Apparatus and method for advancing synovial fluid in a prosthetic joint

• US 20040111162A1
• Filed: 12/05/2002
• Published: 06/10/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Depuy Products Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Depuy Products Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Southworth, Carleton B.
• Granted Patent: US 7,144,427 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/22.13
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30721 Accessories
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30723 Plugs or restrictors for sealing a cement-receiving space tools for inserting plugs A61F2/4614; sealing collars for use during cementing A61B17/8808
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/32 for the hip
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/34 Acetabular cups
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/36 Femoral heads ; Femoral endoprostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/3609 Femoral heads or necks; Connections of endoprosthetic heads or necks to endoprosthetic femoral shafts A61F2/3601 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/3662 Femoral shafts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/367 Proximal or metaphyseal parts of shafts trochanteric devices connected to said proximal parts A61F2/30739
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/3676 Distal or diaphyseal parts of shafts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/38 for elbows or knees
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/40 for shoulders
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4202 for ankles
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4261 for wrists
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30322 differing in surface structures
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30332 Conically- or frustoconically-shaped protrusion and recess
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30474 using an intermediate sleeve interposed between both prosthetic parts to be coupled
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30563 having elastic means or damping means, different from springs, e.g. including an elastomeric core or shock absorbers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30566 Helical springs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30589 Sealing means
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30593 hollow
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30616 : Sets comprising a plurality of prosthetic parts of different sizes or orientations
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30673 : Lubricating means, e.g. synovial pocket
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30675 : Means for regulating synovial fluid pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30677 : Means for introducing or releasing pharmaceutical products, e.g. antibiotics, into the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30683 : Means for collecting wear particles in a hollow cavity inside the prosthesis
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30787 : inclined obliquely with respect to each other
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30827 : Plurality of grooves
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30939 : Means for modifying the geometry of articulating surfaces, e.g. for compensating excessive clearance caused by wear
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3613 : with lateral or oblique apertures, holes or openings
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3621 : pierced with a longitudinal bore
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3625 : Necks
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3647 : pierced with a longitudinal bore
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/365 : Connections of heads to necks
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/368 : with lateral apertures, bores, holes or openings, e.g. for reducing the mass, for receiving fixation screws or for communicating with the inside of a hollow shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3694 : with longitudinal bores
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4635 : using minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0025 : Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0033 : made by longitudinally pushing a protrusion into a complementary-shaped recess, e.g. held by friction fit
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0026 : differing in surface structures

Abstract

A prosthetic orthopaedic head has a fluid chamber defined therein. A fluid filter is positioned in the fluid chamber. In response to a load being exerted on the prosthetic head, synovial fluid is advanced through a filter thereby removing debris from the synovial fluid. A method of operating a prosthesis is also disclosed.

Claims

1. An orthopaedic prosthesis, comprising:

a head component having a chamber defined therein, and

a synovial fluid inlet valve positioned in the chamber.

2. The prosthesis of claim 1, further comprising a fluid filter configured and positioned to filter synovial fluid.

3. The prosthesis of claim 2, further comprising a synovial fluid inlet, wherein the fluid filter is fluidly interposed between the synovial fluid inlet and the synovial fluid inlet valve.

4. The prosthesis of claim 1, wherein the head component is constructed of a flexible material.

5. The prosthesis of claim 1, wherein the head component is constructed of a flexible metallic material.

6. The prosthesis of claim 1, further comprising a synovial fluid outlet valve positioned in the chamber.

7. The prosthesis of claim 6, wherein:

the synovial fluid inlet valve is positionable in an open valve position and a closed valve position,

the synovial fluid outlet valve is positionable in an open valve position and a closed valve position,

the head component is positionable in a flexed orientation and an unflexed orientation,

when the head component is positioned in the flexed orientation, (i) the synovial fluid inlet is positioned in its closed valve position, and (ii) the synovial fluid outlet valve is positioned in its open valve position, and

when the head component is positioned in the unflexed orientation, (i) the synovial fluid inlet is positioned in its open valve position, and (ii) the synovial fluid outlet valve is positioned in its closed valve position.

8. The prosthesis of claim 6, wherein:

the synovial fluid inlet valve is positionable in an open valve position and a closed valve position,

the synovial fluid outlet valve is positionable in an open valve position and a closed valve position,

when a load is exerted on the head component, (i) the synovial fluid inlet is positioned in its closed valve position, and (ii) the synovial fluid outlet valve is positioned in its open valve position, and

when the load is removed from the head component, (i) the synovial fluid inlet is positioned in its open valve position, and (ii) the synovial fluid outlet valve is positioned in its closed valve position.

9. The prosthesis of claim 1, wherein:

the synovial fluid inlet valve is positionable in an open valve position and a closed valve position,

the head component is positionable in a flexed orientation and an unflexed orientation,

the synovial fluid inlet is positioned in its closed valve position when the head component is positioned in the flexed orientation, and

the synovial fluid inlet is positioned in its open valve position when the head component is positioned in the unflexed orientation.

10. The prosthesis of claim 1, wherein:

the synovial fluid inlet valve is positionable in an open valve position and a closed valve position,

the synovial fluid inlet is positioned in its closed valve position when a load is exerted on the head component, and

the synovial fluid inlet is positioned in its open valve position when the load is removed from the head component.

11. The prosthesis of claim 1, further comprising a stem component secured to the head component, the stem component having a synovial fluid inlet defined therein, the synovial fluid inlet being fluidly coupled to the synovial fluid inlet valve.

12. The prosthesis of claim 11, wherein the stem component has a bore defined therein, further comprising a fluid filter positioned in the bore.

13. The prosthesis of claim 12, wherein the fluid filter is fluidly interposed between the synovial fluid inlet and the synovial fluid inlet valve.

14. A method of operating an orthopaedic device, the method comprising the steps of:

advancing synovial fluid into a chamber defined in a prosthetic head component of the orthopaedic device in response to a first change in load exerted on the prosthetic head component.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of advancing synovial fluid out of the chamber in response to a second change in load exerted on the prosthetic head component.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of advancing synovial fluid out of the chamber comprises increasing fluid pressure within the chamber of the prosthetic head component in response to an increase in load exerted on the prosthetic head component.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein increasing fluid pressure within the chamber of the prosthetic head component comprises reducing the volume of the chamber of the prosthetic head component.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of advancing synovial fluid into the chamber comprises decreasing fluid pressure within the chamber of the prosthetic head component in response to a decrease in load exerted on the prosthetic head component.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein decreasing fluid pressure within the chamber of the prosthetic head component comprises increasing the volume of the chamber of the prosthetic head component.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of advancing synovial fluid into the chamber comprises advancing synovial fluid through a fluid filter.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the step of advancing synovial fluid into the chamber further comprises advancing synovial fluid through an inlet valve.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein synovial fluid is advanced through the fluid filter prior to advancement through the inlet valve.

23. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of loading, prior to implantation of the prosthesis, the chamber with one or more substances selected from the group consisting of saline, an antibiotic fluid, a joint lubricant, and an analgesic.

24. A prosthetic head component, comprising:

a body defining a fluid chamber, and

a fluid filter positioned in the fluid chamber.

25. The prosthetic head component of claim 24, further comprising a fluid inlet valve positioned in the fluid chamber at a location downstream of the fluid filter.

26. The prosthetic head component of claim 24, further comprising a fluid outlet defined in the body.

27. The prosthetic head component of claim 24, further comprising a fluid outlet valve positioned in the fluid chamber.

28. An orthopaedic prosthesis, comprising:

a head component having a fluid chamber defined therein,

a fluid inlet, and

a fluid filter fluidly positioned between the fluid inlet and the fluid chamber.

29. The prosthesis of claim 28, wherein the head component is constructed of a flexible material.

30. The prosthesis of claim 28, wherein the head component is constructed of a flexible metallic material.

31. The prosthesis of claim 28, further comprising a synovial fluid outlet port.