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:
Mar. 02, 2004
Filed:
Nov. 12, 1999
Michael A. Wack, Warsaw, IN (US);
Arnold-Peter C. Weiss, Barrington, RI (US);
D. Steven Block, Warsaw, IN (US);
Austin W. Mutchler, Warsaw, IN (US);
DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc., Warsaw, IN (US);
Abstract
A modular elbow prosthesis includes a humeral and ulnar components and three bearing components. The ulnar component includes a stem and a body including a slot. Two of the three bearing components include flanges that mate with the slot of the ulnar component. The humeral component includes a stem and two arms extending from one end of the stem. An opening is formed in each arm and in two of the three bearing components. The modular elbow may be used in an unconstrained mode by attaching one bearing component to the ulnar component and the other to the humeral component by inserting a pin through the openings in the arms and the bearing component. The two bearing components are then placed adjacent each other such that they articulate about their bearing surfaces. Alternatively, the prosthesis can be utilized in a constrained mode by positioning the flange of the third bearing component in the slot on the ulnar component and positioning the third bearing component between the arms of the humeral component and inserting a pin through the openings in the arms of the third component. In another alternative embodiment, one bearing component may surround a portion of the other bearing component. The components may be joined by a pin to form a constrained elbow prosthesis. In one embodiment, two of the bearing surfaces are configured to permit axial rotation without becoming disengaged. In other embodiments, the various components may be held together by a taper lock.