Sulzer Brothers Limited

Sulzer Medizinaltechnik Ag

Norbert Gschwend

Rudolf Koch

Heinrich Scheier

Andre Bahler

The invention shows a patella prosthesis, which consists of an artificial slide member (2) made from polyethylene with sliding surface (3), with the slide member (2) being mounted on the rear of the patella (1) by means of an attachment. The sliding surface (3) consists of the sector of a polyethylene sphere, which comprises a metal grid (4) of an attachment member (9). The attachment member consists of a metal sandwich construction having a central support sheet and metal grids (4, 6) spot welded on both sides, with bevelled sheet metal flanges (7) for the primary attachment of the support sheet (5) protruding through recesses (8) in the metal grid (6) on the side of the patella.

Patella prosthesis

When the knee bends, the condyle-like bearing surfaces of the femur part of the prosthesis slide on the tibia-like rolling surfaces of the tibia part. The motion is guided by a web of the tibia part which engages in a fork-like mounting of the femur part. The web has a head which has a cylindrical shape to slide on a corresponding cylindrical section formed by a member mounted in the femur part. Web and mounting are preferably made of metal whereas the member in the femur part is made of another material, preferably, a moulded plastics member.

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Zurich, Switzerland

Norbert Gschwend