Method and apparatus for joint fluid decompression and filtration with

Abstract

Apparatus and methods involving the use of a prosthetic low pressure reservoir for joint fluid and removal of particulate debris from arthritic joints or joints containing artificial, man-made prostheses. The apparatus filters the fluid and traps any particles therein, thus removing them from the periprosthetic space. A communication is created between a space continuous with the articular surfaces of a joint and a separate extraarticular space. The apparatus connects the space continuous with the articular surfaces of the joint to a fluid reservoir located in the extraarticular space. The reservoir contains means for fluid filtration and particle trapping. The extraarticular location of the reservoir is at a lower pressure than the intraarticular space. Increases in intraarticular joint fluid pressure during normal joint activities will cause fluid and particulate debris to preferentially flow into the low pressure reservoir. In this manner, intraarticular fluid pressures are reduced, joint fluid is filtered, and the particulate and/or solute species are collected in the device while joint fluid either diffuses into the extraarticular space or is recycled back into the joint. The device may be implanted at the same time as or any time after a joint is replaced by a prosthesis. This device may also be incorporated as a fixed feature of an implant/bearing combination.