Orthopedic prosthesis apparatus with improved taper locking connection
AssigneeSmith & Nephew Richards Inc.
InventorsKenneth P. Daigle, Mark E. Harbaugh
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An orthopedic joint prosthesis includes a prosthesis body with a pair of connectable components each having a connecting portion with a generally frustroconically shaped surface. One of the components has a projecting connecting portion and the other component has a socket connecting portion. The projecting connecting portion has a distal end and a proximal end with a generally circular end face. The void space can also be a socket. The void space defines a means for distributing stress between the proximal and distal end portions after the prosthesis body has been assembled by locking the socket and projecting portions together.
Claims8
An orthopedic joint prosthesis comprising:
- a) a prosthesis body that includes a pair of connectable components, each having a connecting portion with a generally frustroconically shaped connecting surface, a first of the components having a projecting connecting portion, and a second of the components having a socket connecting portion;
- b) the projecting connecting portion having a central longitudinal axis, a distal end portion and a proximal end, the proximal end having a generally circular end face;
- c) a groove communicating with the proximal circular face;
- d) wherein the groove is radially spaced from and circumferentially extending about the projecting portion axis, said groove enabling a distribution of stress between said proximal and distal end portions;
- e) wherein the groove extends from the circular end face a partial distance between the proximal and distal ends;
- and
- f) the projecting connecting portion frustroconically-shaped connecting surface extending farther from the end face than the groove.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.