Patent US5645606A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5645606A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Outer shell for an at least two-shell joint socket of a hip joint prosthesis
Assignee: Zimmer GmbH
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Filing: 1995-01-13
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Granted: 1997-07-08
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Expires: 2015-01-13
Abstract
Abstract The outer shell (5) comprises a plurality of through-holes (12) which are provided for the receipt of fastening elements (14) for the fastening of the outer shell (5) in a bone seat (4) and which are each provided with an inner counter-sink (25). The through-holes (12) which are free of fastening elements (14) are each provided with a sealing plug (15) which is insertable from the inside outwards and designed with a sealing surface supportable in and extending around the counter-sink (25). The sealing plug (15) comprises a number of spiral springs (18) which are insertable into the relevant through-hole (12) and form a snap connection with the wall of the through-hole (12), as well as a hat-like central projection (17) disposed separated from the spiral springs (18) which is provided with an inwardly open blind bore (17a) for the receipt of a placement tool (20) screwable into it. A reliable sealing off of the through-holes (12) is thus achieved and escape into the bone seat 4 of any rubbed-off particles produced within the outer shell 5 is prevented.
Inventors
- 👤 Jurg Oehy
- 👤 Kurt Bider
- 👤 Martin Schoch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 19:42
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/32; A61F2/34; A61F2/30721; A61F2/30744; A61F2/46; A61F2/4637; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30329; A61F2002/30331; A61F2002/30332; A61F2002/30405; A61F2002/30476; A61F2002/305; A61F2002/30535; A61F2002/30589; A61F2002/30594; A61F2002/30667; A61F2002/30682; A61F2/30767; A61F2/30771; A61F2002/30772; A61F2002/3079; A61F2002/30795; A61F2002/30797; A61F2002/3401; A61F2002/3403; A61F2220/00; A61F2220/0025; A61F2220/0033; A61F2310/00; A61F2310/00005; A61F2310/00011; A61F2310/00023
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
170 words
An outer shell for a joint socket of a hip joint prosthesis comprising: a shell body having inner and outer sides and a thickness therebetween, the shell body defining a plurality of through-holes extending from the inner to outer sides and being adapted to receive fastening elements for fastening the shell body in a bone seat, the through-holes each including a countersink facing the inner side of the shell body; and at least one closure plugs inserted into at least one of the through-holes from the inner sides of the shell body, the closure plugs each having a sealing surface supported in and extending around the countersink of the corresponding through-hole, the closure plugs each including a plurality of flexible springs inserted into the corresponding through-hole and protruding from the sealing surface towards the outer side of the shell body to form a snap connection between the closure plug and the corresponding through-hole, the closure plugs having a length less than or equal to the thickness of the shell body.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
170 words
An outer shell for a joint socket of a hip joint prosthesis comprising: a shell body having inner and outer sides and a thickness therebetween, the shell body defining a plurality of through-holes extending from the inner to outer sides and being adapted to receive fastening elements for fastening the shell body in a bone seat, the through-holes each including a countersink facing the inner side of the shell body; and at least one closure plugs inserted into at least one of the through-holes from the inner sides of the shell body, the closure plugs each having a sealing surface supported in and extending around the countersink of the corresponding through-hole, the closure plugs each including a plurality of flexible springs inserted into the corresponding through-hole and protruding from the sealing surface towards the outer side of the shell body to form a snap connection between the closure plug and the corresponding through-hole, the closure plugs having a length less than or equal to the thickness of the shell body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The outer shell of claim 1 wherein the countersinks of the through-holes each have a dome shape defined by a substantially spherical support surface, the closure plugs each being defining a spherical edge portion seated on a corresponding spherical support surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
The outer shell of claim 1 wherein the closure plugs each comprise a central projection spaced from the flexible springs and protruding towards the outer side of the outer shell, the central projections each defining an inner bore opening inwardly for receiving a driver part of a placement tool.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The outer shell of claim 3 wherein the bore is provided with a thread.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The outer shell of claim 1 wherein the flexible springs comprise individually movable finger-like wall segments of the closure plug.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
58 words
