SURGICAL COMPONENT AND KIT

Description

BACKGROUND

[0001] The present specification relates to a surgical component and to a kit including a surgical component.

[0002] A conventional Wagner-type hip stem has a 2.5° taper along its length and a splined cross-section. The femoral canal is prepared using a reamer and then the stem impacted into position. The splines are intended to cut into the bone to provide both axial and rotational stability.

[0003] The degree of interference is a function of the relative size and insertion depths of the reamer and implant. This is a well proven technology but one drawback with current designs is that the rate of progression with each impaction is relatively constant, making it difficult for a surgeon to know when they have achieved the correct level of resistance to prevent postoperative movement. This could theoretically lead to "over-seating" leading to limb shortening or "under-seating" giving insufficient resistance postoperatively.

[0004] US 2016 / 166245 A1 describes bone anchors having improved fixation. The bone anchors include an anchor body and radially protruding ribs that extend approximately parallel to a longitudinal axis of the bone anchor. A leading distal edge of each rib may be configured in a tapered "knife-edge" configuration.

[0005] US 2011 / 257758 A1 describes a modular femoral hip joint prosthesis that can include a proximal femoral body having a distal end and a proximal end. The proximal end can be adapted to mate with a femoral head. A femoral stem can have a proximal section and a distal section. The femoral stem can be adapted to matingly connect with the distal end of the proximal femoral body. The proximal section can have a porous metal coating that is adapted to facilitate bony ingrowth. The distal section can have at least one spline formed along an outer surface.

[0006] US 2009 / 270860 A1 describes an intramedullary stem that provides enhanced distal fixation and flexibility and methods for implanting the stem. The stem can have primary and secondary flutes (or ridges or wedges). The stem can have transitional regions.

[0007] US 4,623,349 A describes an osteal prosthesis having an outer surface splined in a direction generally parallel to its mean axis is capable of being secured in the bone without cement, the bone tissue developing so as to at least partly occupy the interior or hollow between the splines. The cross-sectional profile of the splines is such that it imparts a bone tissue retaining capability, and the longitudinal interior surface or hollow of the splines, which are non-cylindrical, has a shape which tapers from the end of the prosthesis (lower end) which is the most deeply embedded in the bone to the other end (upper end), the prosthesis being thus capable of being extracted from the bone tissue by a tractive movement.SUMMARY

[0008] The invention is defined in the accompanying independent and dependent claims. Combinations of features from the dependent claims may be combined with features of the independent claims as appropriate and not merely as explicitly set out in the claims.

[0009] A surgical method is described but not claimed, the method comprising using a surgical component, the surgical component comprising: a body portion; an elongate stem for inserting into an intramedullary canal of a patient, wherein the elongate stem extends distally from the body portion and has: a longitudinal axis; a proximal end; a distal end; and a plurality of splines located on an outer surface of the stem, wherein the splines are circumferentially arranged around the stem, and wherein at least some of the splines are tapered such that each tapered spline is narrower at a distal part of that spline than at a part of that spline that is proximal with respect to the distal part, the method comprising: inserting the elongate stem into an intramedullary canal of a patient.

[0010] According to an aspect, there is provided a surgical component according to claim 1.

[0011] The arrangement of the tapered splines can provide a varying insertion resistance as the stem is inserted into the intramedullary canal. This can provide the surgeon (or impaction system, where a Surgical Automated System (such as KINCISE ™< ) is used) with haptic feedback as the stem is inserted. The haptic feedback may, for instance, be used to guide the surgeon or impaction system as to when the desired seating depth of the surgical component has been reached.

[0012] The stem and / or the elongate neck portion may be integrally formed with the body portion. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the stem and / or the elongate neck portion may be detachable from the body portion. This can allow a modular construction of the surgical component to be achieved, in which differently sized modules (e.g. a larger or smaller stem and / or elongate neck) can be selected according to the procedure to be performed and attached to the body portion.

[0013] Each spline may have a distal end and a proximal end. At least some of the tapered splines may taper along their full length from the proximal and to the distal end thereof.

