Endoprosthetic bone joint devices

Abstract

Endoprosthetic metacarpal phalangeal joint devices are well known in various forms including unitary flexible structures for connection between the bones, and others with separate phalangeal and metacarpal components for respective bone connection and inter-engagement or connection for mutual articulation in a hinge action. All such devices are applied individually to respective joints and can tend to fail due to conditions leading to ulnar drift. It is now proposed that this tendency be obviated by mechanically interconnecting a plurality of devices of the latter form in the hand, suitably by use of a common hinge pin. The pin preferably has slight longitudinal curvature to pass through the natural joint centers. The phalangeal components preferably each have a socket for bone connection and a stem for axle connection, the stem being slidably and rotatably received in the socket to accomodate torsional loading.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.