317results about "Finger joints" patented technology

A permanent non-resorbable implant allows surgical replacement of cartilage in articulating joints, using a hydrogel material (such as a synthetic polyacrylonitrile polymer) reinforced by a flexible fibrous matrix. Articulating hydrogel surface(s) are chemically treated to provide a negative electrical charge that emulates the negative charge of natural cartilage, and also can be treated with halogenating, cross-linking, or other chemical agents for greater strength. For meniscal-type implants, the reinforcing matrix can extend out from the peripheral rim of the hydrogel, to allow secure anchoring to soft tissue such as a joint capsule. For bone-anchored implants, a porous anchoring layer enables tissue ingrowth, and a non-planer perforated layer can provide a supportive interface between the hard anchoring material and the softer hydrogel material.

A knee implant includes a femoral component having first and second femoral component surfaces. The first femoral component surface is for securing to a surgically prepared compartment of a distal end of a femur. The second femoral component surface is configured to replicate the femoral condyle. The knee implant further includes a tibial component having first and second tibial component surfaces. The first tibial component surface is for contacting a proximal surface of the tibia that is substantially uncut subchondral bone. At least a portion of the first tibial component surface is a mirror image of the proximal tibial surface. The second tibial component surface articulates with the second femoral component surface.

A system and method for prosthesis fitting in joints comprising an artificial condyle and a spacer which cooperates with the condyle to form an artificial joint. The spacer embedded with at least one sensor which is responsive to a force generated between the condyle and the spacer. The artificial joint is adapted to move between a flexed position and an extended position defining a range of motion. The sensor is responsive to the force and generates an output representative of that force. The output is transmitted, either wirelessly or other, to a processor which utilizes an analysis program to display a representation of the forces applied. A practitioner utilizing the displayed analysis may intraoperatively determine the adjustments and balancing required within the artificial joint. The system may also utilize a ligament tension sensor which generates data representative of tension on a ligament of the artificial joint, and a joint angle sensor responsive to the range of motion of the artificial joint. The processor may be adapted to store the outputted sensor data to provide the practitioner with statistically relevant historical data.

Prosthetic joints, components for prosthetic joints, superhard bearing and articulation surfaces, diamond bearing and articulation surfaces, substrate surface topographical features, materials for making joints, bearing and articulation surfaces, and methods for manufacturing and finishing the same, and related information are disclosed, including a prosthetic hip joint having sintered polycrystalline diamond articulation.

This invention is directed to orthopedic implants and systems. The invention also relates to methods of implant design, manufacture, modeling and implantation as well as to surgical tools and kits used therewith. The implants are designed by analyzing the articular surface to be corrected and creating a device with an anatomic or near anatomic fit; or selecting a pre-designed implant having characteristics that give the implant the best fit to the existing defect.

This invention is directed to orthopedic implants and systems. The invention also relates to methods of implant design, manufacture, modeling and implantation as well as to surgical tools and kits used therewith. The implants are designed by analyzing the articular surface to be corrected and creating a device with an anatomic or near anatomic fit; or selecting a pre-designed implant having characteristics that give the implant the best fit to the existing defect.

Prosthetic joints, components for prosthetic joints, superhard bearing and articulation surfaces, diamond bearing and articulation surfaces, substrate surface topographical features, materials for making joints, bearing and articulation surfaces, and methods for manufacturing and finishing the same, and related information are disclosed, including a diamond-surfaced cup for use in a prosthetic joint.

A method for implanting an intra-articular shoulder prosthesis is provided. The method includes removing a proximal portion of a humerus. The proximal portion of the humerus preferably forms a resected portion. The resected portion has a convex outer surface and an inner surface. The method further includes engaging the convex outer surface of the resected portion with a cut surface of the proximal portion of the humerus. The cut surface of the proximal portion of the humerus and / or the inner surface of the resected portion are optionally processed to form a generally concave surface, such as by impacting. In one embodiment, the inner surface of the resected portion is impacted into engagement with the cut surface of the proximal portion of the humerus. The generally concave inner surface of the resected portion forms a concave articular surface to receive an interpositional implant.

Disclosed are systems, devices and methods for optimizing the manufacture and / or production of patient-specific orthopedic implants. The methods include obtaining image data of a patient, selecting a blank implant to be optimized for the patient, and modifying the blank implant utilizing techniques disclosed herein to alter specific features of the implant to conform to the patient's anatomy.

A technique to manufacture small joint orthopedic implants includes the steps of taking standard radiographs of a pathologic joint and the corresponding non-pathologic joint. In order to provide an accurate frame of reference, a specialized marker is placed in the radiographic field. By inspection of the radiographs and by comparison with the marker, the dimensions of the cortical bone and the cancellous bone can be quickly and accurately determined. These dimensions can be used to manufacture a suitable implant and installation tool. Typically, the implant will include a stem from which a post projects. A radially extending collar is located at the intersection between the stem and the post. A mating head is attached to the post. The head closely approximates the size and shape of the natural head being replaced. The stem will be non-round in cross-section to prevent rotation of the stem in the bone. For many applications, the head will not be fixedly attached to the post, but will be rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the post. One or more spacers that fit about the stem also can be provided in order to adjust the distance that the head projects from the bone.

