714 results about "Ball and socket joint" patented technology

A spinal implant for intervertebral disc replacement. The implant is formed from two hemicylindrical elements, each engaging one of an adjacent pair of vertebrae. An articulating ball-and-socket joint between the two elements resists compression and lateral movement between the vertebra, but allows pivotal movement, thereby preserving mobility. Fusion chambers are provided for allowing bone ingrowth to fuse the elements to the vertebrae. Biocompatible, bioreabsorbable struts, shims, fillers and/or end caps are provided for temporary stabilization of the first and second hemicylindrical elements. Bone chips removed from the vertebrae during implantation or bone growth stimulators can be inserted into the fusion chamber or otherwise applied to the implant to enhance bone ingrowth.

A spinal implant for intervertebral disc replacement. The implant is formed from two hemicylindrical elements, each engaging one of an adjacent pair of vertebrae. An articulating ball-and-socket joint and/or rocker and channel between the two elements resists compression and lateral movement between the vertebra, but allows pivotal movement, thereby preserving mobility. Fusion chambers are provided for allowing bone ingrowth to fuse the elements to the vertebrae. Biocompatible, bioreabsorbable struts, shims, fillers and/or end caps are provided for temporary stabilization of the first and second hemicylindrical elements. Bone chips removed from the vertebrae during implantation or bone growth stimulators can be inserted into the fusion chamber or otherwise applied to the implant to enhance bone ingrowth.

A system and method used in total joint arthroplasty of a ball and socket joint such as hip and shoulder replacements for accurate positioning of a prosthesis through pinless surgical navigation during replacement surgery according to a predetermined distance from the center of rotation of the replaced joint and/or articular surface to obtain the proper length, offset, and biomechanics of the replaced joint.

A vertebral shock absorber in the form of an elongated compressible member having two ends, one fastened to an upper vertebra, and the other fastened to a lower vertebra. The elongated member may be fastened using pedicle screws or by way of ball-and-socket joints for enhanced range of motion. In the preferred embodiment, the elongated compressible member is constructed using telescoping sleeves to create a cavity wherein there is disposed a compressible, resilient component such as a spring, elastomeric material, liquid, gel, hydrogel, or other suitable substance. The shock absorber may be combined with an intradiscal component and/or one or more plates that extends at least partially onto a vertebral endplate to facilitate lateral application.

A biopsy guidance device is enclosed based on a tactile imaging probe adapted to accept a biopsy gun. The tactile imaging probe includes a pressure sensing surface providing real-time 2-D images of the underlying tissue structures allowing to detect a lesion. A cannula is provided supported at a center point by a ball and socket joint. The joint is equipped with linear and angular sensors and supports the cannula with the ability to rotate thereof about the center point. The position, linear and angular displacement and direction of the needle tip of a biopsy needle placed inside the cannula is therefore known at all times and provided as a feedback signal to a physician. Also provided to a physician is a position of the target site at a lesion, as well as a linear and angular deviation of the needle tip away from the target site. Such audio, light, or visual feedback allows the physician to correct the insertion angle and depth to confidently reach the target site to perform a biopsy. Method is also disclosed to guide the biopsy procedure.

The invention is directed to a surgical instrument including a handle assembly and a shaft assembly. The handle assembly further includes a fixed handle and a pivoting handle. The shaft assembly extends from the handle assembly and further includes an outer tube and an inner actuation rod that slides coaxially with the outer tube. The shaft assembly includes a rotatable knob to provide 360° rotation. The actuation rod has a proximal end and a distal end; the proximal end has a ball end that couples with the pivoting handle to form a rotatable ball-and-socket joint. The outer tube is formed of plastic and fits over the actuation rod to function as an electrical insulator.

A method of performing an arthroplasty of a ball and socket joint with a surgical navigation system includes the step of digitizing landmarks to provide geometrical parameters of the joint and a limb depending there from, including digitizing aspects of a socket region of the ball and socket joint. A range of motion parameter is determined. A soft tissue tension parameter is determined. A functional goal is computed based on landmark data, the range of motion parameter, the soft tissue tension parameter, and a database of potential implants. An optimal socket position is solved for to minimize impingement of potential implants. An implant is chosen based on the optimal socket position and the functional goal. The joint is prepared to receive the chosen implant. The chosen implant is installed into the joint.

Modular ball and socket joint has 1) a cupped ball head, preferably of ceramic, having a support body with an inferior, deep, distally facing, preferably generally planar, surface having a substantially circular outer boundary thereto; a distally opening stem receiving bore preferably centrally located in the support body; a cup wall, extending distally from the support body and having a preferably substantially cylindrical inner surface which extends from said outer boundary of said distally facing surface; and a superficially facing, generally semispherical, smooth external surface, preferably and optimally of a low friction coefficient, encapsulating the support body and cup wall; and 2) an interchangable and modular stem, preferably of metal or metal alloy, having a distally directed spike, and a superior stem cap which is insertable into the bore of the head; optionally with 3) a head-receiving articular cup having an inner articular surface and a mountable back surface, the articular surface of which, when the head-receiving cup is suitably mounted in suitable receiving stock, mates in articulating contact with said smooth external surface of said head when said head and stem are suitably mounted in suitable receiving stock. The head and stem modularity allows for noticeably increased versatility and efficiency in surgical procedures, and the ceramic material is beneficially adapted for employment in the fabrication of femoral resurfacing implants for conservative arthroplasty.

