Reinforcing an orthopedic implant
OwnerJoon B. Parkinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An improved method for reinforcing a prosthetic implant and an implant product are provided. The method includes embedding a support structure in a bed of bone cement surrounding the distal end of a prosthetic device. The support structure counteracts hoop-stress imparted to the implant, decreases creep of the bone cement, and further reinforces the bone cement bed. In various embodiments, the support structure can be in the form of a metal coil, in the shape of a wire mesh, or in the design of a coil reinforced centralizer. Prior to being implanted, the support structure can be precoated with bone cement or can be prefabricated with a prosthetic device.
Claims18
A centralizing support structure for placement around the distal end of a prosthesis for counteracting hoop-stress, said support structure comprising:
- a coil made from a metallic wire adapted to be placed around the distal end of a prosthesis, said distal end of said prosthesis having an apex at which said distal end culminates, said coil being shaped generally to conform to the contours of said prosthesis;
- and
- at least two vertical columns enclosing pre-selected sections of said coil, said columns being spaced along the coil and converging radially toward the apex of the distal end of said prosthesis, said columns being made from a bone cement compatible material.
An implant product designed to counteract hoop-stress, said implant product comprising:
- a prosthetic device for implantation into a prepared area of the body, said prosthetic device including a stem adapted to be placed within a receiving site formed in a bone, said stem having a distal end and a proximal end, said distal end defining an opening;
- a centralizing support structure located about said distal end of said stem, said support structure comprising a metallic coil configured to surround said distal end of said prosthetic device and at least two vertical columns converging radially towards an apex of said distal end, said vertical columns being spaced along said coil, said support structure further including a centering pin configured to be inserted into said opening defined by said distal end of said prosthetic device.
A support structure for placement around at least the distal end of a prosthesis for counteracting hoop-stress, said support structure comprising:
- a coil made from a metallic wire adapted to be placed around the distal end of a prosthetic device, said coil being shaped generally to conform to the contours of said device;
- a precoat of a bone cement compatible material covering said coil, said precoat having a substantially pore free outer surface for subsequent bonding with a bone cement composition in which said coil is implanted;
- and
- at least two vertical columns enclosing preselected sections of said coil, said columns being made from a bone cement compatible material and being spaced at predetermined positions along said coil.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.