Antimicrobial containment cap for a bone anchored prosthesis mounting

• US 8,444,701 B2
• Filed: 07/19/2006
• Issued: 05/21/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation (State of Utah)
• Original Assignee: University of Utah Research Foundation (State of Utah)
• Inventors: Bloebaum, Roy D., Bachus, Kent N., Olsen, Raymond E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Truong, Kevin T
• Assistant Examiner(s): BATES, DAVID W
• Application Number:
  US11/995,886
• Publication Number:
  US 20090005820A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,498 Days
• Field of Search: 606/54, 606/302, 623 32- 37, 604/174
• US Class Current: 623/32
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2814 Bone stump caps
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30749 Fixation appliances for connecting prostheses to the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/78 Means for protecting prostheses or for attaching them to the body, e.g. bandages, harnesses, straps, or stockings for the limb stump
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/2825 Femur
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30225 Flat cylinders, i.e. discs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30235 tubular, e.g. sleeves
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30354 Cylindrically-shaped protrusion and recess, e.g. cylinder of circular basis
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30507 using a threaded locking member, e.g. a locking screw or a set screw
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30677 Means for introducing or releasing pharmaceutical products, e.g. antibiotics, into the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3068 the pharmaceutical product being in a reservoir
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30785 parallel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/7887 for connecting limb exoprostheses to the stump bone
• 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 2230/0069 cylindrical
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0068 the pharmaceutical product being in a reservoir

Abstract

An antimicrobial containment cap is provided for use in a bone anchored prosthesis mounting system of the type having an externally protruding fixator pin carried by all implanted bone anchored mounting post, wherein the fixator pin accommodates removable attachment to an exoskeletal prosthesis such as a prosthetic limb or the like for an amputee. The containment cap, when mounted onto the fixator pin, is interposed between the prosthesis and soft tissue covering the end or stump of an amputated residual limb or the like. The containment cap carries and supports a selected antimicrobial or antibacterial agent in substantial contact with the soft stump tissue in a position closely overlying and substantially circumscribing the tissue interface with the externally protruding fixator pin to safeguard against infection. The containment cap is adapted for quick and easy periodic removal for cleaning and/or replenishment of the antimicrobial agent.

Claims

1. An exoskeletal prosthesis system comprising:

a bone anchored mounting post with a fixator structure protruding from the mounting post through soft tissue at the end of a residual limb and defining a free end for attachment to a prosthesis;

a socket formed in an upper end of the prosthesis; and

a containment cap including a cap body having a bore formed therein for removable slide-fit placement of said cap body onto the external fixator structure, said cap body being adapted to be positioned between the prosthesis and the soft tissue at the end of the residual limb, said cap body at least partially positioned within the socket at an upper end of the prosthesis, and

a resilient member carried by said cap body in a position closely overlying and substantially circumscribing an interface between the soft tissue at the end of the residual limb and the fixator structure, the resilient member supporting a medicant selected from the group consisting essentially of an antimicrobial agent, an antibacterial agent, an anti-inflammation agent, and combinations thereof.

2. The exoskeletal prosthesis system of claim 1 further including means for removably attaching said cap body to the fixator structure.

3. The exoskeletal prosthesis system of claim 2 wherein said cap body comprises a base wall having a central bore formed therein, and further wherein said means for removably attaching said cap body to the fixator structure comprises a hollow mounting hub depending from said base wall for slide-fit reception of the fixator structure, and fastener means for removably locking said hub relative to the fixator structure.

4. The exoskeletal prosthesis system of claim 3 wherein the resilient member includes a thickness for at least some compression when said mounting hub is removably locked to the fixator structure.

5. The exoskeletal prosthesis system of claim 3 wherein said cap body further defines a perimeter wall upstanding from said base wall, said perimeter wall defining an upper margin for contacting the soft tissue at the end of the residual limb when said mounting hub is removably locked to the fixator structure.

6. The exoskeletal prosthesis system of claim 5 wherein said perimeter wall upper margin further comprises a radially outwardly extending support flange for contacting the soft tissue at the end of the residual limb when said mounting hub is removably locked to the fixator structure.

7. The exoskeletal prosthesis system of claim 6 wherein said cap body has at least one vent port formed therein.

8. An exoskeletal prosthesis system comprising:

a bone anchored mounting post with a fixator structure protruding from the mounting post through soft tissue at the end of a residual limb and defining a free end for attachment to a prosthesis;

a socket formed in an upper end of the prosthesis; and

a containment cap including a cap body having a bore formed therein for slide-fit placement of said cap body onto the external fixator structure, said cap body being adapted to be positioned between the prosthesis and the soft tissue at the end of the residual limb, said cap body at least partially positioned within the socket at an upper end of the prosthesis, and

a resilient member carried by said cap body in a position closely overlying and substantially circumscribing an interface between the soft tissue at the end of the residual limb and the fixator structure, the resilient member supporting a medicant selected from the group consisting essentially of an antimicrobial agent, an antibacterial agent, an anti-inflammation agent, and combinations thereof; and

fastener means for removably locking said cap body relative to the fixator structure.

9. The exoskeletal prosthesis system of claim 8 wherein said cap body comprises a base wall having a central bore formed therein, and further wherein said fastener means comprises a hollow mounting hub depending from said base wall for slide-fit reception of the fixator structure, and at least one fastener for removably locking said hub relative to the fixator structure.

10. The exoskeletal prosthesis system of claim 9 wherein the resilient member includes a thickness for at least some compression when said mounting hub is removably locked to the fixator structure.

11. The exoskeletal prosthesis system of claim 9 wherein said cap body further defines a perimeter wall upstanding from said base wall, said perimeter wall defining an upper margin for contacting the soft tissue at the end of the residual limb when said mounting hub is removably locked to the fixator structure.

12. The exoskeletal prosthesis system of claim 11 wherein said perimeter wall upper margin further comprises a radially outwardly extending support flange for contacting the soft tissue at the end of the residual limb when said mounting hub is removably locked to the fixator structure.