Stabilized prosthetic knee

Claim 2

An implantable prosthetic device forming a knee joint between a femur and a tibia, comprising: first fixation means adapted for fixation to the femur; a first bearing surface on said first fixation means, said first bearing surface including at least two, convex, laterally adjacent, arcuate bearing portions of differing radii; second fixation means adapted for attachment to the tibia; a second bearing surface on said second fixation means, said second bearing surface lying in a plane generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said second fixation means; and a bearing element between said first bearing surface and said second bearing surface and having a complementary concave surface on one side for engaging the first bearing surface and an opposite surface for communicating with said second bearing surface so as to allow at least one of relative anterior-posterior movement, medial-lateral movement and rotational movement, said bearing element further including means for inhibiting disarticulation between said bearing element and said first bearing surface.

Claim 3

A prosthetic device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for inhibiting disarticulation comprises a posterior stabilization member disposed adjacent an anterior surface of said bearing element, said posterior stabilization member operable for inhibiting disarticulation between said first bearing surface and said bearing element.

Claim 4

A prosthetic device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for inhibiting disarticulation is operable for being in proximity with a portion of said first bearing surface during a substantial range of flexion.

Claim 5

A prosthetic device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said first bearing surface includes a cam, and wherein said posterior stabilization member is disposed in close proximity to said cam during flexion of greater than approximately 71/2°, whereby minor disarticulation between said first bearing surface and said bearing element causes engagement of said posterior stabilization member with said cam.

Claim 6

A prosthetic device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said first bearing surface includes a cam, and wherein said posterior stabilization member is in area contact with said cam during a substantial range of flexion.

Claim 7

A prosthetic device as claimed in claim 5 wherein said posterior stabilization member is in area contact with said cam during flexion of greater than approximately 71/2°.

Claim 8

A prosthetic device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for inhibiting disarticulation comprises an anterior stabilization member disposed adjacent a posterior surface of said bearing element, said anterior stabilization member operable for inhibiting disarticulation between said first bearing surface and said bearing element.

Claim 9

A prosthetic device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said bearing element includes an engagement device, and wherein said second fixation means includes means operable for engagement with said engagement device.

Claim 10

A prosthetic device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second fixation means includes a recess, and wherein said bearing element includes a post operable for inserted rotatable engagement within said recess.

Claim 11

A prosthetic device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second fixation means includes a recess, and wherein said bearing element includes a post operable for inserted floating engagement within said recess.

Claim 12

A prosthetic device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first bearing surface has a pair of condylar portions, each condylar portion including two laterally spaced apart condyloid elements defined by laterally spaced, arcuate segments of different radii.

Claim 13

A prosthetic device as claimed in claim 11 wherein each condyloid element within a condylar portion has a different axis of rotation.

Claim 14

A prosthetic device as claimed in claim 11 wherein each condylar portion includes an inner condyloid element and an outer condyloid element, each inner condyloid element operable for being in area contact with a concave surface of said bearing element during a substantial range of flexion, and each outer condyloid element operable for being in area contact with a concave surface of said bearing element during a substantial range of flexion.

Claim 15

A prosthetic device as claimed in claim 11 wherein each condylar portion includes an inner condyloid element and an outer condyloid element, each inner condyloid element operable for being in area contact with a concave surface of said bearing element from approximately -6° of flexion to approximately 71/2° of flexion, and each outer condyloid element operable for being in area contact with a concave surface of said bearing element beyond approximately 71/2° of flexion.

Claim 16

A prosthetic device as claimed in claim 13 wherein the area contact between said bearing element and each inner condyloid element represents a first region of sliding contact and the area contact between said bearing element and each outer condyloid element represents a second region of sliding contact, and wherein said first region of sliding contact intersects said second region of sliding contact at approximately 71/2° of flexion.

Claim 17

A prosthetic device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for inhibiting disarticulation includes a longitudinally protruding surface operable for engaging a corresponding longitudinal recess disposed upon said first bearing surface.