The implant has at least one contact surface portion, made of pyrolytic carbon, designed to be in mobile contact with at least one bony surface when the implant is implanted in a patient. Furthermore, the implant is free from any attaching means, so that it remains free with respect to the at least one bony surface when implanted in the patient.

Hydrogel devices for surgical implantation to replace damaged cartilage in a mammalian joint (such as a knee, hip, shoulder, etc.) are disclosed, with one or more of the following enhancements: (1) articulating surfaces that have been given negative surface charge densities that emulate natural cartilage and that interact with positively charged components of synovial fluid; (2) anchoring systems with affixed pegs that will lock into accommodating receptacles, which will be anchored into hard bone before the implant is inserted into a joint; (3) a three-dimensional reinforcing mesh made of strong but flexible fibers, embedded within at least a portion of the hydrogel.

An endoprosthetic joint implant includes a fixation element and a hydrogel hinge portion. The fixation element supports the hydrogel hinge portion on a resected bone-end, for example, for use in surgical joint replacement. The fixation element of one embodiment features a stem made of titanium. The stem is threaded for insertion distally into an intramedullary canal. The hydrogel hinge portion connects to the stem using a snap-fit arrangement. The hydrogel is available in various surface configurations and can articulate against a natural joint surface or a synthetic joint surface. A total joint-replacement implant is provided by attaching a second stem to an opposite side of the hinge for insertion into bone on the opposed side of the articulation.

The present invention relates to methods for determining meniscal size and shape for use in designing therapies for the treatment of various joint diseases. The invention uses an image of a joint that is processed for analysis. Analysis can include, for example, generating a thickness map, a cartilage curve, or a point cloud. This information is used to determine the extent of the cartilage defect or damage and to design an appropriate therapy, including, for example, an implant. Adjustments to the designed therapy are made to account for the materials used.

Prosthetic joints, components for prosthetic joints, superhard bearing and articulation surfaces, diamond bearing and articulation surfaces, substrate surface topographical features, materials for making joints, bearing and articulation surfaces, and methods for manufacturing and finishing the same, and related information are disclosed, including a prosthetic joint having at least one superhard articulation surface.

A resorbable implant for interposition arthroplasty which is intended to fill a void between two adjacent bone ends, providing a cushion between the bone ends to prevent impingement of the bone ends while providing time for tissue to infiltrate into the space occupied by the implant. It has a protracted resorption time of preferably at least three months to allow time for the proliferation of load-bearing host fibrous tissue in place of the resorbed implant material. The implant preferably is porous with a pore size of greater than about 80 microns in order to enhance infiltration of fibrous tissue. The implant has a modulus in the range of 0.8 to 20 MPa which is soft enough to allow it to conform to surface irregularities of the adjacent bone surfaces while being hard enough to maintain a desired separation between those bones while tissue infiltration replaces the resorbable implant material. The implant may be preformed to the desired shape or alternatively may be formable by the surgeon by methods such as carving with a scalpel. A preferred application for the implant is as a trapezium bone replacement.

Disclosed are systems, devices and methods for optimizing the manufacture and / or production of patient-specific orthopedic implants. The methods include obtaining image data of a patient, selecting a blank implant to be optimized for the patient, and modifying the blank implant utilizing techniques disclosed herein to alter specific features of the implant to conform to the patient's anatomy.

The invention describes a variety of implantable artificial joint complexes adapted for implantation within a target joint space within a human body. The joint complexes comprise: an expandable joint segment adapted to fit within the target joint space; and at least one of a first cannulated anchor adapted to engage the expandable joint segment and adapted to engage a bony structure adjacent the target joint space; and a second anchor adapted to engage the expandable joint segment and adapted to engage a bony structure adjacent a target joint space. The invention also discloses methods of implanting a patient specific artificial joint complex. The methods include the steps of: accessing a target joint space by creating an access hole through an adjacent bony structure; inserting a joint complex device having a cannulated anchor and an expandable joint segment through the access hole with the expendable joint segment being positioned between the surfaces forming the joint; injecting material into the expandable joint segment; and sealing access to the target joint space.

This invention includes malleable, biodegradable, fibrous compositions for application to a tissue site in order to promote or facilitate new tissue growth. One aspect of this invention is a fibrous component (e.g., collagen, chitosan, alginate, hyaluronic acid, poly-lactic acid, poly-capralactone, and polyurethane) that provides unique mechanical and physical properties. The invention may be created by providing a vessel containing a slurry, said slurry comprising a plurality of natural or synthetic polymer fibers and at least one suspension fluid, wherein the polymer fibers are substantially evenly dispersed and randomly oriented throughout the volume of the suspension fluid; applying a force, e.g., centrifugal, to said vessel containing said slurry, whereupon said force serves to cause said polymer fibers to migrate through the suspension fluid and amass at a furthest extent of the vessel, forming a polymer material, with said polymer material comprising polymer fibers of sufficient length and sufficiently viscous, interlaced, or interlocked to retard dissociation of said polymer fibers.

