The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 20, 1999
Filed:
Apr. 02, 1997
Daniel E Williamson, Warsaw, IN (US);
Jane Sheetz, Round Rock, TX (US);
Richard Craig Blaschke, South Glamorgan, GB;
Biomet, Inc., Warsaw, IN (US);
Abstract
This invention relates to an apparatus and method for plugging holes in an acetabular shell component. The apparatus includes an acetabular shell component having an inner concave surface and an outer convex surface with at least a first selectively pluggable hole passing therethrough. The first selectively pluggable hole being defined by at least a cylindrical threaded sidewall. The apparatus further includes a plug having a tapered threaded sidewall. The cylindrical threaded sidewall of the first selectively pluggable hole threadably receives the tapered threaded sidewall of the plug to create an interference fit. This interference fit substantially seals the first selectively pluggable hole to minimize migration of debris through the first selectively pluggable hole. The apparatus further includes a second selectively pluggable hole and a removal instrument which is operable to removably engage a second plug without scratching the inner concave surface of the acetabular shell component during the removal of the second plug.