Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
299 words
A patello-femoral prosthesis system for replacing articulating surfaces of a patello-femoral joint, the prosthesis system comprising: a patellar component dimensioned and arranged to be attached to a surface of a patella and dimensioned and arranged for facing a surface of a femur, the patellar component comprising: a disc-shaped attachment piece including a plurality of pegs on a patellar surface thereof for insertion into a patella; and a bearing piece attached to a femoral surface of the attachment piece and presenting a smooth, convex surface; and an elongate femoral prosthesis arranged for attachment to a patellar surface of a femur and dimension for replacing a trochlear groove thereof, the femoral prosthesis comprising: an outer surface for facing a patella, the outer surface bearing a shallow, cross-sectionally arcuate indentation running the length of the outer surface parallel to a long axis of a femur when the femoral prosthesis is attached thereto; out-turned lips forming longitudinal edges of the outer surface of the femoral prosthesis; a proximal end spaced from a tibial end of a femur when the femoral prosthesis is attached thereto, the proximal end bearing an insertable peg for attaching the femoral prosthesis to a femur and preventing accidental loosening; and a distal end near a tibial end of a femur when the femoral prosthesis is attached thereto, the distal end forming a downturned edge to keep the bearing piece of the patellar component from becoming trapped; a convex inner surface sized to fit an enlarged trochlear groove; and at least two projecting vanes, spreading apart and non-parallel cross-sectionally, borne on the inner surface, running a length thereof and arranged and dimensioned to fit slots cut in a femur, for ensuring permanent adhesion of the femoral prosthesis by directly contacting bone when the femoral prosthesis is affixed to a femur.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
299 words
A patello-femoral prosthesis system for replacing articulating surfaces of a patello-femoral joint, the prosthesis system comprising: a patellar component dimensioned and arranged to be attached to a surface of a patella and dimensioned and arranged for facing a surface of a femur, the patellar component comprising: a disc-shaped attachment piece including a plurality of pegs on a patellar surface thereof for insertion into a patella; and a bearing piece attached to a femoral surface of the attachment piece and presenting a smooth, convex surface; and an elongate femoral prosthesis arranged for attachment to a patellar surface of a femur and dimension for replacing a trochlear groove thereof, the femoral prosthesis comprising: an outer surface for facing a patella, the outer surface bearing a shallow, cross-sectionally arcuate indentation running the length of the outer surface parallel to a long axis of a femur when the femoral prosthesis is attached thereto; out-turned lips forming longitudinal edges of the outer surface of the femoral prosthesis; a proximal end spaced from a tibial end of a femur when the femoral prosthesis is attached thereto, the proximal end bearing an insertable peg for attaching the femoral prosthesis to a femur and preventing accidental loosening; and a distal end near a tibial end of a femur when the femoral prosthesis is attached thereto, the distal end forming a downturned edge to keep the bearing piece of the patellar component from becoming trapped; a convex inner surface sized to fit an enlarged trochlear groove; and at least two projecting vanes, spreading apart and non-parallel cross-sectionally, borne on the inner surface, running a length thereof and arranged and dimensioned to fit slots cut in a femur, for ensuring permanent adhesion of the femoral prosthesis by directly contacting bone when the femoral prosthesis is affixed to a femur.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The prosthesis system of claim 1, wherein at least the inner surface and vanes of the femoral prosthesis are constructed of a biocompatible material that promotes union to bone.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The prosthesis system of claim 1, wherein the insertable peg is of a self-locking design so that it cannot become loosened after being once locked in place.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
172 words
A patello-femoral prosthesis for replacing a femoral surface of a patello-femoral joint and dimensioned and arranged for replacing a trochlear groove, the prosthesis comprising: an elongate member comprising: an outer surface facing a patella when the prosthesis is in use, the outer surface bearing a shallow, cross-sectionally arcuate indentation running the length of the outer surface parallel to the long axis of a femur when the prosthesis is attached thereto; a proximal end spaced from a tibial end of a femur when the femoral prosthesis is attached thereto, the proximal end bearing an insertable peg for attaching the femoral prosthesis to a femur preventing accidental loosening; and an inner surface facing a femur when the prosthesis is attached thereto, the inner surface composed of biocompatible material, and sized to fit an enlarged trochlear groove; and at least two vanes, spreading apart and non-parallel cross-sectionally, projecting from the inner surface of the prosthesis, the vanes running substantially a length thereof, and constructed of a biocompatible material for ensuring adhesion by directly contacting bone.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
