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US 2013/0211529 A1Published application
Joint augmentation implant and applications thereof
AssigneeSoftjoint Corporation
InventorsJohn T. Frauens, Phillip M. Leopold, Tanner Hargens
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The disclosure relates to a joint augmentation implant in the form of an elastomeric polymer cap for the ball portion of a ball and socket joint such as a hip or shoulder. The cap is adapted to swell in the presence of synovial fluid and to supplement or replace native cartilage. The disclosure also relates to methods of use of the joint augmentation implant.
Claims18
A joint augmentation implant for mammalian ball and socket joints comprising:
- a hollow polymeric cap formed at least in part from a polymer adapted to swell upon absorption of synovial fluid;
- wherein the hollow polymeric cap comprises a distal region having the general form of a spherical cap, a generally cylindrical proximal neck region, and an intermediate region comprising a generally spherical segment therebetween;
- further wherein at least a portion of the hollow polymeric cap within the combined regions having the general form of a spherical cap and the intermediate region having the general form of a spherical segment comprises an exterior articulating region and a bone contacting region.
A method of installing an intra-articular joint augmentation implant as artificial cartilage in a ball and socket joint to be restored comprising:
- forming a hollow polymeric cap formed at least in part from a polymer adapted to swell upon absorption of synovial fluid, said hollow polymeric cap comprising a distal region having the general form of a spherical cap, a generally cylindrical proximal neck region, and an intermediate region comprising a generally spherical segment therebetween,
- wherein the hollow polymeric cap within the combined regions having the general form of a spherical cap and the intermediate region comprises an exterior articulating region and a bone contacting region;
- hydrating the hollow polymeric cap;
- surgically exposing the head of the ball of the ball and socket joint through an access wound;
- installing the hollow polymeric cap over the head of the ball of the ball and socket joint;
- repositioning the capped head of the ball of the ball and socket joint within the socket of the ball and socket joint with the hollow polymeric cap interposed between the ball of the ball and socket joint and the socket of the ball and socket joint;
- and
- surgically closing the access wound.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.