Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
A modular, bone-preserving, conservative resurfacing arthroplasty ball and socket joint implant, comprising the following components: a ceramic and monolithic cupped ball head, said head having a generally semispherical, smooth external bearing surface and an inner support body with an inferior, deep, distally facing surface having an outer boundary thereto, said support body having a distally opening stem receiving bore centrally located therein; a part of said bearing surface and an inner surface defining a cup wall, extending distally from said support body from said outer boundary of said distally facing surface; and a stem, which is an elongated member having a distally directed spike, and a proximal stem cap, which is insertable into said bore of said head; wherein: said stem cap, is insertably and frictionally attached to said stem bore.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
A modular, bone-preserving, conservative resurfacing arthroplasty ball and socket joint implant, comprising the following components: a ceramic and monolithic cupped ball head, said head having a generally semispherical, smooth external bearing surface and an inner support body with an inferior, deep, distally facing surface having an outer boundary thereto, said support body having a distally opening stem receiving bore centrally located therein; a part of said bearing surface and an inner surface defining a cup wall, extending distally from said support body from said outer boundary of said distally facing surface; and a stem, which is an elongated member having a distally directed spike, and a proximal stem cap, which is insertable into said bore of said head; wherein: said stem cap, is insertably and frictionally attached to said stem bore.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The joint implant of claim 1, wherein the external bearing surface of said head has a low friction coefficient; said bore and stem cap have a tapered connection; and the joint implant is a hip joint implant.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The joint implant of claim 2, wherein said head has a minimum diameter of about 38 mm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The joint implant of claim 3, wherein said bore and said stem cap are provided with Morse tapers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The joint implant of claim 4, wherein said distally facing surface of the support body is planar, terminating in a chamfered outer edge; said bore is centrally located in the support body; and said cup wall has a cylindrical surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The joint implant of claim 1, further comprising a head-receiving articular cup.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The joint implant of claim 2, further comprising a head-receiving acetabular cup.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
90 words
A ceramic cupped ball joint head component for a modular, bone-preserving, conservative, resurfacing arthroplasty, ball and socket joint implant, said head component comprising a generally semispherical, low friction, smooth external bearing surface and an inner support body with an inferior, deep, distally facing surface having a substantially circular outer boundary thereto; a distally opening stem receiving bore centrally located in the support body; a part of said bearing surface and an inner surface defining a cup wall, extending distally from said support body from said outer boundary of said surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
90 words
A ceramic cupped ball joint head component for a modular, bone-preserving, conservative, resurfacing arthroplasty, ball and socket joint implant, said head component comprising a generally semispherical, low friction, smooth external bearing surface and an inner support body with an inferior, deep, distally facing surface having a substantially circular outer boundary thereto; a distally opening stem receiving bore centrally located in the support body; a part of said bearing surface and an inner surface defining a cup wall, extending distally from said support body from said outer boundary of said surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
45 words
The head of claim 8, wherein said distally facing surface of said support body is generally planar; said cup wall is substantially cylindrical; the stem receiving bore is radially symmetrical and has a Morse taper, and the ball and socket joint is a hip joint.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
58 words
A stem for a modular, bone-preserving conservative, resurfacing arthroplasty, ball and socket joint implant, said stem comprising a distally directed, elongated spike insertable into suitable bone stock; and a superiorly connected stem cap, tapering inwardly in a superior direction, which is insertable into a stem bore of a corresponding cupped ball joint head for said modular joint implant.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
58 words
A stem for a modular, bone-preserving conservative, resurfacing arthroplasty, ball and socket joint implant, said stem comprising a distally directed, elongated spike insertable into suitable bone stock; and a superiorly connected stem cap, tapering inwardly in a superior direction, which is insertable into a stem bore of a corresponding cupped ball joint head for said modular joint implant.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
The stem of claim 10, which is a femoral component wherein the spike is configured for intramedullary insertion through a resected neck of a human femur, and the ball and socket joint implant is a hip joint.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
10 words
The stem of claim 11, wherein the spike is curved.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
10 words
The stem of claim 11, wherein the spike is straight.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The stem of claim 10, wherein the stem is made of metal or metal alloy.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The stem of claim 11, wherein the stem is made of metal or metal alloy.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The stem of claim 12, wherein the stem is made of metal or metal alloy.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
The stem of claim 13, wherein the stem is made of metal or metal alloy.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The stem of claim 15, wherein said superior stem cap defines a Morse taper.