Prosthetic bearing with encapsulated reinforcement
AssigneeDeput Products, Inc.
InventorsRama Rao V. Gundlapalli, Mark Heldrerth, Todd Smith, Albert Burstein
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A joint prosthesis has a first component for cooperation with a first long bone, a second component for cooperation with a second long bone, and a bearing component positionable between said first component and said second component. The bearing component includes a reinforcing component and a polymeric material completely encapsulating the reinforcing component and molded thereto. The bearing component may be sterilized by a predominately surface sterilizing technology.
Claims22
A joint prosthesis, comprising:
- a first component for cooperation with a first long bone;
- a second component for cooperation with a second long bone;
- and
- a bearing component positionable between said first component and said second component and cooperable therewith, said bearing component including a reinforcing component having a first end and a second end thereof and a polymeric material completely encapsulating the reinforcing component and molded thereto, so that the bearing component may be sterilized by a predominately surface sterilizing technology.
A tibial bearing comprising a reinforcing component having a first end and a second end thereof and a polymeric material completely encapsulating the reinforcing component and molded thereto, so that the material may be sterilized by a predominately surface sterilizing technology.
A method of manufacturing a bearing component for use in joint arthroplasty and for cooperation with a first joint component and a second joint component, comprising the steps of:
- providing a reinforcing support;
- providing a molding die adapted for manufacturing the bearing component;
- providing a positioning member for cooperation with the reinforcing support and molding die;
- positioning the reinforcing support in a desired position within the molding die;
- maintaining the position of the reinforcing support with the positioning member in intimate contact with the reinforcing support;
- adding moldable polymeric material into the molding die;
- substantially surrounding the reinforcing support with the moldable material;
- heating and pressurizing the mold;
- removing the positioning member from the reinforcing support;
- allowing the polymeric material to replace the space occupied by the positioning member;
- removing the component from the molding die;
- and
- sterilizing the component by a predominantly surface sterilization technique.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.