Depuy Orthopaedics, Inc.

Depuy

Depuy Products, Inc.

Boehringer Mannheim Gmbh

Depuy Synthes Products, Inc.

Osteonics Corp.

Donald E McNulty

Todd Smith

David C Kelman

Richard S King

John E Hamm

John R Moreland

Richard R Van Zile

Robert E Richard

Rodney E Satterthwaite

Daniel L Anderson

Daniel N Huff

Steven R Leisinger

Christopher G Sidebotham

Rodney N Satterthwaite

Alan M Lombardo

James Caywood

An assembly tool for assembly of a first component of a prosthesis to a second component of the prosthesis for use in joint arthroplasty. The tool includes a first member operably associated with the first component and defines a first member longitudinal axis thereof. A second member is operably associated with the second component and defines a second member longitudinal axis thereof. A washer system is coupled to the second member. A drive mechanism is coupled to washer system, such that as the drive mechanism is activated, the washer system rotates about the second member longitudinal axis and expands along the second member longitudinal axis, wherein such movement further causes the second member to move relative to the first member along the second member longitudinal axis.

Spiral assembly tool

An implantable prosthetic bearing is constructed of a composite material having a first layer and second layer. The first layer has an articulating surface defined therein, whereas the second layer has a engaging surface defined therein for engaging either another prosthetic component or the bone itself The first layer of the implantable prosthetic bearing is constructed of crosslinked polymer such as Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene, whereas the second layer of the implantable prosthetic bearing is constructed of polymer such as Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene that is either non-crosslinked or crosslinked to a lesser degree than the first layer. In such a manner, the first layer possesses mechanical properties which are advantageous in regard to the articulating surface (e.g., enhanced wear and oxidation resistance), whereas the second layer possesses mechanical properties which are advantageous in regard to the engaging surface (e.g., high ductility, toughness, and creep resistance). A method of making a prosthetic bearing is also disclosed.

Composite prosthetic bearing having a crosslinked articulating surface and method for making the same

An implantable prosthetic bearing is constructed of a composite material having a first layer and second layer. The first layer has an articulating surface defined therein, whereas the second layer has a engaging surface defined therein for engaging either another prosthetic component or the bone itself. The first layer of the implantable prosthetic bearing is constructed of a polymer such as polyethylene or UHMWPE, whereas the second layer is constructed of a copolymer of ethylene and an acrylate. The ethylene portion of the copolymer provides for adhesion to the polymer of the first layer, whereas the acrylate portion of the copolymer provides for adhesion to commonly utilized bone cements. A method of making a prosthetic bearing is also disclosed.

Composite prosthetic bearing constructed of polyethylene and an ethylene-acrylate copolymer and method for making the same

A process for forming an oriented orthopaedic implant prosthesis bearing, net-shape bearing, or near net-shape bearing includes the step of placing an irradiated UHMWPE preform or puck of a volume sufficient to accommodate the bearing in a compression mold and compression molding the irradiated preform. The molding is accomplished by applying heat and pressure to form the preform into a desired shape. The compression molding induces biaxial orientation in the formed bearing.

Oriented, cross-linked UHMWPE molding for orthopaedic applications

A method is provided for forming a plastic prosthesis bearing, net-shape bearing, near net-shape bearing or plastic stock from which such a bearing can be formed. The method includes the steps of providing plastic resin in powdered form, subjecting the powdered resin to irradiation to cross-link the resin, and molding the irradiated powder. The irradiated powder is molded by applying heat and pressure to form the powder into a desired solid plastic shape, the heating being sufficient to melt the powder.

Cross-linked molded plastic bearings

A method for forming a plastic prosthesis bearing, net-shape bearing or near net-shape bearing is provided. The method includes providing a cross-linked plastic resin preform in a volume sufficient to accommodate the bearing and molding the cross-linked preform. The molding is accomplished by applying heat and pressure to form the preform into a desired solid plastic shape. The heating and pressure is sufficient to melt the plastic resin so that the plastic resin flows under pressure and quench remaining free-radicals.

Method for molding a cross-linked preform

An alignment guide for positioning a saw guide at a predetermined position on the distal femur is placed on the femur and receives an intramedullary rod inserted in the femur. The guide has an arm for coupling the saw guide block. The guide includes an intercondylar saddle that engages the intercondylar notch of the femur to align the saw guide at a predetermined position proximal to the intercondylar notch.

