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:
Aug. 17, 1999
Filed:
Oct. 31, 1997
Jorge Lopez, Oxnard, CA (US);
Steve Van der meulen, Zephyr Hills, FL (US);
Sulzer Orthopedics Inc., Austin, TX (US);
Abstract
An implantable orthopedic prosthesis is provided that includes a shell having a substantially concave inner surface defining a cavity and a substantially annular groove formed therein. The prosthesis further includes a polymeric insert that is positionable within the cavity of the shell, and that has a substantially convex outer surface and a circumferential protrusion projecting therefrom. The protrusion has a substantially trapezoidal cross-section wherein at least one of the sides of the trapezoid is substantially parallel to the axis of symmetry of the insert. The cross-section of the protrusion is substantially congruent to the cross-section of the groove of the shell, and the inner surface of the shell is substantially congruent with a corresponding portion of the outer surface of the insert when the insert is properly positioned within the cavity of the shell.