Prosthesis (i.e. – artificial body members) – parts thereof – or ai – Implantable prosthesis – Bone
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-27
2001-09-04
Snow, Bruce (Department: 3738)
Prosthesis (i.e., artificial body members), parts thereof, or ai
Implantable prosthesis
Bone
C623S020150, C623S902000, C128S898000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06284001
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a joint prosthesis for joint replacement and especially a prosthesis for joint replacement of a finger or toe.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Surgically implantable prosthetic replacement devices are known in the art for replacement of joints in the hand or foot as well as elsewhere on the body. Often times these replacement devices are necessary as a result of accidents or diseases such as arthritis. It is desirable to provide a finger or toe prosthesis that imitates the natural range of movement of the replaced finger or toe, that allows slight twisting and lateral movement, but does not allow the joint to move in an unnatural way.
Another concern of a joint prosthesis is the potential failure of the device. Because of the small sized parts used in previous joint prosthesis, and especially when using metal, interfacing the prosthesis with the adjoining bones has been difficult. As a result, fatigue failures have occurred. It is therefore desirable to provide a joint prosthesis made of durable material compatible with human tissue and configured to minimize failure and to allow for replacement of the joint secondary to wear.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the intent of the current invention to address the aforementioned concerns. The prosthesis of the current invention duplicates the natural joint of a finger or a toe. The prosthesis includes a pair of intermedulary implants having a ball and socket combination therebetween. The two intermedulary implants/portions are inserted and anchored into the long shanks of the bone on either side of a faulty joint. Each intermedulary portion has a threaded end which is driven into the adjoining shanks of bone. A specialized driver is provided to screw the threaded ends into the shanks. The specialized driver has a head having a configuration corresponding to the exposed surface of each intermedulary portion to prevent slippage of the driver during insertion or removal of the implant. The bone and tissue surrounding the intermedulary implants may be allowed to heal within the patient with a temporary occupier filling the void of the faulty joint before insertion of the ball and socket configuration. The occupier may also provides a passive exerciser during the healing process to control movement of the surrounding muscles to prevent atrophy. Once the healing process is complete, the occupier is removed and the ball and socket configuration is then inserted to provide the necessary movement for the joint.
The socket has a generally hollow spherical configuration having a surface portion that corresponds and complements the exposed surface area of the intermedulary portions. The complementary surfaces provide a means for the surgeon or physician to incrementally adjust the socket relative to the intermedulary portion during the surgical installation of the ball and socket to provide correct relative positioning of the socket so that natural movement of the joint is realized. Once the socket is aligned to the intermedulary portion, a retaining screw secures the socket to the first intermedulary portion.
The socket has an open slot through the wall of the spherical body for access into the hollow interior by the ball member. The ball member is configured to enter the hollow interior through the slot in one direction and rotate within the hollow interior to confine the ball member therein. Once the ball member is captured within the hollow interior of the socket, another retaining screw secures the ball member to the second intermedulary implant. The ball member then has pivotal movement within the socket so that the second intermedulary implant pivots relative to the first intermedulary implant. The socket and ball member combination also includes a limiting means to limit the movement of the joint prosthesis to the natural movement of a finger or toe.
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Snow Bruce
Young & Basile P.C.
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