Joint assembly incorporating undercut surface design to entrap accumulating wear debris from plastic joint assembly

• US 8,828,088 B2
• Filed: 05/10/2010
• Issued: 09/09/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Linares Medical Devices, LLC
• Original Assignee: Linares Medical Devices, LLC
• Inventors: Linares, Miguel A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sweet, Thomas J
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mathew, Seema
• Application Number:
  US12/776,903
• Publication Number:
  US 20100222892A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,583 Days
• Field of Search: 623/23.39, 623/14.12, 623/22.17, 623/22.21, 623/22.33, 623/23.5, 623/16.11, 623/18.11, 623/20.13, 623/20.15, 623/20.16, 623/20.18, 623/20.21, 623/20.22, 623/22.11, 623/23.4, 623/23.42, 623/23.46
• US Class Current: 623/22.15
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/08 Muscles; Tendons; Ligaments sutures A61B17/04
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30771 applied in original prostheses, e.g. holes or grooves
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30965 Reinforcing the prosthesis by embedding particles or fibres during moulding or dipping
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/32 for the hip
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/38 for elbows or knees
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/3804 for elbows
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30673 Lubricating means, e.g. synovial pocket
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30682 Means for preventing migration of particles released by the joint, e.g. wear debris or cement particles
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30807 Plurality of blind bores
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30823 having the shape of a reverse dovetail
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30827 Plurality of grooves
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30934 Special articulating surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30937 with cut-outs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30971 Laminates, i.e. layered products

Abstract

A layer applied to a joint defined surface including a general mat shape body exhibiting a plurality of recesses, such that abrading contact with an opposing joint surface creates debris which are entrapped within the recesses during a normal range of motion. The body can further exhibit a first harder plastic substratum and a second softer plastic surface. The recesses further incorporate undercut defined patterns selected from any of circular, linear and arcuate designs.

Claims

1. An implantable artificial layer established between male and female joint defining portions of first and second bones, said layer comprising:

a mat having a specified shape and size and which is adapted to being secured over a selected one of the joint defining portions, said mat exhibiting either of a concave or a convex first wear surface and establishing an opposing and eccentrically supporting arrangement relative to a second wear surface associated with the other joint defining portion, said second wear surface further exhibiting the other of a concave or convex surface to permit articulation relative to said mat;

a plurality of volume defining recesses arranged in distributed, spaced apart and undercut extending fashion within said mat, said volume defining recesses each exhibiting a narrow-most passageway in communication with said surface of said mat, a three dimensional undercut profile in communication with said narrow-most passageway further including a snowman such that a maximum interior width dimension of a selected undercut profile is at least a factor of two times greater than a width dimension of said passageway in communication with said wear surface; and

upon abrading contact between said wear surfaces associated with the joint defining portions, accumulated debris resulting from such contact being segregated from a joint zone established between said wear surfaces and becoming entrapped within said undercut and volume defining recesses.

2. The layer as described in claim 1, said mat including a first harder plastic substratum and a second softer plastic surface.

3. The layer as described in claim 2, additional selected volume defining recesses further comprising undercut defined patterns selected from any of circular, linear and arcuate designs.

4. The layer as described in claim 1, said mat further comprising an antimicrobial plastic.

5. The layer as described in claim 1, said mat including a first additive selected from at least one of a carbon and a graphite and a second additive selected from at least one of a ceramic and a metal for providing the flexible and polymeric based mat with enhanced wear resistant properties.