert and said retractable split rim, said split spring ring means being movable in said annular recess when said split rim is secured in said first position and being held by said inner ring surface when said split rim is secured in said second position.

Claim 38

An implantable prosthetic joint according to claim 26; wherein said inner ring surface includes at least one inner annular stepped portion for seating said split spring ring means when said split rim is secured in said second position.

Claim 39

An implantable prosthetic joint according to claim 26; wherein said inner ring surface includes an inner frusto-conical surface which extends inwardly and downwardly in a converging manner.

Claim 40

An implantable prosthetic joint according to claim 26; wherein said shell includes a substantially hemispherical shell portion defining said inner spherical surface and a depending skirt portion extending from said substantially hemispherical shell portion and defining said open circumferential end, said skirt portion including an inner substantially cylindrical surface, said inner substantially cylindrical surface including engaging means and said retractable split rim including an outer substantially cylindrical surface including said securing means for mating with said engaging means to releasably secure said split rim in said first and second positions.

Claim 41

An implantable prosthetic joint according to claim 29; wherein said engaging means includes a plurality of axially spaced circumferential threads on the inner substantially cylindrical surface of said skirt portion and said securing means includes a plurality of axially spaced circumferential threads on the outer substantially cylindrical surface of said retractable split rim which matingly engage with the axially spaced circumferential threads of said engaging means to releasably secure the retractable split rim in said first and second positions.

Claim 42

An implantable prosthetic joint according to claim 29; wherein said engaging means includes one of groove means and mating rim means on the inner substantially cylindrical surface of said skirt portion; and said securing means includes the other of said groove means and rim means on the outer substantially cylindrical surface of said retractable split rim.

Claim 43

An implantable prosthetic joint according to claim 31; wherein said groove means includes first and second spaced grooves and said rim means includes first and second spaced rims for engaging with said first and second grooves, respectively, in said second position and in which said first rim engages only with said second groove in said first position.

Claim 44

An implantable prosthetic joint according to claim 26; wherein said split spring ring means includes a split lock ring and spring means for biasing said split lock ring into a compressed condition.

Claim 45

An implantable prosthetic joint comprising: a) first bone securing means for constraining the prosthetic joint within a first bone of a biological joint, said first bone securing means including a spherical shell articulating within a socket in the first bone, said shell including an inner spherical surface and an open circumferential end; b) second bone securing means for securing the prosthetic joint to a second bone of the biological joint, said second bone securing means including a femoral head and stem means connected with said femoral head for securing the prosthetic joint to the second bone; c) bearing means for connecting said second bone securing means with said first bone securing means, said bearing means including: i) a bearing insert having an outer spherical dome which engages with the inner spherical surface of said shell and an inner spherical surface which receives said femoral head for ball-and-socket movement therein, and ii) an insert rim positioned below said bearing insert, said insert rim including: A) an open circumferential end, B) an upper surface spaced from said bearing insert to define a guideway, and C) an inner annular ring surface, an annular recess being defined between said bearing insert and said inner ring surface of said insert rim, said inner ring surface including a lower ledge; and d) split spring ring means for retaining said femoral head in said bearing means, said split spring ring means including: i) an upper split lock ring section having a sliding section slidable within said guideway and an inner engaging surface biased into engagement with the femoral head when the femoral head is seated in said bearing means, and ii) a lower split lock ring section positioned for movement in said annular recess and engageable with said lower ledge of said inner ring surface when a pulling force is exerted between said first and second bone securing means to prevent removal of said femoral head from said bearing means.

Claim 46

An implantable prosthetic joint comprising: a) first bone securing means for constraining the prosthetic joint within a first bone of a biological joint, said first bone securing means including a spherical shell articulating within a socket in the first bone, said shell including an inner spherical surface and an open circumferential end; b) second bone securing means for securing the prosthetic joint to a second bone of the biological joint, said second bone securing means including a femoral head and stem means connected with said femoral head for securing the prosthetic joint to the second bone; c) bearing means for connecting said second bone securing means with said first bone securing means, said bearing means including: i) a bearing insert having an outer spherical dome which engages with the inner spherical surface of said shell and an inner spherical surface which receives said femoral head for ball-and-socket movement therein, and ii) an insert rim positioned below said bearing insert, said insert rim including: A) an open circumferential end, B) an upper surface spaced from said bearing insert to define a guideway, and C) an inner annular ring surface, an annular recess being defined between said bearing insert and said inner ring surface of said insert rim, said inner ring surface including a lower ledge; and d) split spring ring means for retaining said femoral head in said bearing means, said split spring ring means including: i) an upper split lock ring section having a sliding section slidable within said guideway and an inner engaging surface biased into engagement with the femoral head when the femoral head is seated in said bearing means, and ii) a lower split lock ring section positioned for movement in said annular recess and engageable with said lower ledge of said inner ring surface when a pulling force is exerted between said first and second bone securing means to prevent removal of said femoral head from said bearing means.

Claim 47

An implantable prosthetic joint according to claim 34; wherein said inner annular ring surface includes at least one inner annular stepped portion.

Claim 48

An implantable prosthetic joint according to claim 34; wherein said upper lock ring section has a substantially L-shaped cross-sectional configuration with a first leg constituting said sliding section and a second leg including said inner arcuate surface.

Claim 49

An implantable prosthetic joint according to claim 36; wherein said lower lock ring section has a substantially L-shaped cross-sectional configuration with a first leg always in engagement with said second leg of said upper lock ring section and a second leg engageable with said lower ledge of said insert rim to prevent removal of said femoral head from said bearing means.

Claim 50

An implantable prosthetic joint according to claim 34; wherein said second bone securing means includes a longitudinal axis therethrough, and further including means for restraining movement of said upper lock ring section in a direction transverse to said longitudinal axis within said guideway and for permitting movement of said lower lock ring section in the direction of said longitudinal axis.

Claim 51

An implantable prosthetic joint according to claim 34; wherein said split spring ring means includes spring means for biasing said lower split lock ring section into a compressed condition.