Ceramtec Ag, Innovative Ceramic Engineering

Wilfried Von Chamier

Hans-Georg Pfaff

Paul Silberer

Ernst Hoch

Robert Rack

Kartmut Kalberer

Joint prostheses which have one joint partner configured as a socket and the other joint partner configured as a ball head generally consist of two components. The socket is comprised of a metallic outer cup in which an insertion cup made of ceramic material or of a biocompatible plastic is inserted. The shaft has a peg, the so-called cone, on which a ball head is placed. The press fit connection, especially so-called conical pressing, is used as a connection technique between the respective components. Stress can result in a relative movement between the components, thus leading to a wear-related loosening of the connection thereof. In order to solve this problem, the invention provides that, from the prosthetic components ( ), the component ( ) made of ceramic or plastic fitted with a covering ( ), said covering being made of a biocompatible metal or of a biocompatible metal alloy, on the pressing surface ( ) thereof via which said component ( ) is connected to the metal component ( ).

Press fit connection between prosthesis components of joint prostheses

Joint prostheses, in which one joint partner is formed as a socket and the other joint partner is formed as a spherical head which is rotatably mounted in the socket, are known in particular as shoulder-joint and hip-joint prostheses. The force-fit connection, in particular conical jamming, is also used here as the connecting technique between metallic or ceramic spherical heads and the cone. A coupling element ( ) is inserted between the cone ( ) and the spherical head ( ) of the force-fit connection ( ). The elasticity and damping properties of the coupling element ( ) can be predetermined by its porosity and the structure of its surface.

Press fit connection between prosthetic components of joint prostheses

A hip-joint socket of a hip-joint endoprosthesis is provided, in which the bearing shell of the socket that mounts the ball head of the shaft is made of a ceramic material. The bearing shell (,) of the hip-joint socket (,), in the region of its surface (,) with which it is inserted into the hip bone, is covered with a coating (,) that is made of a biocompatible metal or a biocompatible metal alloy.

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Stuttgart, Germany

Wilfried Von Chamier