The concepts disclosed herein offer a new simple and reliable reconstructive option for the treatment of first carpal-metacarpal joint (basal joint) arthritis and consists of an intra-articular basal joint stabilizer sling combined with a surgical method of implantation.

Systems, including apparatus, methods, and kits, for replacing a portion of an articulating bone surface with a surface region of a partial prosthesis.

The present invention relates to methods for determining meniscal size and shape for use in designing therapies for the treatment of various joint diseases. The invention uses an image of a joint that is processed for analysis. Analysis can include, for example, generating a thickness map, a cartilage curve, or a point cloud. This information is used to determine the extent of the cartilage defect or damage and to design an appropriate therapy, including, for example, an implant. Adjustments to the designed therapy are made to account for the materials used.

An arthroplasty device is provided having an interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) hydrogel that is strain-hardened by swelling and adapted to be held in place in a joint by conforming to a bone geometry. The strain-hardened IPN hydrogel is based on two different networks: (1) a non-silicone network of preformed hydrophilic non-ionic telechelic macromonomers chemically cross-linked by polymerization of its end-groups, and (2) a non-silicone network of ionizable monomers. The second network was polymerized and chemically cross-linked in the presence of the first network and has formed physical cross-links with the first network. Within the IPN, the degree of chemical cross-linking in the second network is less than in the first network. An aqueous salt solution (neutral pH) is used to ionize and swell the second network. The swelling of the second network is constrained by the first network resulting in an increase in effective physical cross-links within the IPN.

The present invention provides an implantable joint prosthesis configured to replace a natural joint, and methods for implantation. The prosthesis may include a first component implantable in a first bone, having a first bearing surface, and a second component implantable in a second bone, having a second bearing surface which corresponds to the first bearing surface. Each bearing surface may include a flattened section such that when the bearing surfaces are placed in cooperation with one another in a preferred orientation, the flattened sections are aligned. Alternatively, the bearing surfaces may have and asymmetric configuration, with non-congruent surfaces that may enable correction of deformity. Several types of implantable joint prostheses are disclosed, including: carpometacarpal, metacarpophalangeal, metatarsophalangeal, distal interphalangeal, proximal interphalangeal, ankle, knee, shoulder, and hip.

In an endoprosthesis (11h) for a joint, the two interacting joint parts (15h, 16h) are joined by a cord-type connection piece (21h), which is attached in the vicinity of the body axis (M2h, M2h') of the convex condyle (15h) and extends through a longitudinal groove (22h) in the flexion direction of the joint. The connection piece assures a play space (31h) between the contact surfaces (19h, h', 20h, h') of joint (11h). It is protected from friction on groove wall (55h, 55h') by an elevation (50h, 43h) in concave joint part (16h). An elevation (43h, 50h) at concave joint part (16h) and a depression (49h) at convex joint part (15h) interact in such a way that the lateral movement play space between depression and elevation determines the freedom of movement with respect to the lateroflexion of the joint. In preferred forms of embodiment, thanks to the spherical surfaces at least one pair of corresponding sliding surfaces (19h, 20h; 20h') on the two condyles lie flatly on one another, under load, in any position of the joint.

A method of performing surgery to enable joint fusion by preparing bony surfaces of a joint to create an enlarged space between sides of the joint in which subchondral bone of the joint is exposed, inserting a hollow structural implant, having at least two large fenestrations which are located on substantially opposite sides of the implant into the enlarged space so that the implant contacts the subchondral bone and orientating the implant so that the large fenestrations are located adjacent the subchondral bone on respective sides of the joint.

A knee implant includes a femoral component having first and second femoral component surfaces. The first femoral component surface is for securing to a surgically prepared compartment of a distal end of a femur. The second femoral component surface is configured to replicate the femoral condyle. The knee implant further includes a tibial component having first and second tibial component surfaces. The first tibial component surface is for contacting a proximal surface of the tibia that is substantially uncut subchondral bone. At least a portion of the first tibial component surface is a mirror image of the proximal tibial surface. The second tibial component surface articulates with the second femoral component surface.

Prosthetic joints, components for prosthetic joints, superhard bearing and articulation surfaces, diamond bearing and articulation surfaces, substrate surface topographical features, materials for making joints, bearing and articulation surfaces, and methods for manufacturing and finishing the same, and related information are disclosed, including a prosthetic joint component having at least one sintered polycrystalline diamond compact articulation surface and substrate surface topographical features in said polycrystalline diamond compact.