Prosthesis (i.e. – artificial body members) – parts thereof – or ai – Ear or nose prosthesis
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-02
2001-03-13
Milano, Michael J. (Department: 3738)
Prosthesis (i.e., artificial body members), parts thereof, or ai
Ear or nose prosthesis
C433S173000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06200345
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to medical and dental attachment devices and more particularly to attachment devices utilizing a locking of self holding taper for use with medical orthopedic and dental osseointegration applications, such as spinal prosthetics or appendages, for example, toes, thumbs, ears, eyes and the like, and dental implants as well as non-osseointegrated, subcutaneous medical uses, for example, pump systems, catheters, and the like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is known that prosthetic appendages, such as toes, thumbs, ears, eyes and the like, can be attached to a bone by using one of more attachment devices in the form of implants surgically positioned in recesses formed in the bone. One known system uses a type of implant having a threaded bore which is adapted to receive a threaded post of an abutment. The abutment in turn mounts the prosthesis. Although considerable success has been achieved with this system there is an inherent problem in that there is a certain space which must be provided between the male and female threads of a threaded system to which endotoxins and bacteria can find access.
This problem can be greatly diminished by using a locking or self holding taper arrangement for the implant bore and post member since a tighter fit is obtained. Such an arrangement is disclosed for dental applications in U.S. Pat. No. 4,738,623, the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by this reference. In recent years this system has come into wide use. In accordance with the patent, a dental implant of root member is surgically positioned within the mandibular of maxillary alveolar bone of a patient and, after healing, is fitted with a tooth-simulating prosthesis or crown. The root member is formed of biocompatible material, such as titanium, and is provided with multiple, outwardly extending fins to promote osseointegration with the alveolar bone. The implant is provided with a bore having a locking taper extending through the crestal end thereof. A permanent abutment member having a post portion, also formed with a locking taper, is mounted on the implant. The abutment member has an upstanding exterior surface adapted for mounting the prosthesis crown or denture and a basal portion having a spherical surface which extends through the gingiva and alveolar crest toward the implant.
Even though a tighter fit is obtained with a locking taper arrangement as described above, due to manufacturing tolerances it is possible for the taper of the post and the bore to be such that locking engagement occurs at the distal end of the post with the inner part of the bore thereby leaving a small annular crease available for endotoxins and/or bacteria cultures at the mouth of the implant. Due to the nature of the vascular supply of the mouth this phenomenon is not normally of great concern however, it is a significant concern where the application involves going through the epidermis.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a medical and dental attachment system having an improved bacterial and endotoxin seal for osseointegration members, such as dental implants and body appendages as well as non-osseointegrated subcutaneous medical uses. Another object is the provision of medical and dental attachment devices which overcome the above noted prior art limitations.
Briefly described, a system for anchoring a component in a living body made in accordance with the invention comprises a first member having a bore through a crestal end and a second member having a post section receivable in the bore where both the bore and the post are formed with a locking or self holding taper of a selected angle along a major portion of the length of the bore and post section and a minor portion of the length of one of the bore and post section having a different angle selected to cause an interference fit thereby providing a bacterial and endotoxin seal between the first and second members. The first member is preferably formed with a narrow annular rim circumscribing the bore, the rim having a thickness at its distal end portion as little as approximately 0.25 mm. The minor portion, having a seal portion with a different angle, is approximately 1 mm in length. In one embodiment, the minor portion is located contiguous to the entrance to the bore and has an angle less than the taper angle of the major portion of the bore. In another embodiment, the minor portion is located on the post section and has a seal angle greater than the taper angle of the major portion of the post section. When used in osseointegration applications the first member is formed with an outer surface configuration which includes structure to promote osseointegration, such as outwardly extending fins.
Additional objects, advantages and features of the novel and improved attachment system of this invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will be obvious from the description.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4738623 (1988-04-01), Driskell
patent: 5549475 (1996-08-01), Duerr
patent: 5556280 (1996-09-01), Pelak
DIRO, Inc.
Haug John A.
Milano Michael J.
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