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US 8,048,162 B2Granted
Lateral elbow prosthesis—proximal radioulnar joint
AssigneeAptis Medical, LLC
InventorsLuis Roman Scheker, Bryan Babb
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A proximal radioulnar joint (lateral elbow) prosthesis includes an ulnar brace member to be secured to the outer surface of the ulna bone. The ulnar brace member defines a bearing surface for supporting the radius. The prosthesis may also include a radial brace member which cooperates with the ulnar brace member.
Claims14
A proximal radioulnar joint prosthesis, comprising:
- an ulnar brace member having an upper end and a lower end, and including a substantially flat, downwardly-extending elongated portion defining an elongated abutment surface having a shape which conforms to the outer surface of the ulna bone near its proximal end;
- said ulnar brace member including a projection from said downwardly-extending elongated portion and defining a recess between the projection and the downwardly-extending elongated portion;
- wherein said projection has a curved outer surface portion and defines a curved radius-bone guide surface fixed relative to said elongated portion and positioned to be aligned with and to receive and support the proximal end of the radius bone for rotation relative to the ulnar brace member when the elongated portion is abutting and mounted on the proximal end of the ulna bone;
- means for mounting said ulnar brace member on a human ulna near the proximal end of the ulna such that the recess will receive the rear edge of the proximal radial notch of the ulna and the curved outer surface portion of the projection will fit into the proximal radial notch of the ulna while leaving the proximal ulna intact;
- and said ulnar brace member further including means for transmitting axial loads from the radius to the humerus.
2 more elements
A proximal radioulnar joint prosthesis, comprising:
- an ulnar brace member having an upper end and a lower end, and including a substantially flat, downwardly-extending elongated portion defining an elongated abutment surface having a shape which conforms to the outer surface of the ulna bone near its proximal end;
- said ulnar brace member defining a curved radius-bone guide surface fixed relative to said elongated portion and positioned to be aligned with and to receive and support the proximal end of the radius bone for rotation relative to the ulnar brace member when the elongated portion is abutting and mounted on the proximal end of the ulna bone;
- and said ulnar brace member further including means for transmitting axial loads from the radius to the humerus;
- wherein the curved radius bone guide surface is part of at least a partial ring which is positioned to at least partially encircle the proximal end of the radius when the ulnar brace member is mounted on the proximal end of the ulna bone.
1 more element
A method of installing a proximal radioulnar joint prosthesis, comprising the steps of:
- fixing an ulnar brace to the outer surface of the ulna bone of a patient near the proximal end of the ulna bone;
- and
- aligning said ulnar brace with the patient's radius bone so that the ulnar brace provides a bearing surface that supports the patient's radius bone;
- wherein said ulnar brace includes a base member and a cover, and including the step of assembling said cover and base member together to form a ring which encircles the radius bone adjacent its proximal end.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.