US3848276A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Knee implant device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-05-03
•
Granted: 1974-11-19
•
Expires: 1993-05-03
Abstract
Abstract A joint prosthesis particularly useful in total knee replacement, and capable of providing controlled motion about three axes corresponding to the capabilities of a normal knee. A dual centered pivot with contacting arcuate support blocks provides for a combination of rotational and translational movement during knee bending movements. Axial rotation of the femur (upper leg) relative to the tibia (lower leg) is also possible through the normal range of movements, and a bias toward the neutral position is provided to signal the patient that such rotation exists. Flexure or bending of the joint in an axis transverse to the normal knee axis is also provided with a resilient bias toward the aligned orientation. The joint is secured to the bone structure by self tapping connector screws. The connector screws are locked in place by outrigger screws. The entire knee joint is enclosed in a flexible encapsulating cover to prevent damage to adjacent tissues and contamination of body fluids.
Inventors
- 👤 Y Martinez
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:09
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/38; A61F2/3836; A61F2/384; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30621; A61F2002/30624
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
A joint prosthesis comprising: joint means, attachment means for securing said joint means between relatively movable skeletal members, said joint means for constraining said skeletal members to a combination of relative rotation and translation, said joint means comprising at least two axially spaced pivot bearings incorporating two pivot pins, a common pivot frame, and two connector blocks, said two pivot pins spaced axially in said joint means and carried on said common pivot frame, said pivot bearings being connected to said attachment means through said connector blocks, said connector blocks having an axial bore and receiving said pivot pins through a transverse opening through said axial bore.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
107 words
A joint prosthesis comprising: joint means, attachment means for securing said joint means between relatively movable skeletal members, said joint means for constraining said skeletal members to a combination of relative rotation and translation, said joint means comprising at least two axially spaced pivot bearings incorporating two pivot pins, a common pivot frame, and two connector blocks, said two pivot pins spaced axially in said joint means and carried on said common pivot frame, said pivot bearings being connected to said attachment means through said connector blocks, said connector blocks having an axial bore and receiving said pivot pins through a transverse opening through said axial bore.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The joint prosthesis as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said transverse opening in said connector block is enlarged to provide a limited pivoting freedom of movement for said pivot pins in said connector block.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The joint prosthesis as claimed in claim 2 wherein said opening in said connector block has an arcuate surface for producing an axial translation of said connector block relative to said pivot pin upon axial rotation of said pivot pins.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
The joint prosthesis as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said attachment means comprise a connector screw and each connector block is secured to said connector screw by a connector screw pivot pin received in a transverse bore through said connector screw And in said connector block.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
The joint prosthesis as claimed in claim 4 wherein said connector screw is received in an axial socket in said connector block, said axial socket having radially opposed sloping sides, the radial line connecting said sloping portions being substantially perpendicular to the axis of said connector screw pivot pin.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
The joint prosthesis of claim 1 wherein said axial bore in said connector blocks accommodate opposed roller blocks carried on said pivot pins, said opposed roller blocks having a face-to-face contact in the axially aligned orientation for said joint means, and having curved surfaces in contact during bending movement of said knee.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
64 words
A joint prosthesis according to claim 1 wherein: said connector block includes an arcuate surface which contacts the inner face of said pivot frame in the axially aligned orientation of said joint means, said arcuate surface on said connector block being pivotally moved away from said inner face after a pre-determined amount of bending in said joint means to allow limited relative axial rotation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The joint prosthesis of claim 7 wherein: said arcuate surface sccommodates relative axial rotation of plus or minus 20*.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The joint prosthesis of claim 2 wherein: said connector blocks have slide portions around the inner ends of said connector blocks. said slide portions accommodating limited relative axial translation between said connector block and said slide.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The joint prosthesis of claim 9 wherein: said slide portions contacting the inner face of said pivot frame during approximately the first 20* of bending in said joint means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
67 words
In a joint prosthesis for providing relative movement between skeletal members that improvement comprising: attachment means comprising a connector screw adapted to be threaded into the interior axial portion of said skeletal members, outrigger screws threaded into said connector screw near the terminal end thereof at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis of said connector screw and adapted to pass through bone of said skeletal members.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
67 words
In a joint prosthesis for providing relative movement between skeletal members that improvement comprising: attachment means comprising a connector screw adapted to be threaded into the interior axial portion of said skeletal members, outrigger screws threaded into said connector screw near the terminal end thereof at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis of said connector screw and adapted to pass through bone of said skeletal members.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
94 words
In a joint prosthesis for providing a mechanism for relative movement between skeletal members, that improvement comprising: a joint mechanism, an attachment system comprising a pair of saddle means comprising substantially U-shaped saddle members with an attachment pad at the base of said U-shaped saddle members, said saddle means adapted to be cemented to bone structure and secured to said joint mechanism through said attachment pad, a plurality of bores through said attachment pad, said bores having an axis at an acute angle to the axis of a central bore through said attachment pad.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
94 words
In a joint prosthesis for providing a mechanism for relative movement between skeletal members, that improvement comprising: a joint mechanism, an attachment system comprising a pair of saddle means comprising substantially U-shaped saddle members with an attachment pad at the base of said U-shaped saddle members, said saddle means adapted to be cemented to bone structure and secured to said joint mechanism through said attachment pad, a plurality of bores through said attachment pad, said bores having an axis at an acute angle to the axis of a central bore through said attachment pad.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
170 words
Apparatus for use in a joint prosthesis comprising: joint means for producing a combined rotation and translation, said joint means comprising at least two spaced pivot bearings, said pivot bearings comprising pivot pins carrying, for rotation, upper and lower connector block means, said connector block means for securing said joint means to relatively movable limbs, each of said pivot pins carrying arcuate support blocks, said support blocks having cooperating surfaces in contact during rotation about the axis of said pivot bearings, said connector block means includes a connector screw pivot pin and a transverse bore for securing said connector block to a connector screw, connector screw pivot pin locking means comprising a locking slide having a dovetail groove over a portion of one face thereof for receiving a dovetail extension on said connector screw pivot pin, said lock slide having a locking shoulder for engaging a shoulder in the lock slide recess in said connector block, and having a wedge lock for locking said shoulder into interference with said slot.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
170 words
Apparatus for use in a joint prosthesis comprising: joint means for producing a combined rotation and translation, said joint means comprising at least two spaced pivot bearings, said pivot bearings comprising pivot pins carrying, for rotation, upper and lower connector block means, said connector block means for securing said joint means to relatively movable limbs, each of said pivot pins carrying arcuate support blocks, said support blocks having cooperating surfaces in contact during rotation about the axis of said pivot bearings, said connector block means includes a connector screw pivot pin and a transverse bore for securing said connector block to a connector screw, connector screw pivot pin locking means comprising a locking slide having a dovetail groove over a portion of one face thereof for receiving a dovetail extension on said connector screw pivot pin, said lock slide having a locking shoulder for engaging a shoulder in the lock slide recess in said connector block, and having a wedge lock for locking said shoulder into interference with said slot.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
The joint prosthesis of claim 13 wherein: said connector block receives Said connector screw in a socket with inclined sides to accommodate up to 10* of tilting movement.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-11-18 | 1978-05-20 | 1978-11-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-11-18 | 1982-05-20 | 1982-11-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-11-18 | 1986-05-20 | 1986-11-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |