Multi-component prosthesis with increased wall flexibility and segmented locking ridge to facilitate component assembly

A joint prosthesis comprising first and second components dimensioned and configured to be assembled in interengaged relationship, said first and second components respectively define a liner and a cup, said liner being removably engaged with said cup, said cup and said liner each defining segmented open shells defined by a plurality of non-parallel intersecting cutting surfaces, a groove being formed in said cup generally parallel to a first of said cutting surfaces thereof, said liner comprising a plurality of spaced apart elongated ridges which are independently resiliently deflectable relative to one another and relative to remaining portions of said liner, said ridges being generally arcuate and extending outwardly from said liner for engagement with the groove of said cup in the assembled condition of said joint prosthesis, whereby said arcuate ridges are independently flexible to facilitate engagement and disengagement of said liner and cup.

A joint prosthesis comprising an acetabular cup and a bearing liner engaged in said cup, said cup and said liner each being substantially spherically generated and being formed to define open shells having face edges substantially surrounding the openings to said shells, said acetabular cup comprising a generally annular groove extending generally radially outwardly in said acetabular cup and generally parallel to the face edge thereof, said bearing liner comprising an outer surface and a plurality of elongated locking ridges extending less than completely around the outer surface of the spherically generated liner, each said locking ridge including a longitudinal side disposed outwardly from said outer surface of said bearing liner and engaged in the groove of said acetabular cup, said ridges being independently resiliently deflectable relative to one another and relative to said outer surface of said bearing liner, said locking ridges having a radius selected to cause said ridges to be deflected radially inwardly relative to said outer surface of said bearing liner when said bearing liner is engaged is said acetabular cup, whereby the independent resilient deflectability of the ridges facilitates assembly of the bearing liner and the acetabular cup.

A joint prosthesis comprising first and second components, each said component defining a segmented open shell having a plane of symmetry, said first and second components each being defined by a first planar cutting surface substantially perpendicular to said plane of symmetry, a second planar cutting surface substantially perpendicular to said plane of symmetry and in nonparallel relationship to said first planar cutting surface, and at least one cutting surface extending between and connecting said first and second planar cutting surfaces, said second component comprising a groove formed therein and extending generally parallel to the first planar cutting surface thereof, said first component comprising a plurality of resiliently deflectable ridges extending generally parallel to the first planar cutting surface, the ridges of said first component being disposed to engage the groove of said second component for retaining said first and second components in interengaged relationship.