Alignment guide for a bone cutting block

A sizing assembly for determining the optimum size of a femoral component of a knee prosthesis is placed against the resected distal end of a femur. The assembly includes a body with a flat surface for contacting the resected surface of the femur and feet for engaging the femoral condyles. The assembly further includes a pivoted stylus that slides in the body and engages the anterior femoral cortex. Once the size of the femoral component is determined, a drill bushing corresponding to the femoral component is supported on the body. The drill bushing includes two apertures for guiding a drill to bore pilot holes in the resected femur.

Apparatus for sizing a femoral component

A prosthesis is provided for replacing a bone surface. The prosthesis includes an implant having a surface for abutting a bone, and an augment configured to be attached to the surface of the implant by bone cement to compensate for bone loss. The augment is formed to include an aperture therein defined by an inner wall. The prosthesis also includes a plastic peg coupled to the implant. The peg is configured to enter the aperture formed in the augment and to engage the inner wall of the augment to retain the augment in a spaced apart relation relative to the implant to permit the implant to be installed onto the bone before the bone cement cures. Alternately, the surface of the implant is formed to include an aperture therein, and a plastic retaining ring located in the aperture formed in the surface of the implant. A metal peg is coupled to the augment. The metal peg is configured to enter the aperture formed in the implant and to engage the plastic retaining ring therein to retain the augment in a spaced apart relation relative to the implant.

Orthopedic implant augmentation and stabilization device

The invention relates to a method for reconstructing a femoral portion of a knee in a total knee replacement, the distal end of which has medial and lateral condyles and an intercondylar notch therebetween defining a distal patellar groove for the articulation of the patella with the femur during flexion of the knee. The method comprising the steps of:

Method for installing a femoral component

A knee prosthesis is provided including a tibial component having first and second generally concave bearing surfaces and a stabilizing post extending upwardly between the first and second bearing surfaces. The knee prosthesis also includes a femoral component having first and second spaced apart, convexly curved condyle bearing surfaces and a cam surface extending between the first and second bearing surfaces. The femoral component is articulatable with the tibial component between an extended position and a flexed position. The first and second femoral bearing surfaces engage the first and second tibial bearing surfaces, respectively, at first and second contact points. Between the extended position and about a 25.degree. flexion angle, the cam surface is spaced apart from a posterior side wall of the stabilizing post to permit movement of the femoral and tibial component as natural physiology dictates. As the knee prosthesis is flexed at about a 25.degree. flexion angle, the cam surface first engages the posterior side wall of the stabilizing post to control movement of the femoral component relative to the tibial component. Therefore, the stabilizing post engages the cam surface to control the position of the femoral component relative to the tibial component only upon flexion of the femoral and tibial component between about 25.degree. flexion and the flexed position.

Knee prosthesis

A modular prosthetic system for mounting a variety of styles of wedges to a tibial tray in order to correct for bone deficiencies, alternatively, in the anterior/posterior direction and in the medial/lateral direction. The wedge is mounted on the tibial tray before the system is implanted. The tibial tray has a pair of spaced transverse smooth bores and coaxial counterbores and the wedge has a pair of spaced transverse threaded bores which are aligned, respectively, with the smooth bores and counterbores when the wedge is mounted on the tibial tray. Cannulated screws having a head, threaded shank, and longitudinal bore are attached so as to extend through an associated bore and counterbore, then are threadedly engaged with the wedge. A bone screw is then received through the bore of the cannulated screw for implanting the system on the proximal end of the tibia. Mating spherical surfaces, respectively, on the cannulated screw and on the bone screw enable the bone screw to attain an optimal orientation. In the event the system is to be implanted solely with cement rather than with screws, plugs are used to seal the bores in the cannulated screws.

Tibial wedge system

A knee prosthesis system includes a tibial component having a tray element, a femoral component having laterally spaced apart condylar elements, a modular bearing member for being selected and seated within the tray element of the tibial component to provide a bearing support for the condylar elements of the femoral component for operation of the knee prothesis, the bearing member including an eminence projecting superiorly for reception between the condylar elements of the femoral component to provide controlled restraint against excessive relative movement between the femoral component and the tibial component, including control of the anterior-posterior portions of the relative movement, and a stabilizing post within the eminence for reinforcing and stabilizing the eminence against forces exerted upon the eminence during operation of the knee prosthesis.

Growing community of inventors

Warsaw, IN, United States of America

Donald E McNulty