[0014] The splines of at least some of the tapered splines may each have a distal region and a proximal region. Those splines may be tapered in their distal region and may have a constant width in their proximal region. It is also envisaged that those splines may alternatively be tapered in their proximal region and may have a constant width in their distal region. In each spline having a tapered part in a distal (or proximal) region and a part having a constant width in a proximal (or distal) region, an interface between the distal region and the proximal region proximal region of that spline may be located proximally with respect to a fixation region of the stem. The non-tapering of the splines in the proximal (or distal) regions of the splines may prevent overcrowding of the splines at the proximal end of the stem. This may, for instance, allow the tapering to be more aggressive in the distal (or proximal) regions of the splines.

[0015] The splines may be wider than the further splines for a majority of the length of the splines. The splines may act as primary splines, which provide all or the majority of the insertion resistance, while the further splines may act as secondary splines, which come into contact with the side walls of the intramedullary canal as the desired seating depth of the surgical component is reached.

[0016] Alternatively, the splines may be narrower than the further splines for a majority of the length of the splines.

[0017] The splines and further splines are alternately arranged around a circumference of the stem. This can provide a surgical component having a stem which is well balanced around the circumference of the stem. For instance, this can prevent tilting of surgical component as the stem is inserted, the tilting being associated with varying insertion resistance around the circumference of the stem.

[0018] At least some of the further splines may be tapered such that each tapered further spline is narrower at a distal part of that further spline than at a part of that further spline that is proximal with respect to the distal part.

[0019] The further splines may be taller than the splines, measured from the longitudinal axis.

[0020] Alternatively, further splines may be less tall than the splines, measured from the longitudinal axis.

[0021] At least some of the splines and / or further splines may have a cross-sectional shape in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis which is trapezoidal, rectangular or radiused.

[0022] The elongate stem may be tapered to be wider at its proximal end than at its distal end. The tapering of the stem and the tapering of the splines may combine to produce the varying insertion resistance as the stem is inserted into the intramedullary canal, providing the aforementioned haptic feedback to the surgeon (or impaction system, where a Surgical Automated System (such as KINCISE ™< ) is used).

[0023] The surgical component may be a trial component, such as a trial component for trialling prior to installation of a femoral implant, a tibial implant or a humeral implant.

[0024] The surgical component may be a broach. The broach may be used prior to installation of a femoral implant, a tibial implant or a humeral implant.

[0025] The surgical component may be a femoral implant. The method may thus include inserting the stem into an intramedullary canal of a femur. For instance, in hip surgery the stem may be inserted into the intramedullary canal at the proximal femur, whereas in knee surgery the stem may be inserted into the intramedullary canal at the distal femur.

[0026] The surgical component may be a humerus (shoulder) implant. The method may thus include inserting the stem into an intramedullary canal of a humerus.

[0027] The surgical component may further comprise an elongate neck portion extending from the body portion at a non-zero angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the stem. Such a surgical component may be used in hip or shoulder surgery.

[0028] The surgical component may comprise a femoral implant.

[0029] The body portion may comprise a distal femoral component. In some embodiments, the distal femoral component may comprise at least one condyle prosthetic. In some embodiments, the distal femoral component may comprise a connection feature for connecting the distal femoral component to a corresponding connection feature of a further distal femoral component comprising at least one condyle prosthetic. Such a surgical component may be used in knee surgery.

[0030] The surgical component may comprise a tibial implant.

[0031] The body portion may comprise a tibial base. In some embodiments, the tibial base may comprise a tibial tray. In some embodiments, the tibial base may comprise a connection feature for connecting the tibial base to a corresponding connection feature of a tibial tray. Such a surgical component may be used in knee surgery. The method may thus include inserting the stem into an intramedullary canal of a tibia.

[0032] According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a surgical kit including a surgical component of the kind set out above.

[0033] The method may include receiving haptic feedback while inserting the stem into the intramedullary canal. The haptic feedback may be associated with increasing resistance to insertion provided by the tapered splines as the stem is inserted.

