A method of improving prosthetic hip lubrication is presented in this application. This method incorporates a grooved ball or grooved cup in the prior art prosthetic hip.
Three distinct variations of grooved ball and grooved cup are presented which will improve prosthetic hip lubrication.
Variation number one is shown on Drawing #3. This variation is shown with a grooved ball, Drawing #1, and a cup without grooves, Drawing #2.
Variation number two is shown on Drawing #6. This variation is shown with a ball without grooves, Drawing #4, and a cup with grooves, Drawing #5.
Variation number three is shown on Drawing #7. This variation is shown with a ball with grooves, Drawing #1, and a cup with grooves, Drawing #5.
As the patient flexes his hip, the ball is rotated in the cup and through capillary action, or through pumping action caused by the ball's movement, body fluid in time will penetrate all the grooves and will lubricate the rubbing surfaces between the cup and ball.
The size, shape, number, orientation and grooves' finish must be determined experimentally for optimum lubricating action of the grooves.
Many types of present art bearings routinely utilize grooves in their designs in order to improve lubrication and thus reduce friction and improve performance of the bearings.
A proven principle of improved bearing lubrication utilized in the bearing industry is incorporated in this prosthetic hip design.
Prior art prosthetic hip designs do not incorporate grooves in either cup or ball. The absence of grooves in present art prosthetic hip designs makes it difficult for body fluids to penetrate and lubricate the rubbing surfaces of the cup and ball. (See drawing #8.)
Drawing #1 Grooved ball
Drawing #2 Cup without grooves
Drawing #3 Assembly, ball with grooves and cup without grooves
Drawing #4 Ball without grooves
Drawing #5 Cup with grooves
Drawing #6 Assembly, cup with grooves and ball without grooves
Drawing #7 Assembly, ball with grooves and cup with grooves
Drawing #8 Assembly, prior art
Illustration A Spiral groove thrust bearing—Reference 1