Claim 18

A prosthetic device as claimed in claim 16 wherein the longitudinal recess is disposed within a cam upon said first bearing surface.

Claim 19

A prosthetic device as claimed in claim 16 wherein the longitudinally protruding surface is in sliding area contact with said longitudinal recess from approximately -6° of flexion to approximately 71/2° of flexion.

Claim 20

A prosthetic device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first bearing surface includes a longitudinally protruding surface operable for engaging a corresponding longitudinal recess disposed upon said means for inhibiting disarticulation.

Claim 21

A prosthetic device as claimed in claim 19 wherein the longitudinally protruding articulation surface is disposed within a cam upon said first bearing surface.

Claim 22

A prosthetic device as claimed in claim 20 wherein the longitudinally protruding articulation surface is in sliding area contact with said longitudinal recess from approximately -6° of flexion to approximately 71/2° of flexion.

Claim 23

A prosthetic device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the means for inhibiting disarticulation includes at least one concave surface operable for sliding area contact with at least one condyloid element disposed upon said first bearing surface throughout a substantial range of flexion.

Claim 24

An implantable prosthetic device performing a joint between a pair of human or animal bones, comprising: a femoral component adapted for fixation to a femur; a first bearing surface on said femoral component, said first bearing surface including a pair of condylar portions, each condylar portion including an inner condyloid element and an outer condyloid element of differing radii; a tibial component adapted for fixation to a tibia; a second bearing surface on said tibial component, said second bearing surface lying in a plane generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said tibial component; and a bearing element between said first bearing surface and said second bearing surface and having a complementary concave surface on one side for engaging the first bearing surface and an opposite surface for communicating with said second bearing surface so as to allow at least one of relative anterior-posterior movement, medial-lateral movement and rotational movement, wherein each inner condyloid element is operable for being in sliding area contact with a concave surface of said bearing element through a substantial range of flexion, and each outer condyloid element is operable for being in area contact with a concave surface of said bearing element through a substantial range of flexion, wherein said bearing element further includes at least one of an anterior stabilization member and a posterior stabilization member operable to inhibit disarticulation between said bearing element and said first bearing surface, and wherein said posterior stabilization member is operable for being in sliding area contact with a cam upon said first bearing surface through a substantial range of flexion.

Claim 25

An implantable prosthetic device performing a joint between a pair of human or animal bones, comprising: a femoral component adapted for fixation to a femur; a first bearing surface on said femoral component, said first bearing surface including a pair of condylar portions, each condylar portion including an inner condyloid element and an outer condyloid element of differing radii; a tibial component adapted for fixation to a tibia; a second bearing surface on said tibial component, said second bearing surface lying in a plane generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said tibial component; and a bearing element between said first bearing surface and said second bearing surface and having a complementary concave surface on one side for engaging the first bearing surface and an opposite surface for communicating with said second bearing surface so as to allow at least one of relative anterior-posterior movement, medial-lateral movement and rotational movement, wherein each inner condyloid element is operable for being in sliding area contact with a concave surface of said bearing element through a substantial range of flexion, and each outer condyloid element is operable for being in area contact with a concave surface of said bearing element through a substantial range of flexion, wherein said bearing element further includes at least one of an anterior stabilization member and a posterior stabilization member operable to inhibit disarticulation between said bearing element and said first bearing surface, and wherein said posterior stabilization member is operable for being in sliding area contact with a cam upon said first bearing surface through a substantial range of flexion.

Claim 26

A prosthetic device as claimed in claim 23 wherein at least one of said posterior stabilization member and said anterior stabilization member includes a longitudinally protruding surface operable for engaging a corresponding longitudinal recess disposed upon said first bearing surface.

Claim 27

A prosthetic device as claims in claim 23 wherein said first bearing surface further includes a longitudinally protruding surface for engaging a corresponding longitudinal recess disposed upon at least one of said posterior stabilization member and said anterior stabilization member.