ARTIFICIAL JOINT SUPPORT BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND BONES

• US 20090076605A1
• Filed: 09/17/2008
• Published: 03/19/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Linares Medical Devices, LLC
• Original Assignee: Linares Medical Devices, LLC
• Inventors: Linares, Miguel A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,972,380 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/14.120
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/562 Implants for placement in joint gaps without restricting joint motion, e.g. to reduce arthritic pain
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/72 Intramedullary pins, nails or other devices A61B17/744 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/28 Bones joints A61F2/30
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30756 Cartilage endoprostheses A61F2/3603 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/32 for the hip
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/34 Acetabular cups
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/3868 with sliding tibial bearing
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/3872 Meniscus for implantation between the natural bone surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/389 Tibial components A61F2/3868 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/2825 Femur
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/2892 Tibia
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30067 Coating or prosthesis-covering structure made of thermoplastic material
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30072 Coating made of plastically deformable or self-moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30225 Flat cylinders, i.e. discs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30428 made by inserting a protrusion into a slot
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30448 using adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3052 unrestrained in only one direction, e.g. moving unidirectionally
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30583 filled with hardenable fluid, e.g. curable in-situ
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30604 modular
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30639 having rolling elements between both articulating surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30673 : Lubricating means, e.g. synovial pocket
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3069 : Revision endoprostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30754 : Implants for interposition between two natural articular surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30757 : made of a sheet covering the natural articular surface, e.g. cap
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30828 : parallel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30934 : Special articulating surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4631 : the prosthesis being specially adapted for being cemented
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0085 : hardenable in situ, e.g. epoxy resins
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0025 : Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/005 : using adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0069 : cylindrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0063 : Nested prosthetic parts

Abstract

An artificial joint associated with an implant including a pair of three dimensional and structurally extending bones, each defining a contoured and opposing end face, and which collectively defines a joint location. At least one plasticized layer is applied to one of, or both, the end faces in a coacting and substantially frictional reducing fashion. A lubricating plastic is defined upon an exposed face of the bladder. The plasticized layers may include a fluid receiving and inflatable bladder for filling a three dimensional area associated with the joint location. A curable/settable fluidic material can be injected into the bladder and which includes at least one of an epoxy, a urethane, a gelatin and a two-part hardener. The bones each further include an artificial implant constructed from at least one of a plasticized and a metallic material,

Claims

1. An artificial joint associated with an implant, comprising:

a pair of three dimensional and structurally extending bones, each defining a contoured and opposing end face, which collectively defines a joint location; and

at least one plasticized layer applied to at least one end face and coacting in substantially frictional reducing fashion with an opposing end face.

2. The invention as described in claim 1, said plasticized layer further comprising a fluid receiving and inflatable bladder for filling a three dimensional area associated with the joint location.

3. The invention as described in claim 2, further comprising a lubricating plastic defined upon an exposed face of said bladder.

4. The invention as described in claim 2, further comprising a curable/settable fluidic material including at least one of an epoxy, a urethane, a gelatin and a two-part hardener.

5. The invention as described in claim 1, said bones each further comprising an artificial implant constructed from at least one of a plasticized and a metallic material.

6. The invention as described in claim 5, said bones each having a specified shape and size and establishing a joint selected from a group including at least one of upper/lower knee joint and an outer/inner ball and socket joint.

7. The invention as described in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of overlapping disk elements secured to a selected joint defining end face and permitting a range of multi-directional and frictionless motion of an opposing bone end face.

8. The invention as described in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of concentrically defined and independently rotatable elements secured to a selected joint defining end face.

9. The invention as described in claim 8, further comprising a plurality of radially directed and lubricating passageways defined in said individual elements.

10. The invention as described in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of at least one of individual plasticized rollers and roller supported belts for providing substantially frictionless and movable motion between the joint defining bones.

11. The invention as described in claim 1, further comprising an inner reinforcing member inserted within an existing outer bone and surrounded by an injectable and settable ballasting fluid.

12. The invention as described in claim 1, said plasticized layer having a specified shape and size and further comprising an antimicrobial plastic.

13. An artificial prosthetic joint, comprising:

a bone exhibiting a contoured end face;

a plasticized layer applied to said end face and coacting in substantially frictional reducing fashion with an opposing end face associated with a second bone; and

a fluid receiving and inflatable bladder for filling a three dimensional area existing between said bones.

14. The invention as described in claim 13, further comprising a lubricating plastic defined upon an exposed face of said bladder.

15. The invention as described in claim 13, further comprising a curable/settable fluidic material injected into said bladder and including at least one of an epoxy, a urethane, a gelatin and a two-part hardener.

16. The invention as described in claim 13, said bones each further comprising an artificial implant constructed from at least one of a plasticized and a metallic material.

17. The invention as described in claim 16, said bones each having a specified shape and size and establishing a joint selected from a group including at least one of upper/lower knee joint and an outer/inner ball and socket joint.

18. An artificial joint associated with an implant, comprising:

a pair of three dimensional and structurally extending bones, each defining a contoured and opposing end face which is encased with a plasticized material, and which collectively define therebetween a joint location; and

a plurality of individually movable elements associated with a selected one of said end faces to assist in providing substantially frictionless motion between the bones.

19. The invention as described in claim 18, said movable elements further comprising overlapping disk elements secured to a selected joint defining end face and permitting a range of multi-directional and frictionless motion of an opposing bone end face.

20. The invention as described in claim 19, further comprising a plurality of radially directed and lubricating passageways defined in each of said movable elements.