Meniscus prosthesis
First Claim
1. A prosthesis comprising a body formed from an elastomer, wherein the elastomer is formed from an organic polymer that is biocompatible and has a modulus of elasticity and a mechanical strength between 0.5 MPa and 75 MPa enabling said body to provide cushioning and load distribution capabilities within a joint space similar to native articular cartilage and meniscus, said body having a shape contoured to fit with a femoral condyle, a tubercle, and a tibial plateau, said body having a geometry designed to stay within a joint space without any separate means of attachment.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A prosthesis for placement into a joint space between two or more bones is disclosed. The prosthesis includes a body formed from a pre-formed solid one piece elastomer, wherein the elastomer is formed from a synthetic organic polymer that is biocompatible and has a modulus of elasticity and a mechanical strength between 0.5 MPa and 75 MPa. The body having a shape contoured to fit within a joint space between the femoral condyle, tubercle, and tibial plateau without any means of attachment.
263 Citations
31 Claims
- 1. A prosthesis comprising a body formed from an elastomer, wherein the elastomer is formed from an organic polymer that is biocompatible and has a modulus of elasticity and a mechanical strength between 0.5 MPa and 75 MPa enabling said body to provide cushioning and load distribution capabilities within a joint space similar to native articular cartilage and meniscus, said body having a shape contoured to fit with a femoral condyle, a tubercle, and a tibial plateau, said body having a geometry designed to stay within a joint space without any separate means of attachment.
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30. A prosthesis comprising a body formed from a pre-formed solid one piece elastomer, wherein the elastomer is formed from an organic polymer that is biocompatible and has a modulus of elasticity and a mechanical strength between 0.5 MPa and 75 MPa enabling said body to provide cushioning and load distribution capabilities within a joint space similar to native articular cartilage and meniscus, said body including a superior surface forming a concave groove channel contoured to receive a femoral condyle, wherein said groove channel has a width that is greater than ½
- the width of the body, an inferior surface forming a convex surface contoured to fit on top of a tibial plateau, and having a thickness therebetween, said body being wide enough to fully receive the width of the femoral condyle, said body further comprising a cruciate region, an outer region, an anterior region, a posterior region, a central region, and an outer wall surrounding the periphery of the cruciate region, outer region, anterior region, and posterior region, said cruciate region including an indentation located proximally to the anterior region and contoured to fit with a tubercle, said indentation generally in the form of a sinusoidal shaped arch decreasing in size as it extends from the outer wall of the cruciate region to the central region, said posterior region being thicker than said anterior region, said body further having a geometry designed to stay within a joint space without any separate means of attachment.
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31. A method for placing a prosthesis into a joint space which comprises:
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making an incision in the tissue surrounding the joint space of a knee;
inserting a prosthesis into the joint space of a knee, said prosthesis comprising a body formed from a pre-formed solid one piece elastomer, wherein the elastomer is formed from an organic polymer that is biocompatible and has a modulus of elasticity and a mechanical strength between 0.5 MPa and 75 MPa, said body including a superior surface forming a concave groove channel contoured to receive a femoral condyle, wherein said groove channel has a width that is greater than ½
the width of the body, an inferior surface forming a convex surface contoured to fit on top of a tibial plateau, and having a thickness therebetween, said body being wide enough to fully receive the width of the femoral condyle, said body further comprising a cruciate region, an outer region, an anterior region, a posterior region, a central region, and an outer wall surrounding the periphery of the cruciate region, outer region, anterior region, and posterior region, said cruciate region further including an indentation located proximally to the anterior region and contoured to fit with a tubercle, said indentation generally in the form of a sinusoidal shaped arch decreasing in size as it goes from the outer wall of the cruciate region to the central region, said posterior region being thicker than said anterior region, said body further having a geometry designed to stay within a joint space without any separate means of attachment; and
closing said incision.
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Specification