Femoral head resurfacing apparatus and methods
OwnerRobert Evansinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A femoral head resurfacing apparatus includes a cap of hemispherical shape and stabilization structure (e.g., one or more non-shear fixation bars) that inserts into slots cut into the femoral head, so that the cap remains substantially immovable other than due northerly. A method of resurfacing the femoral head of a hip joint includes removing longitudinal slots or holes of bone in the femoral head, and attaching a hemispherical cap to the head, the cap having non-shear fixation bars or other stabilizing structure for mating engagement with the slots or holes.
Claims15
Femoral head resurfacing apparatus, comprising
- a cap of substantially hemispherical shape;
- a center post for insertion into a center hole in the femoral head, the center post forming one or more grooves;
- and
- stabilizing structure for insertion into one or more corresponding holes in the femoral head, the stabilizing structure comprising one or more dowels, each dowel configured to fit into a corresponding groove;
- wherein the cap remains substantially immovable other than due northerly.
A method for capping a femoral head with a shell, comprising the steps of:
- drilling a central hole in the femoral head;
- forming one or more additional openings in the femoral head;
- inserting a centering post of the shell into the central hole;
- and
- inserting stabilizing structure, which is formed monolithically with the centering post, into the one or more additional openings to prevent migration of the shell.
Femoral head resurfacing apparatus, comprising:
- a cap of substantially hemispherical shape;
- a centering post for insertion into a central hole in the femoral head;
- and
- fins, extending from the centering post, for insertion into one or more corresponding openings in the femoral head;
- wherein the cap remains substantially immovable other than due northerly.
A method for capping a femoral head with a shell, comprising the steps of:
- drilling a central hole in the femoral head;
- drilling one or more secondary holes in the femoral head such that each of the secondary holes adjoins the central hole;
- inserting, for each of the one or more secondary holes, a corresponding dowel into a corresponding groove formed by a centering post of the shell;
- inserting the centering post into the central hole;
- and
- inserting each corresponding dowel into each of the one or more secondary holes, to prevent migration of the shell.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.