# US 11,331,192 B2 · Frictionless hip joint

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- Number: US 11,331,192 B2
- Document ID: US11331192B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/828,594
- Filed: 2020-03-24
- Published: 2020-07-16
- Granted: 2022-05-17
- Earliest claimed: 2017-04-28
- Assignees: Noel Raels Ortho Devices Incorporated
- Applicants: Hector Noel
- Inventors: Hector Noel
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11331192B2

## CPC

- A61F 2/3609: {Femoral heads or necks; Connections of endoprosthetic heads or necks to endoprosthetic femoral shafts (A61F2/3601 takes precedence)}
- A61L 27/3604: {characterised by the human or animal origin of the biological material, e.g. hair, fascia, fish scales, silk, shellac, pericardium, pleura, renal tissue, amniotic membrane, parenchymal tissue, fetal tissue, muscle tissue, fat tissue, enamel}
- A61F 2/32: for the hip
- A61F 2/34: Acetabular cups
- A61L 27/36: containing ingredients of undetermined constitution or reaction products thereof {, e.g. transplant tissue, natural bone, extracellular matrix (isolated natural compounds, e.g. collagen A61L27/24)}
- A61L 27/50: Materials characterised by their function or physical properties {, e.g. injectable or lubricating compositions, shape-memory materials, surface modified materials}
- A61F 2002/30639: {having rolling elements between both articulating surfaces}
- A61F 2002/3483: {having a convex shape, e.g. hemispherical heads}
- A61F 2002/3615: {having a concave shape, e.g. hemispherical cups}
- A61F 2002/3625: {Necks}
- A61F 2002/365: {Connections of heads to necks}
- A61F 2002/3652: {Connections of necks to shafts}
- A61F 2250/0069: Sealing means
- A61F 2310/00041: Magnesium or Mg-based alloys
- A61F 2310/00047: Aluminium or Al-based alloys
- A61F 2310/00083: Zinc or Zn-based alloys
- A61F 2310/00389: The prosthesis being coated or covered with a particular material
- A61L 2400/10: Materials for lubricating medical devices
- A61L 2430/24: for joint reconstruction
- A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C)
- A61L: METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES (preservation of bodies or disinfecting characterised by the agents employed A01N; preserving, e.g. sterilising, food or foodstuffs A23; preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes A61K)

## Abstract

An orthopedic prosthesis includes a head which internally accommodates the major motion of a patient, e.g., during walking, thereby reducing wear against a cup or liner. A neck may be utilized which rotates within the distal member about an axis aligned with the major motion of the patient. The orthopedic prosthesis may also include a sacrificial anode, a seal made of natural fibers, and utilize lubricant made of honey.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An orthopedic hip prosthesis comprising:
a prosthetic femoral neck sized and configured to be fixedly connected to a femur of a patient, the prosthetic femoral neck including a cylindrical axle extending from a proximal end and a femoral shank extending from a distal end, said axle defining an outer circumferential surface;
a prosthetic femoral head configured to be rotationally connected to said prosthetic femoral neck, said prosthetic femoral head comprising a cylindrical recess defining an inner circumferential surface, wherein the axle of the prosthetic femoral neck is rotationally engaged within the recess of the prosthetic femoral head;
a plurality of ball bearings positioned on a proximal end of the neck between said outer circumferential surface of said axle and said inner circumferential surface of said recess, said plurality of ball bearings disposed to restrict translational movement of said prosthetic femoral neck relative to said prosthetic femoral head, said plurality of ball bearings being retained inside an annular retention channel;
a plurality of roller bearings positioned between said outer circumferential surface of the axle and said inner circumferential surface of the recess, the plurality of roller bearings disposed to support rotational movement between the prosthetic femoral head and the prosthetic femoral neck; and
a naturally occurring, bio-compatible lubricant disposed within said orthopedic hip prosthesis between said cylindrical recess and said cylindrical axle, wherein said naturally occurring, bio-compatible lubricant comprises bee honey,
wherein said annular retention channel is disposed proximally of said plurality of roller bearings on said neck,
wherein said prosthetic femoral head and said prosthetic femoral neck are configured to accommodate coaxial motion of a hip joint.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

An orthopedic hip prosthesis as recited in claim 1 further comprising a bearing passage, said bearing passage in communication with said annular retention channel at one end.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

An orthopedic hip prosthesis as recited in claim 2 wherein the other end of said bearing passage is disposed in communication with a distal side of said neck.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

An orthopedic hip prosthesis as recited in claim 1 further comprising a seal disposed circumferentially about said neck, distally of said plurality of roller bearings on said neck.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

An orthopedic hip prosthesis as recited in claim 4 wherein said seal is comprised of naturally occurring fibers.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

An orthopedic hip prosthesis as recited in claim 5 wherein said seal swells to tolerance when wet.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

An orthopedic hip prosthesis as recited in claim 5 wherein said seal is comprised of leather.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

An orthopedic hip prosthesis as recited in claim 1 further comprising a sacrificial anode disposed in communication with at least one of said neck and said head.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

An orthopedic hip prosthesis as recited in claim 1 further comprising an aluminum fastener disposed within the neck on a proximal end thereof.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

An orthopedic hip prosthesis as recited in claim 1 wherein said honey comprises Manuka honey.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

An orthopedic hip prosthesis as recited in claim 1 wherein said honey contains at least 20 milligrams of methylglyoxal per kilogram of said honey.