Tibial prosthesis convertible in vivo to a modular prosthesis removal of permanently secured primary bearing
AssigneeBiomet Manufacturing, LLC
InventorsRobert G. Metzger, Stanley E. Asnis
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A nonmodular tibial prosthesis having a retainer for a modular bearing on the superior surface of a tibial base, a nonmodular primary bearing directly molded to the base, and a mechanical release member mounted on the tibial base in contact with the nonmodular primary bearing. The release member includes a wedge portion with a superiorly posteriorly inclined face, and is designed to be driven anteriorly upon actuation so as to force the primary bearing off of the tibial base, after which the primary bearing and release member are removed and replaced with a modular bearing.
Claims15
A tibial prosthesis convertible in vivo to a modular device, comprising:
- a tibial base having a modular bearing retainer on its superior surface at a posterior edge thereof, said retainer including a raised portion with a groove in a centrally facing surface thereof;
- a primary bearing molded to said tibial base;
- and
- means mounted on said tibial base for forcibly removing said primary bearing from said tibial base substantially in one piece without disturbing said tibial base.
A tibial prosthesis convertible in vivo to a modular device, comprising:
- a tibial base having means for retaining a modular bearing thereon;
- a primary bearing secured to said tibial base without an auxiliary mechanical locking element;
- and
- release means mounted on said tibial base for forcing said primary bearing away from said tibial base without disturbing said tibial base.
A tibial prosthesis convertible in vivo from an initial nonmodular device configuration to a modular device configuration in which said prosthesis has a detachable bearing, said tibial prosthesis comprising:
- a tibial base having a retainer on its superior surface for detachably retaining a modular bearing;
- and
- a primary bearing permanently secured to said tibial base in the nonmodular device configuration, said permanently secured primary bearing being unremovable from said tibial base in vivo without damage to said primary bearing in the process of removal,
- wherein said prosthesis is adapted for a change in configuration, while implanted, from the nonmodular configuration to the modular configuration without disturbing the fixation of said tibial base.
A tibial prosthesis convertible in vivo from an initial nonmodular device configuration to a modular device configuration in which said prosthesis has a detachable bearing, said tibial prosthesis comprising:
- a tibial base having a retainer at the periphery of its superior surface for detachably retaining a modular bearing, said peripheral retainer having a raised portion with a groove in an inwardly facing surface thereof;
- and
- a primary bearing permanently secured to said tibial base in the nonmodular device configuration, said permanently secured primary bearing being unremovable from said tibial base in vivo without damage to said primary bearing in the process of removal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.