A total elbow arthroplasty system, incorporating a humeral component, a radial component and a ball component, may be used as a total elbow replacement in the canine, as well as in other species. The implant of the present invention has an isometric humeral component and an isometric radial component. An isometric ball component having an isometric articular surface is mounted on the radial component. The humeral and radial components have stems for mounting in the medullary canals of the respective bones, which are angled so as to approximate the configuration of the original humerus and radius. The components work together to form a nonconstrained ball and socket joint. The invention is also directed to methods for implanting the novel endoprosthesis of the present invention in a canine elbow joint. The apparatus and methods of the present invention are useful in the treatment of elbow osteoarthritis in canines, as well as in other species, including other quadrupeds and humans.

A polyaxial ball and socket joint that can be locked into a fixed position. The fastening system consists of the polyaxial ball and socket joint used in conjunction with a bone screw having threads on one end for use in anchoring to the spine and a spherical connector on the other end operating as a pivot point about which a connecting assembly moves in a polyaxial fashion. A substantially U-shaped connecting assembly has a lower receptacle that operates as a socket for housing an upper retainer ring and a lower split retaining ring. The socket is receptive to the spherical connector which is inserted through the lower split retainer ring causing a momentary displacement thereof which allows for the positioning of the spherical connector between the upper and lower retainer rings.

An artificial disc having a pair of opposing baseplates, for seating against opposing vertebral bone surfaces, separated by a ball and socket joint that includes a ball compression locked to a post extending from one of the baseplates. The ball is captured within a curvate socket formed in a peak of a convex structure attached to the other of the baseplates. The socket is formed by opposing curvate surfaces, one on the convex structure and one on the other of the baseplates. While the ball angulates freely in the socket, the rotation of the ball in the socket has a limited range due to interference between a protrusion on the convex structure that extends into the socket and a curvate recess on the ball. The ball and socket joint therefore permits the baseplates to rotate relative to one another through a limited range and also angulate relative to one another.

A device used for ventilation includes a ventilation mask that can be connected to a respiratory gas hose. The ventilation mask has a respiratory gas hose coupling that is movably connected by a joint with the base of the ventilation mask. The joint is a ball-and-socket joint, which has an inner part that is shaped like a spherical segment and an outer shell for guiding the inner part. The outer shell is constructed from at least two shell segments that can be connected with each other.

The present invention is a solar tracking system which utilizes three supports arranged in a generally tripod configuration. In one embodiment, two of the supports are linear actuators, and the third support is a stationary universally pivoting joint such as a ball and socket joint. The tracking system may include cross-supports for increased stability, a linear rail for additional range of motion, and a mounting base to facilitate installation. This solar tracking system offers a stable, cost-effective design which is also capable of moving the solar module into an optional stowed position.

A ball-and-socket joint with integrated angle sensor for a motor vehicle, especially for the chassis of the motor vehicle is created. The ball-and-socket joint has a ball-and-socket joint housing (6) provided with a joint opening (7), a ball pivot (1) having a joint ball (2) and a pin (3), which is mounted, with its joint ball (2), rotatably and pivotably in a hollow-ball-shaped bearing surface in the ball-and-socket joint housing (6), and projects, with its pin (3), through the joint opening (7) out of the ball-and-socket joint housing (6). A two-pole field transducer (5) is provided at the end of the joint ball (2) facing away from the pin (3). The poles of the field transducer (5) are arranged on the ball surface. In this case, at least two field sensors (13) are arranged at a distance from one another with respect to the meridian plane defined by the large circle on the hollow-ball-shaped bearing surface running at right angles to the bearing longitudinal axis in the area or on the ball-and-socket joint housing (6) facing away from the joint opening, and interact with the field produced by the field transducer (5).

The invention relates to a device for a ball-and-socket-type connection of two members. Said device including a first member and a second member, which are interconnected by a ball-and-socket-type articulation; the first articulation segment is configured on the first member as an articulation head and the second articulation segment is configured on the second member as a cavity that receives the articulation head; the cross-sectional surface of the cavity being tapered at the lower end of the second member as a result of a constriction; at least one of the articulation segments in the contact area of the latter is configured spherically with a center of articulation Z; the ball-and-socket-type connection between the two articulation segments can be detachably fixed by means of a clamping element that can be connected to the second articulation segment; the articulation head has a recess, in which the front end of the clamping element can rest; the recess and/or the front end of the clamping element has an at least partially spherical surface with a centre C; and in the clamped position of the device, the center of articulation Z and the centre C are identical.

An intervertebral stabilization device and method is disclosed. The device preferably includes a planar spring enclosed within a housing. The housing is joined to an articulation component at either end, and the articulation components have couplings connectable to anchoring components which are securable to adjacent vertebrae. The planar spring can flex and retract providing relative motion between the adjacent vertebrae. The articulation components are ball and socket joints which allow the entire assembly to flexibly follow the curvature of the spine. A fusion rod with articulation components and couplings at either end may be substituted for the spring device. The couplings enable interchangeability between a fusion rod assembly and spring assembly, so that dynamic stabilization can occur at one vertebral level and fusion at the adjacent vertebral level. An overhung spring assembly with a sideways displaced housing which allows for a shorter pedicle to pedicle displacement is also disclosed.

The present invention is directed towards ball and socket joint connectors which, when interconnected, form a flexible assembly. In some embodiments, the ball and socket joint connectors are designed and constructed such that the interference fit of the ball and socket causes creep in the material resulting in more even frictions in the various ball and socket joints. In some embodiments, the ball and socket joint connectors utilize an over-molded strip around the outside of the connector to facilitate in their use for gripping. In an exemplary embodiment utilizing the aforementioned ball and socket joint connectors, a tripod apparatus uses legs comprising the ball and socket joint connectors for support and for gripping objects.