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Artificial knee implant including liquid ballast supporting / rotating surfaces and incorporating flexible multi-material and natural lubricant retaining matrix applied to a joint surface

  • US 8,979,938 B2
  • Filed: 11/07/2008
  • Issued: 03/17/2015
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2007
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. An artificial joint associated with an implant, a pair of three dimensional and structurally extending bones including a male bone and a female bone, each defining a contoured and opposing end face, which collectively defines a joint location, said joint comprising:

  • a first softened plasticized layer adapted to being applied to a convex end face of the male bone;

    a second softened plasticized layer adapted to being applied to an opposing and concave end face of the female bone and, upon seating the convex end face of the male bone, coacting in an articulating fashion;

    a polymeric based mat exhibiting a selected length, width and thickness and which is flexibly secured upon a selected one of said convex or concave shaped plasticized layers, said mat filling a three dimensional space associated with the joint location between said first and second plasticized layers and so that an exposed surface of said mat articulates relative to the other selected one of said plasticized layers, said exposed surface of said mat having a plurality of projecting contact locations with said other selected plasticized layer, a network of intercommunicating and lubricant retaining channels extending around said projecting contact locations, said network of channels including a first plurality of radially outward extending passageways intersecting a second plurality of concentrically arranged passageways for receiving, supporting, and distributing the lubricant evenly across a surface area associated with said articulating layer in friction reducing fashion; and

    a hardened plastic terminating in each of said first and second softened layers, a plurality of ridges formed with said mat defining contact locations for said other softened plastic layer associated with the other of the bones.

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