The outer shell of claim 3 wherein the through-holes further define an outer countersink formed adjacent the outer side of the outer shell, the inner and outer countersinks defining a locally narrowed circumferential part therebetween, wherein the flexible springs each include an end portion inserted into the outer countersink and a groove corresponding to the narrowed circumferential part.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
173 words
A hip joint prosthesis comprising: an inner shell adapted for receiving a joint head; and an outer shell comprising: a shell body having inner and outer sides and a plurality of through-holes extending therethrough and being adapted to receive fastening elements for fastening the shell body in a bone seat, the shell body having a thickness from the inner to outer sides and the through-holes each including a countersink facing the inner side; and at least one closure plugs inserted into at least one of the through-holes from the inner sides of the shell body, the closure plugs each having a sealing surface supported in and extending around the countersink of the corresponding through-hole, the closure plugs each including a plurality of flexible springs inserted into the corresponding through-hole and protruding from the sealing surface towards the outer side of the shell body to form a snap connection between the closure plug and the corresponding through-hole, the closure plugs having a length less than or equal to the thickness of the shell body.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
173 words
A hip joint prosthesis comprising: an inner shell adapted for receiving a joint head; and an outer shell comprising: a shell body having inner and outer sides and a plurality of through-holes extending therethrough and being adapted to receive fastening elements for fastening the shell body in a bone seat, the shell body having a thickness from the inner to outer sides and the through-holes each including a countersink facing the inner side; and at least one closure plugs inserted into at least one of the through-holes from the inner sides of the shell body, the closure plugs each having a sealing surface supported in and extending around the countersink of the corresponding through-hole, the closure plugs each including a plurality of flexible springs inserted into the corresponding through-hole and protruding from the sealing surface towards the outer side of the shell body to form a snap connection between the closure plug and the corresponding through-hole, the closure plugs having a length less than or equal to the thickness of the shell body.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
209 words
An outer shell for a joint socket of a hip joint prosthesis comprising: a shell body having inner and outer sides and a plurality of through-holes extending therethrough and being adapted to receive fastening elements for fastening the shell body in a bone seat, the shell body having a thickness from the inner to outer sides and the through-holes each including a countersink facing the inner side; and one or more closure plugs inserted into one or more of the through-holes from the inner sides of the shell body, the closure plugs each having a sealing surface supported in and extending around the countersink of the corresponding through-hole, the closure plugs each including a plurality of flexible springs inserted into the corresponding through-hole and protruding from the sealing surface towards the outer side of the shell body to form a snap connection between the closure plug and the corresponding through-hole, the closure plugs having a length less than or equal to the thickness of the shell body, the closure plugs each comprising a central projection spaced from the flexible springs and protruding towards the outer side of the outer shell, the central projections each defining an inner bore opening inwardly for receiving a driver part of a placement tool.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
209 words
An outer shell for a joint socket of a hip joint prosthesis comprising: a shell body having inner and outer sides and a plurality of through-holes extending therethrough and being adapted to receive fastening elements for fastening the shell body in a bone seat, the shell body having a thickness from the inner to outer sides and the through-holes each including a countersink facing the inner side; and one or more closure plugs inserted into one or more of the through-holes from the inner sides of the shell body, the closure plugs each having a sealing surface supported in and extending around the countersink of the corresponding through-hole, the closure plugs each including a plurality of flexible springs inserted into the corresponding through-hole and protruding from the sealing surface towards the outer side of the shell body to form a snap connection between the closure plug and the corresponding through-hole, the closure plugs having a length less than or equal to the thickness of the shell body, the closure plugs each comprising a central projection spaced from the flexible springs and protruding towards the outer side of the outer shell, the central projections each defining an inner bore opening inwardly for receiving a driver part of a placement tool.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-07-07 | 2001-01-06 | 2001-07-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-07-07 | 2005-01-06 | 2005-07-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-07-07 | 2009-01-06 | 2009-07-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |