Prosthetic shock absorber

• US 20050113932A1
• Filed: 12/02/2004
• Published: 05/26/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NK Biotechnical Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nebojsa Kovacevic
• Inventors: Kovacevic, Nebojsa
• Granted Patent: US 7,179,295 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/20.320
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/064 for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/3859 Femoral components
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/389 Tibial components A61F2/3868 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4657 Measuring instruments used for implanting artificial joints for surgical instruments A61B90/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30133 kidney-shaped or bean-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3067 for data transfer
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30805 Recesses of comparatively large area with respect to their low depth
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30878 with non-sharp protrusions, for instance contacting the bone for anchoring, e.g. keels, pegs, pins, posts, shanks, stems, struts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30884 Fins or wings, e.g. longitudinal wings for preventing rotation within the bone cavity
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30892 parallel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30896 perpendicular with respect to each other
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4632 using computer-controlled surgery, e.g. robotic surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4666 for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0015 Kidney-shaped, e.g. bean-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0002 for data transfer

Abstract

A prosthesis is provided having a first plate and a second plate spaced apart from the first plate. A substantially round post separates the first plate and the second plate and a flexure is provided in the second plate proximate the post.

Claims

1. A prosthesis comprising:

a first plate;

a second plate spaced apart from the first plate;

a substantially round post separating the first plate and the second plate; and

a flexure in the second plate positioned proximate the post.

2. The prosthesis of claim 1 and further comprising a plurality of substantially round posts separating the first plate and the second plate and wherein the second plate includes a plurality of spaced apart flexures aligned with the plurality of substantially round posts.

3. The prosthesis of claim 2 wherein the first plate includes a plurality of spaced apart flexures aligned with the plurality of substantially round posts.

4. The prosthesis of claim 1 wherein the round post is hollow to form a cavity.

5. The prosthesis of claim 4 wherein the cavity is filled with a substance including at least one of oil, gel and liquid material.

6. The prosthesis of claim 1 and further comprising a third plate connected to the second plate, a fourth plate spaced apart from the third plate, a second substantially round post separating the third plate and the fourth plate and a second flexure in the fourth plate proximate the second post.

7. The prosthesis of claim 6 wherein the first-mentioned post and the second post share a common axis.

8. The prosthesis of claim 6 wherein the first-mentioned post and the second post are hollow to form a first cavity and a second cavity.

9. The prosthesis of claim 8 wherein the first cavity and the second cavity are filled with a substance including at least one of oil, gel and liquid material.

10. The prosthesis of claim 6 wherein the first plate and the third plate include flexures proximate the first-mentioned post and the second post, respectively.

11. The prosthesis of claim 1 wherein the prosthesis is adapted to be placed in a knee joint.

12. The prosthesis of claim 1 and further comprising:

a third plate spaced apart from the first plate to form a gap therebetween such that the third plate can move independently from the first plate; and

a second substantially round support post separating the third plate and the second plate.

13. The prosthesis of claim 1 wherein a gap between the first plate and the second plate is less than or equal to 0.06 inches.

14. A prosthesis comprising:

a first plate;

a second plate spaced apart from the first plate to form a gap therebetween such that the second plate can move independently from the first plate;

a lower plate spaced apart from the first plate and the second plate; and

a plurality of support ports supporting the first plate and the second plate above the lower plate.

15. The prosthesis of claim 14 wherein the lower plate includes a plurality of spaced apart flexures aligned with the plurality of support posts.

16. The prosthesis of claim 15 and further comprising a plurality of force sensors provided in the plurality of flexures to sense strain therein.

17. The prosthesis of claim 14 wherein the plurality of support posts includes three support ports supporting the first plate and three support posts supporting the second plate.

18. The prosthesis of claim 17 wherein the three support posts supporting the first plate are arranged in an isosceles triangle configuration and wherein the three support ports supporting the second plate are arranged in an isosceles triangle configuration.

19. The prosthesis of claim 18 wherein the lower plate further comprises three flexure members aligned with the three support posts supporting the first plate and three flexure members aligned with the three support posts supporting the second plate.

20. The prosthesis of claim 14 and further comprising a first insert carried by the first plate and a second insert carried by the second plate.

21. The prosthesis of claim 20 and further comprising a condylar component adapted to engage the first insert and the second insert to form an articulation joint.

22. The prosthesis of claim 14 and further comprising a cover plate attached to the lower plate, the cover plate having a major surface and a plurality of apertures disposed substantially throughout the major surface to accommodate growth of tissue, vessels and nerves.

23. The prosthesis of claim 14 wherein the plurality of support posts are round.