[0034] During insertion of the stem into the intramedullary canal, the further splines may come into contact with bone defining sidewalls of the intramedullary canal immediately prior to achieving a desired seating depth of the surgical component.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] Embodiments of this disclosure will be described hereinafter, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like reference signs relate to like elements and in which: Figures 1A, 1B and 1C each show a surgical component comprising a surgical implant according to an embodiment of this disclosure; Figure 2 shows the stem of a surgical implant according to an embodiment of this disclosure; Figure 3 shows a cross section of the surgical implant of Figure 2, through a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the stem; Figure 4 shows surgical implants including a femoral implant and a tibial implant according to an embodiment of this disclosure, and Figure 5 shows the tibial implant of Figure 4 in more detail. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Embodiments of this disclosure are described in the following with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0037] Figures 1A, 1B and 1C each show a surgical component according to an embodiment of this disclosure. The surgical components shown in Figure 1A-1C are surgical implants 10. Each implant 10 in the embodiments shown in Figures 1A-1C is designed to be installed in the femur of a patient during hip surgery. However, it is envisaged that embodiments of this disclosure may instead apply to a humeral implant for shoulder surgery. The configuration of the implant in such embodiments may be substantially as described below (particularly in relation to the splines and / or further splines), although the overall size and shape of the surgical implant would be configured to allow it to be installed in a humerus instead of a femur. It is also envisaged that embodiments of this invention may instead apply to a (distal) femoral implant or a tibial implant for knee surgery. Again, the configuration of the implant in such embodiments may be substantially as described below (particularly in relation to the splines and / or further splines), although the overall size and shape of the surgical implant would be configured to allow it to be installed in a tibia or distal femur instead of a proximal femur.

[0038] Similarly, it is envisaged that in some embodiments of this disclosure, the surgical component may be a broach. The broach may be sized and shaped for use in either hip, knee or shoulder surgery.

[0039] Similarly, it is envisaged that in some embodiments of this disclosure, the surgical component may be a trial component. The trial component may be used in a trialling procedure prior to installation of a proximal or distal femoral implant, tibial implant or humeral implant.

[0040] Each surgical implant 10 has a body portion 50, an elongate stem 2 and an elongate neck portion 40.

[0041] In the embodiments shown in Figures 1A-1C, the stem 2 and the elongate neck portion 40 are integrally formed with the body portion 50. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the stem 2 and / or the elongate neck portion 40 may be detachable from the body portion 50. This can allow a modular construction of the surgical component to be achieved, in which differently sized modules (e.g. a larger or smaller stem 2 and / or elongate neck portion 40) can be selected according to the procedure to be performed and attached to the body portion 50.

[0042] Note that the stems 2 in Figures 1A-1C are of different lengths, according to the requirements of the surgical procedure in which they may be used. Thus, the stem, 2 in Figure 1B is longer than the stem 2 in Figure 1A, and the stem 2 in Figure 1C is longer than the stem 2 in Figure 1B.

[0043] To install the implant 10, the proximal femur may first be prepared by cutting away the femoral neck, accessing the intramedullary canal and then reaming the intramedullary canal until it is appropriately shaped to receive the stem 2. In the case of shoulder surgery, analogous preparations may be made to the humerus to access and ream the intramedullary canal of the humerus, whereas in the case of knee surgery, analogous preparations may be made to the distal femur and / or the tibia to access and ream the intramedullary canal of the distal femur or tibia.

[0044] The stem 2 may then be inserted into the intramedullary canal.

[0045] The stem 2 in each embodiment has a distal end 6 and a proximal end 8. The distal end 6 of the stem 2 may form a tip of the surgical implant 10. The proximal end 8 of the stem 2 joins the body portion 50. As shown in Figures 1A-1C, the stem 2 may be tapered such that it is wider at its proximal end 8 than at its distal end 6. The taper angle of the stem 2 may, for instance, be around 2.5°.

[0046] The stem 2 has a longitudinal axis 4, along which the stem 2 extends. When the surgical implant 10 is installed, the longitudinal axis 4 may generally align with a longitudinal axis of the femur (or the humerus, in the case of shoulder surgery, or the femur or tibia in the case of knee surgery).

[0047] The elongate neck portion 40 extends from the body portion 50 along a neck axis 42 of the surgical implant 10. As may be seen in Figures 1A-1C, the neck axis 42 is set at a non-zero with respect to the longitudinal axis 4 of the stem 2, to allow the elongate neck portion 40 to emulate the neck of the femur (or the humerus, in the case of shoulder surgery) when the surgical implant 10 is installed.

[0048] It will be appreciated that in the case of knee surgery, the surgical implant 10 may not include an elongate neck portion 40 but may instead include features associated with the distal femur prosthetic or tibial prosthetic.

[0049] For instance, in one embodiment, the surgical implant 10 may comprise a tibial implant, in which case the body portion 50 may comprise a tibial base. The tibial base may comprise a tibial tray. However, it is also envisaged that the tibial base may provide a surface for mounting the tibial tray on the tibial base. As such, in some embodiments, the tibial base may comprise a connection feature for connecting the tibial base to a corresponding connection feature of a tibial tray. Further details of such embodiments will be described below in relation to Figures 4 and 5.

[0050] In another embodiment, the surgical implant 10 may comprise a (distal) femoral implant, in which case the body portion 50 may comprise a distal femoral component. In some embodiments, the distal femoral component may comprise at least one condyle prosthetic. However, it is also envisaged that the distal femoral component may provide a surface for mounting a further distal femoral component comprising at least one condyle prosthetic. As such, in some embodiments, the distal femoral component may comprise a connection feature for connecting the distal femoral component to a corresponding connection feature of such a further distal femoral component. Further details of such embodiments will be described below in relation to Figure 4.

[0051] The elongate neck portion 40 may have a proximal end 44 and a distal end. The distal end of the elongate neck portion 40 may join with the body portion 50. The proximal end 44 of the elongate neck portion 40 may include a connection feature or connection features for attaching a femoral head implant (or humeral head implant, in the case of shoulder surgery) to the surgical implant 10. It is also envisaged that the proximal end 44 may be integrally formed with a femoral head part.

[0052] The stem 2 has a plurality of splines 20 / 30. As will be described in more detail below in relation to Figure 2, the splines 20 / 30 are located on an outer surface of the stem 2.

[0053] Figure 2 shows a stem 2 of a surgical implant 10 of the kind shown in Figures 1A-1C according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0054] In this embodiment, the stem 2 includes a plurality of splines 20. The splines 20 are circumferentially arranged around the stem 2. Each spline 20 has a distal end 26 and a proximal end 28. As can be seen in Figure 2, the splines 20 are tapered. In particular, each spline 20 is tapered such that it is narrower at a distal part of that spline 20 than at a part of that spline 20 that is proximal with respect to the distal part. For instance, in Figure 2, note that the width of each spline 20 is narrower at location 22 than at location 24.

[0055] In this embodiment, the stem 2 also includes a number of optional further splines 30. The further splines 30 are also circumferentially arranged around the stem 2. Each further spline 30 has a distal end 36 and a proximal end 38.

[0056] In general, the further splines 30 may be configured (shaped) differently to the splines 20 in terms of their length, height, width, cross sectional shape and / or tapering (or lack of tapering).

[0057] In Figure 2, the splines 20 and the further splines 30 may be arranged alternately around the circumference of the stem 2, although this is not essential. Each spline 20 and / or 30 may be separated from its nearest neighbour splines 20 and / or 30 by an intervening trough 12.

[0058] In this embodiment, each further spline 30 has a substantially constant width along its length. However, it is also envisaged that the further splines 30 may be tapered. Thus, each further spline 30 may be tapered such that it is narrower at a distal part of that further spline 30 than at a part of that further spline 30 that is proximal with respect to the distal part. Accordingly, it is envisaged that any of the tapered configurations described herein in relation to the splines 20 may also be applied to the further splines 30.

[0059] The splines 20 and / or the further splines 30 may extend substantially longitudinally along the stem 2. The splines 20 and / or the further splines 30 may extend along substantially a full length of the stem 2. As shown in Figure 2 however, the splines 20 and / or the further splines 30 may distally terminate just short of the tip formed by the distal end 6 of the stem 2. The splines 20 and / or the further splines 30 may proximally terminate at the proximal end 8 of the stem 2, but it is also envisaged that the splines 20 and / or the further splines 30 may proximally terminate at a position located distally with respect to the proximal end 8 of the stem 2. As may be seen in Figures 1A-1C, it is further envisaged that at least some of the splines 20 and / or the further splines 30 may extend proximally beyond the proximal end 8 of the stem 2, such that they proximally terminate on the body portion 50 of the surgical implant 10. It is also envisaged that the further splines 30 may have a different length to the splines 20. For instance, the further splines 30 may proximally terminate either proximally or distally with respect to the splines 20 and / or the further splines 30 may distally terminate either proximally or distally with respect to the splines 20.

[0060] In Figure 2, the splines 20 taper consistently along their length. However, it is envisaged that the tapering of the splines 20 may vary or even halt at certain points along their length.

[0061] For instance, in some embodiments, the degree of tapering along a tapered part of each spline 20 may vary. In one such example, the tapering of each spline 20 may be gradual at or near the distal end 26 and increase at one or more locations along that spline 20. This arrangement may also be reversed, such that the tapering of each spline 20 may be relatively rapid at or near the distal end 26 and decrease at one or more locations along that spline 20. These changes may provide changes in the haptic feedback provided to the surgeon (or impaction system, where a Surgical Automated System (such as KINCISE ™< ) is used) as the stem 2 is inserted into the intramedullary canal (the haptic feedback provided by the splines 20 and / or the further splines 30 with be described in detail below).

[0062] In one or more embodiments, at least some of the splines 20 may include non-tapered regions. For instance, in one embodiment, at least some of the splines 20 each have a distal region and a proximal region, and those splines 20 may be tapered in their distal region and have a constant width in their proximal region. Alternatively, those splines 20 may be tapered in their proximal region and have a constant width in their distal region.

[0063] Returning briefly to Figures 1A-1C, note that in each Figure, a fixation region of the stem 2 of each implant 10 is indicated by the arrows labelled A. Also in Figures 1B-1C, a tapered region of the splines 20 is generally indicated by the arrow labelled B and a non-tapered region of the splines 20 is generally indicated by the arrow labelled C. Note that in each case, the transition from the tapered region B to the non-tapered region C is located proximally with respect to a most proximal part of the fixation region of the stem 2 labelled A (this may also be the case in embodiments in which the splines 20 are tapered in their proximal region and have a constant width in their distal region). In the embodiment of Figure 1A, the splines taper along their complete length (hence Figure 1A includes a region labelled B, but no region labelled C),

[0064] The transition from the tapered region to the region of constant width may provide haptic feedback to the surgeon (or impaction system, where a Surgical Automated System (such as KINCISE ™< ) is used) as will be described below. Moreover, the provision of the non-tapered regions towards the proximal ends 28 of the splines 20 may prevent overcrowding of the splines towards the proximal end 8 of the stem 2 (particularly in longer stems 2 of the kind shown in Figures 1B and 1C) and / or may allow the tapering in the distal regions (or proximal regions) of the splines 20 to be more rapid.

[0065] In accordance with embodiments of this disclosure, the splines 20 may be wider than the further splines 30 for a majority of the length (including the complete length) of the splines 20. An example of such a configuration is shown in Figures 2 and 3. However, it is also envisaged that this configuration may be reversed, such that the splines 20 are narrower than the further splines 30 for a majority of the length (including the complete length) of the splines 20.

[0066] Figure 3 shows a cross section of the stem 2 of Figure 2, through a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis 4. In this embodiment, it can be seen that the further splines 30 are less tall than the splines 20, measured radially outward from the longitudinal axis 4. The difference in height between the splines 20 and the further splines 30 (labelled using reference numeral 32 in Figure 3) may in the region of 0.2-0.5 mm. In the present embodiment, the difference in height 32 is about 0.25mm.

[0067] This configuration can cause the further splines 30 to come into contact with the sidewalls of the intramedullary canal later than the splines 20. This may provide the surgeon (or impaction system, where a Surgical Automated System (such as KINCISE ™< ) is used) with further haptic feedback, as will be described below. It is envisaged that this configuration may be reversed, such that the further splines 30 are taller than the splines 20, measured radially outward from the longitudinal axis 4.

[0068] In accordance with embodiments of this disclosure, the splines 20 and / or the further splines 30 may have a cross sectional shape (i.e. in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis) which is trapezoidal, rectangular (e.g. see Figure 3) or radiused.

[0069] In accordance with embodiments of this disclosure, the maximum widths of the splines 20 and / or the further splines 30 may be around 2.8mm, or more preferably no wider than 2mm. The taper angle of the tapered (parts of) the splines 20 and / or the further splines 30 may be around 1°.

[0070] According to embodiments of this disclosure, there may be provided a surgical kit. The surgical kit may include one or more surgical implants 10 of the kind described herein. The surgical kit may also include other components such as surgical implants or surgical tools.

[0071] As mentioned previously, the configurations of the splines 20 and / or the further splines 30 described herein may provide haptic feedback to the surgeon (or impaction system, where a Surgical Automated System (such as KINCISE ™< ) is used) as the stem 2 is being inserted into the intramedullary canal of a proximal femur (or humerus, in the case of shoulder surgery, or distal femur or tibia in the case of knee surgery).

[0072] In embodiments in which the stem 2 of the surgical implant 10 includes the splines 20 but not the further splines 30, the tapering of the splines 20 may provide haptic feedback to the surgeon (or impaction system, where a Surgical Automated System (such as KINCISE ™< ) is used) as follows. The surgeon may hold the surgical implant (e.g. at the body portion 50 and / or the elongate neck portion 40) while manually inserting the stem 2 into the pre-prepared intramedullary canal. When a Surgical Automated System (such as KINCISE ™< ) is used, the implant 10 may instead be attached to an impaction system for insertion of the stem 2. As the stem 2 is inserted, the splines 20 eventually come into contact with, and begin to dig into the side walls of the intramedullary canal. Friction between the splines 20 and the sidewalls gives rise to a force which resists the further insertion of the stem 2. Owing to the tapering of the splines 20, this resistive force increases as the depth of the stem 2 inside the intramedullary canal increases. This increasing resistance to insertion of the stem 2 provides haptic feedback to the surgeon (or impaction system, where a Surgical Automated System (such as KINCISE ™< ) is used) regarding the position of the stem 2 within the intramedullary canal and can, for example, allow the surgeon (or impaction system) to determine when a desired seating position of the surgical implant 10 within the proximal femur (or the humerus, in the case of shoulder surgery, or distal femur or tibia in the case of knee surgery) is being approached and / or has been reached.

[0073] In embodiments in which the stem 2 of the surgical implant 10 includes the further splines 30, The haptic feedback provided to the surgeon (or impaction system, where a Surgical Automated System (such as KINCISE ™< ) is used) depends upon not only of the shape and configuration of the splines 20 and of the further splines 30, but also on the differences in shape and configuration of the splines 20 and further splines 30.

[0074] Assuming that the splines 20 are taller than the further splines 30, the haptic feedback provided by the splines 20 may be substantially as described above in relation to embodiments not including the further splines 30, at least until the further splines 30 come into contact with the side walls of the intramedullary canal. This is because when the further splines 30 are less tall than the splines 20 (e.g. as shown in Figure 3), the further splines 30 will come into contact with the side walls of the intramedullary canal sometime after the splines 20 have contacted the side walls, and because the further splines 30 do not contribute to the resistive force against further insertion of the stem 2 until they contact the sidewalls. At some point during insertion of the stem 2, the further splines will nevertheless come into contact with the sidewalls. At this point there will be a step change in the resistance force opposing further insertion of the stem 2. This step change may provide the surgeon (or impaction system, where a Surgical Automated System (such as KINCISE ™< ) is used) with further haptic feedback regarding the position of the stem 2 within the intramedullary canal. For instance, in accordance with embodiments of this disclosure, the difference in height between the splines 20 and the further splines 30 maybe chosen such the further splines 30 contact the side walls of the intramedullary canal just before the desired seating position is reached. A typical difference in height of the splines 20 and further splines 30 would be in the region of 0.2-0.5 mm.

[0075] As mentioned previously, the further splines 30 may themselves be tapered in any of the ways described herein in the context of the splines 20. Accordingly, once the further splines 30 have contacted the side walls of the intramedullary canal, the contribution to the overall resistive force opposing further insertion of the stem 2, which is provided by the further splines 30, may itself vary with insertion depth, in much the same way as that described above in relation to the splines 20.

