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:
Sep. 28, 1999
Filed:
Dec. 12, 1997
Audrey M Beckman, Warsaw, IN (US);
Paul D Schoenle, South Bend, IN (US);
James F Smith, Goshen, IN (US);
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, New York, NY (US);
Abstract
In the subject invention, the articulating component includes a metal tray and a polyethylene bearing molded or otherwise connected to the metal tray. The distal surface of the metal tray, the surface in contact with the tibial component, is highly polished and is substantially flat. The proximal surface of the tibial component, the surface in contact with the articulating component, is likewise highly polished and substantially flat. In use, the two highly polished flat surfaces provide an environment wherein the articulating surface may freely move relative to the tibial component as the patient's knee joint is flexed and extended during movement.