US 3,939,496 A · Endoprosthetic bone joint

Abstract

An endoprosthetic bone joint device developed for the elbow, but applicable elsewhere, has two hinge components respectively defining complementary first and second bearing surfaces for mutual articulatory engagement, and each apertured to define third bearing surfaces. When implanted the hinge components are first coupled by a further component passed through the apertures and defining fourth bearing surfaces to articulate with the third surfaces. At this stage all of the bearing surfaces are appropriately engaged and stabilization of the implantation securement is facilitated. Subsequently the coupling can be removed to reduce the effect of distraction stresses on the device. The first and second surfaces are suitably of spherical ball and socket form, and can be of a twinned form, while the third and fourth surfaces are suitably of circular cylindrical form extending diametrally through the ball and socket.

Claims4

Dependent claims

An endoprosthetic bone joint device comprising:

a first hinge component of forked form with two form arms similarly defining at their free end portions respective spherically-shaped ball bearing surfaces, and said arms being diametrally bored relative to said ball surfaces to define respective, coaxially aligned, concave, circular cylindrical bearing surfaces therethrough;
a second hinge component including a bearing part of generally T-shape with a cross-bar and stem, said cross-bar similarly defining at its free end portions respective spherically-shaped socket bearing surfaces in articulatory engagement with said ball surfaces, and said stem being bored to define a further concave circular cylindrical surface coaxially aligned with, and disposed between, the first-mentioned concave surfaces;
and
a hinge-coupling component defining a convex circular cylindrical surface located in articulatory engagement with said concave surfaces, said hinge-coupling component being releasably connected with said hinge components.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Endoprosthetic bone joint

Life of this patent

Endoprosthetic bone joint

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims4