Femoral component for knee prosthesis

Claim 2

A femoral component for a knee prosthesis adapted to cooperate with an insert attached to a tibial plateau anchored at the upper end of a tibia, the femoral component adapted to be anchored at a lower end of a femur, the femoral component comprising: a first lateral condyle; a second lateral condyle; and an intercondylar space disposed between the first and second condyles for receiving a third removably fixed condyle; wherein the third condyle is configured to be selectively removed from the intercondyle space while the femoral component remains moveably engaged with the tibial plateau, the third condyle being configured to provide posterior stabilization of the prosthesis during flexion between the tibia and the femur when the posterior cruciate ligament is no longer able to substantially perform its function.

Claim 3

The femoral component of claim 1 , wherein the first condyle comprises a lateral face having at least one opening and the second condyle comprises a lateral face having at least one opening, the openings being substantially aligned with one another and adapted to receive a device for securing the third condyle within the intercondylar space.

Claim 4

The femoral component of claim 2 , wherein the third condyle comprises at least one through opening for receiving the device.

Claim 5

The femoral component of claim 3 , wherein the device comprises a screw having threads which engage one of the first and second lateral condyles.

Claim 6

The femoral component of claim 2 , further comprising at least two openings on the lateral face of each of the first and second condyles.

Claim 7

The femoral component of claim 5 , wherein the third condyle comprises at least two through openings for receiving the device.

Claim 8

The femoral component of claim 6 , wherein the device comprises a screw having threads which engage one of the first and second lateral condyles.

Claim 9

The femoral component of claim 1 , wherein the third condyle comprises first and second lateral faces which are substantially parallel to one another and a semi-cylindrical surface which is substantially perpendicular to one of the first and second lateral faces.

Claim 10

The femoral component of claim 8 , wherein the third condyle further comprises at least one protuberance disposed on each of the first and second lateral faces.

Claim 11

The femoral component of claim 9 , wherein the first condyle comprises a lateral face having at least one opening, the second condyle comprises a lateral face having at least one opening, and the third condyle comprises at least one through opening which extends from the first lateral face to the second lateral face, the openings being substantially aligned with one another and adapted to receive a device for securing the third condyle within the intercondylar space.

Claim 12

A femoral component for a knee prosthesis adapted to cooperate with an insert attached to a tibial plateau anchored at the upper end of a tibia, the femoral component adapted to be anchored at a lower end of a femur, the femoral component comprising: a first lateral condyle; a second lateral condyle; an intercondylar space disposed between the first and second condyles; and a third condyle substantially disposed within the intercondylar space and removably fixed to at least one of the first and second condyles; wherein the third condyle is configured to be selectively removed from the femoral component when the femoral component moveably engages the tibial plateau.

Claim 13

A femoral component for a knee prosthesis adapted to cooperate with an insert attached to a tibial plateau anchored at the upper end of a tibia, the femoral component adapted to be anchored at a lower end of a femur, the femoral component comprising: a first lateral condyle; a second lateral condyle; an intercondylar space disposed between the first and second condyles; and a third condyle substantially disposed within the intercondylar space and removably fixed to at least one of the first and second condyles; wherein the third condyle is configured to be selectively removed from the femoral component when the femoral component moveably engages the tibial plateau.

Claim 14

The femoral component of claim 11 , wherein the first condyle comprises a lateral face having at least one opening and the second condyle comprises a lateral face having at least one opening, the openings being substantially aligned with one another and adapted to receive at least one securing device.

Claim 15

The femoral component of claim 12 , wherein the third condyle comprises at least one through opening for receiving the at least one securing device.

Claim 16

The femoral component of claim 13 , wherein the at least one securing device comprises a screw having threads which engage one of the first and second lateral condyles.

Claim 17

The femoral component of claim 13 , further comprising at least two openings on the lateral face of each of the first and second condyles, at least two through openings on the third condyle, and at least two securing devices for connecting the first, second, and third condyles via the through openings.

Claim 18

The femoral component of claim 15 , wherein each of the at least two securing devices comprises a screw having threads which engage one of the first and second lateral condyles.

Claim 19

The femoral component of claim 11 , wherein the third condyle further comprises a first and a second lateral face, each of the first and second lateral faces comprising a protuberance.

Claim 20

A femoral component for a knee prosthesis adapted to cooperate with a tibial component which is anchored at the upper end of a tibia, the femoral component adapted to be anchored at a lower end of a femur and comprising: a first lateral condyle comprising a femur engaging surface and a curved surface for moveably engaging the tibial component; a second lateral condyle comprising a femur engaging surface and a curved surface for moveably engaging the tibial component; an intercondylar space disposed between the first and second condyles; and a removable third condyle at least partially disposed within the intercondylar space; wherein the third condyle comprises a curved surface for moveably engaging the tibial component and a femur facing surface, the femur facing surface being disposed adjacent the femur when the third condyle is secured to the femoral component and wherein the third condyle is configured to be selectively removed from the intercondyle space while the femoral component remains moveably engaged with the tibial plateau.

Claim 21

A femoral component for a knee prosthesis adapted to cooperate with a tibial component which is anchored at the upper end of a tibia, the femoral component adapted to be anchored at a lower end of a femur and comprising: a first lateral condyle comprising a femur engaging surface and a curved surface for moveably engaging the tibial component; a second lateral condyle comprising a femur engaging surface and a curved surface for moveably engaging the tibial component; an intercondylar space disposed between the first and second condyles; and a removable third condyle at least partially disposed within the intercondylar space; wherein the third condyle comprises a curved surface for moveably engaging the tibial component and a femur facing surface, the femur facing surface being disposed adjacent the femur when the third condyle is secured to the femoral component and wherein the third condyle is configured to be selectively removed from the intercondyle space while the femoral component remains moveably engaged with the tibial plateau.

Claim 22

The femoral component of claim 18 , wherein the first condyle comprises a lateral face having at least one opening and the second condyle comprises a lateral face having at least one opening, the openings being substantially aligned with one another and adapted to receive at least one securing device.

Claim 23

The femoral component of claim 19 , wherein the third condyle comprises at least one through opening for receiving the at least one securing device.

Claim 24

The femoral component of claim 20 , wherein the at least one securing device comprises a screw having threads which engage one of the first and second lateral condyles.

Claim 25

The femoral component of claim 20 , further comprising at least two openings on the lateral face of each of the first and second condyles, at least two through openings on the third condyle, and at least two securing devices for connecting the first, second, and third condyles via the through openings.

Claim 26

The femoral component of claim 22 , wherein each of the at least two securing devices comprises a screw having threads which engage one of the first and second lateral condyles.

Claim 27

The femoral component of claim 18 , wherein the third condyle further comprises a first and a second lateral face, each of the first and second lateral faces comprising a protuberance.