[0076] The further splines 30 may, in some embodiments, be taller than the splines 20. In such embodiments, the further splines 30 would contact the side walls of the intramedullary canal before the splines 20. In embodiments in which the further splines 30 non-tapering and the further splines 30 are taller than the splines 20, the further splines 30 may provide a relatively constant resistive force to further insertion of the stem 2 until the splines 20 contact the sidewalls. In such embodiments, the step change in resistive force associated with the initial contact of the splines 20 with the side walls may provide haptic feedback to the surgeon (or impaction system, where a Surgical Automated System (such as KINCISE ™< ) is used) that the correct seating position of the stem 2 is being approached. Similar considerations also apply where the further splines 30 are taller than the splines 20 and are in some way tapered, albeit that the contribution to the overall insertion resistance provided by the tapered further splines would also change with the insertion depth of the stem 2.

[0077] In embodiments including the further splines 30, the relative contributions to the overall resistive force opposing further insertion of the stem 2 at a given insertion depth may also be determined by selectively tailoring the differences in height, width, cross-sectional shape and / or taper angle of the splines 20 and the further splines 30.

[0078] As noted above, in one embodiment, the surgical implant 10 may comprise a tibial implant and, in another embodiment, the surgical implant 10 may comprise a (distal) femoral implant. Figure 4 shows surgical implants including a (distal) femoral implant 200 and a tibial implant 200 according to embodiments of this disclosure. Figure 5 shows the tibial implant 200 of Figure 4 in more detail.

[0079] In the case of the femoral implant 200 shown in Figure 4, the body portion may comprise a distal femoral component 204. The distal femoral component 204 may be integrally formed with, or connectable to a further distal femoral component comprising at least one condyle prosthetic 202, which includes an articulating surface. As such, the distal femoral component 204 may have a connection feature for connecting the distal femoral component 204 to a corresponding connection feature of the further distal femoral component.

[0080] The (distal) femoral implant 200 may have a stem 202 extending away from the distal femoral component 204. The stem 202 may have splines and / or further splines (indicated at 220 in Figure 4) of the kind described above in relation to Figures 1 to 3. In use, the stem 202 may be inserted into the intramedullary canal of the femur 80.

[0081] In the case of the tibial implant 100 shown in Figures 4 and 5, the body portion may comprise a tibial base 104. The tibial base 104 may be integrally formed with a tibial tray 106, or may be connectable to a tibial tray 106. As such, the tibial base 104 may have a connection feature for connecting the tibial base 104 to a corresponding connection feature of the tibial tray 106.

[0082] The tibial implant 100 may have a stem 102 extending away from the tibial base 104. The stem 102 may have splines and / or further splines (indicated at 120 in Figures 4 and 5) of the kind described above in relation to Figures 1 to 3. In use, the stem 102 may be inserted into the intramedullary canal of the tibia 70. Note that in Figure 5, the tibial implant 100 and tibia 70 are shown coated in cement 72, in preparation for the installation of the tibial implant 100 in the tibia 70. Figure 5 also shows a tibial base cover 108. The tibial base cover 108 may be attached to the tibial base 104 prior to the connection of the tibial tray 106, for example to protect the surface of the tibial base 104 during the surgical procedure. Once the tibial base 104 and stem 102 have been installed in the tibia 70, the tibial base cover 108 may be removed and the tibial tray 106 may be connected to the tibial base 104..

[0083] A surgical method is described, but not claimed. The method may, for instance, form part of a hip (or shoulder, or knee) replacement or revision procedure. In general, the method may comprise the installation of a surgical component of the kind described herein.

[0084] To use the component, the stem 2 / 102 / 202 (e.g. the stem 2 of an implant 10 of the kind described above) may be inserted into the intramedullary canal of the patient's proximal femur (or humerus, in the case of shoulder surgery, or distal femur or tibia in the case of knee surgery). As noted previously, insertion of the stem 2 / 102 / 202 may be preceded by preparatory step such as removing the neck and head of the femur (or the humerus, in the case of shoulder surgery, or analogous preparations of the distal femur or tibia in the case of knee surgery) and reaming the intramedullary canal to size it for receipt of the stem 2 / 102 / 202.

[0085] As the stem 2 / 102 / 202 is being inserted, the surgeon (or impaction system, where a Surgical Automated System (such as KINCISE ™< ) is used) may receive haptic feedback of the kinds described above. As such, the haptic feedback may, for instance, be associated with the increasing resistance to insertion provided by the splines 20 (and possibly also the further splines 30) as the stem 2 / 102 / 202 is inserted, and / or may be associated with the further splines 30 coming into contact with bone defining sidewalls of the intramedullary canal immediately prior to achieving a desired seating depth of the implant.

[0086] Accordingly, there has been described a surgical implant, a kit including the surgical implant, and a surgical method. The surgical implant includes a body portion. The surgical implant also includes an elongate stem for inserting into an intramedullary canal of a patient. The elongate stem extends distally from the body portion. The elongate stem has a longitudinal axis; a proximal end; a distal end; and a plurality of splines located on an outer surface of the stem. The splines are circumferentially arranged around the stem. At least some of the splines are tapered such that each tapered spline is narrower at a distal part of that spline than at a part of that spline that is proximal with respect to the distal part. The surgical implant may further include an elongate neck portion extending from the body portion at a non-zero angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the stem.

[0087] Although particular embodiments of this disclosure have been described, it will be appreciated that many modifications / additions and / or substitutions may be made within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A surgical component comprising: a body portion (50); an elongate stem (2) for inserting into an intramedullary canal of a patient, wherein the elongate stem extends distally from the body portion and has: a longitudinal axis (4); a proximal end (8); a distal end (6); a plurality of splines (20) located on an outer surface of the stem, wherein the splines are circumferentially arranged around the stem, and wherein the splines are tapered such that each tapered spline is narrower at a distal part of that spline than at a part of that spline that is proximal with respect to the distal part; and a plurality of further splines (30) circumferentially arranged around the stem, characterised in that the further splines have a constant width along their full length, and wherein the splines and further splines are alternately arranged around a circumference of the stem.

2. The surgical component of claim 1, wherein each spline has a distal end (26) and a proximal end (28), and wherein at least some of the tapered splines each taper along their full length from the proximal and to the distal end thereof.

3. The surgical component of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein at least some of the tapered splines each have a distal region and a proximal region, wherein: those splines are tapered in their distal region and have a constant width in their proximal region; or those splines are tapered in their proximal region and have a constant width in their distal region.

4. The surgical component of claim 3, wherein, in each spline having a tapered part and a part having a constant width, an interface between the distal region and the proximal region of that spline is located proximally with respect to a fixation region of the stem.

5. The surgical component of any preceding claim, wherein the splines are wider than the further splines for a majority of the length of the splines.

6. The surgical component of any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the splines are narrower than the further splines for a majority of the length of the splines.

7. The surgical component of any preceding claim, wherein at least some of the further splines are tapered such that each tapered further spline is narrower at a distal part of that further spline than at a part of that further spline that is proximal with respect to the distal part.

8. The surgical component of any preceding claim, wherein the further splines are taller than the splines, measured from the longitudinal axis.

9. The surgical component of any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the further splines are less tall than the splines, measured from the longitudinal axis.

10. The surgical component of any preceding claim, wherein at least some of the splines and / or further splines have a cross-sectional shape in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis which is trapezoidal, rectangular or radiused.

11. The surgical component of any preceding claim, wherein the component is: a femoral implant (10), a humeral implant, tibial implant (100), a trial component; or a broach.

12. The surgical component of any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the surgical component further comprises an elongate neck portion (40) extending from the body portion at a non-zero angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the stem.

13. The surgical component of any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the surgical component comprises a femoral implant (10), wherein the body portion comprises a distal femoral component, and wherein: the distal femoral component comprises at least one condyle prosthetic; or the distal femoral component comprises a connection feature for connecting the distal femoral component to a corresponding connection feature of a further distal femoral component comprising at least one condyle prosthetic.

14. The surgical component of any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the surgical component comprises a tibial implant (100), wherein the body portion comprises a tibial base, and wherein: the tibial base comprises a tibial tray; or the tibial base comprises a connection feature for connecting the tibial base to a corresponding connection feature of a tibial tray.

15. A surgical kit including a surgical component according to any preceding claim.