Prosthesis interface surface and method of implanting

Abstract

An improved prosthesis interface surface is incorporated on any implantable component where stable long lasting bone fixation is needed. The surface achieves immediate stabilization of the prosthetic component and promotes bony tissue ingrowth by either making the surface of a porous metal or ceramic or coating the surface of the interface surface with a porous metal or ceramic. In the preferred embodiment, the surface includes a large number of conical protrusions which are specifically designed to resist shear and torsional disruptive forces while accommodating the compression loads that occur during motion of a joint prosthesis. By utilizing a series of conical protrusions, the surface contact area of the interface surface is much greater than interface surfaces now in use and this large surface contact area improves stability and provides a large area for secure bony ingrowth fixation. The improved prosthesis interface surface of the present invention may be used in hip, knee, ankle and shoulder joint replacement components as well as in any other implant component which is to be secured in trabecular bone. Additionally, the interface surface may be used to implant artificial dentures and for bony insertions of artificial ligaments and tendons. In another aspect of the present invention, a method of implanting artificial joints utilizing the improved prosthesis interface surface includes, in one embodiment, the use of a drill guide, and in another embodiment, a pilot driver.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.