172 words
A patello-femoral prosthesis for replacing a femoral surface of a patello-femoral joint and dimensioned and arranged for replacing a trochlear groove, the prosthesis comprising: an elongate member comprising: an outer surface facing a patella when the prosthesis is in use, the outer surface bearing a shallow, cross-sectionally arcuate indentation running the length of the outer surface parallel to the long axis of a femur when the prosthesis is attached thereto; a proximal end spaced from a tibial end of a femur when the femoral prosthesis is attached thereto, the proximal end bearing an insertable peg for attaching the femoral prosthesis to a femur preventing accidental loosening; and an inner surface facing a femur when the prosthesis is attached thereto, the inner surface composed of biocompatible material, and sized to fit an enlarged trochlear groove; and at least two vanes, spreading apart and non-parallel cross-sectionally, projecting from the inner surface of the prosthesis, the vanes running substantially a length thereof, and constructed of a biocompatible material for ensuring adhesion by directly contacting bone.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The prosthesis of claim 4, wherein the biocompatible material of the inner surface and the vanes is cobalt-chromium alloy.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The prosthesis of claim 4, wherein the insertable peg is of a self-locking design so that it cannot become loosened after being once inserted.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The prosthesis of claim 4, wherein the indentation is surrounded by a substantially flat out-turned lip for preventing a patellar prosthesis from overrunning a longitudinal edge of the femoral prosthesis.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The prosthesis of claim 4, wherein the prosthesis also bears a downturned distal end for preventing a patellar prosthesis from overrunning the distal end of the femoral prosthesis.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
244 words
A prosthesis for insertion into a femur to replace a femoral surface of a patello-femoral joint, the prosthesis being an elongate member comprising: an outer surface facing a patella when the prosthesis is inserted into a femur, the outer surface bearing a shallow, cross-sectionally arcuate indentation running the length of the outer surface parallel to a long axis of a femur when the prosthesis is inserted therein, the indentation being surrounded by a substantially flat outturned lip for preventing a patellar prosthesis from overrunning a longitudinal edge of the femoral prosthesis; a proximal end spaced from a tibial terminus of a femur when the prosthesis is inserted therein, the proximal end bearing an insertable locking peg for attaching the prosthesis to a femur and preventing accidental loosening; and a downturned distal end, opposite the proximal end, for preventing a patellar prosthesis from overrunning the distal end of the femoral prosthesis; an inner surface facing a femur when the prosthesis is inserted into a femur, the inner surface composed of biocompatible titanium, and sized and arranged to slide longitudinally into a groove cut in a trochlear region of a femur; and two vanes, spreading apart and non-parallel to each other cross-sectionally, projecting from the inner surface of the prosthesis, the vanes running substantially a length thereof, and constructed of a biocompatible titanium for ensuring orientation of the prosthesis by fitting into slots cut in a femur and adhesion of the prosthesis by directly contacting bone.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
244 words
A prosthesis for insertion into a femur to replace a femoral surface of a patello-femoral joint, the prosthesis being an elongate member comprising: an outer surface facing a patella when the prosthesis is inserted into a femur, the outer surface bearing a shallow, cross-sectionally arcuate indentation running the length of the outer surface parallel to a long axis of a femur when the prosthesis is inserted therein, the indentation being surrounded by a substantially flat outturned lip for preventing a patellar prosthesis from overrunning a longitudinal edge of the femoral prosthesis; a proximal end spaced from a tibial terminus of a femur when the prosthesis is inserted therein, the proximal end bearing an insertable locking peg for attaching the prosthesis to a femur and preventing accidental loosening; and a downturned distal end, opposite the proximal end, for preventing a patellar prosthesis from overrunning the distal end of the femoral prosthesis; an inner surface facing a femur when the prosthesis is inserted into a femur, the inner surface composed of biocompatible titanium, and sized and arranged to slide longitudinally into a groove cut in a trochlear region of a femur; and two vanes, spreading apart and non-parallel to each other cross-sectionally, projecting from the inner surface of the prosthesis, the vanes running substantially a length thereof, and constructed of a biocompatible titanium for ensuring orientation of the prosthesis by fitting into slots cut in a femur and adhesion of the prosthesis by directly contacting bone.