FLEXIBLY COMPLIANT CERAMIC PROSTHETIC MENISCUS FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF DAMAGED CARTILAGE IN ORTHOPEDIC SURGICAL REPAIR OR RECONSTRUCTION OF HIP, KNEE, ANKLE, SHOULDER, ELBOW. WRIST AND OTHER ANATOMICAL JOINTS

Abstract

A Flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus for the replacement of damaged cartilage in the orthopedic surgical repair or reconstruction of hip, knee, ankle, shoulder, elbow, wrist, and other anatomical joints.

Description

A flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus for the replacement of damaged cartilage in orthopedic surgical repair or reconstruction of hip, knee, ankle, shoulder, elbow, wrist, and other anatomical joints.

	61/130,279	Jun. 24, 2008	Edwin Burton Hatch
	61/192,848	Nov. 06, 2008	Edwin Burton Hatch

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	20080119930	May 22, 2008	Yoshihito Osada

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the body, cartilage constitutes the lubricating wear surface, or meniscus, between bone ends in an anatomical joint. When the natural cartilage meniscus deteriorates or is damaged the orthopedic surgeon may replace the damaged or worn bone ends with metal prosthetic parts and insert an artificial meniscus, commonly made from ultra high molecular weight polyethylene to replace the worn out natural cartilage. This type of meniscus material has worked reasonably well. Newer ceramic prosthetic components have proved to be significantly superior because of their excellent wear characteristics. After initial failures, computer controlled machining technology has produced commercially successful spherically concentric ceramic hip and socket prosthetic components for total hip replacement surgeries. However, attempts at producing successful ceramic prosthetic components for knee, ankle, shoulder, elbow, wrist, and other joints have currently met with failure. The complex shapes of the bones within these joints, their rotation, and their movements have produced severe point-of-contact spike surface loadings resulting in broken or fractured ceramic prostheses which require surgical replacement. A new type of ceramic prosthetic meniscus construction is needed that is flexible and compliant to the surfaces of the bone ends within anatomical joints that are able to withstand these severe point-of-contact spike surface loadings in all the varied positions of the bones in those joints. A new type of ceramic prosthetic meniscus construction is needed that is applicable to all anatomical joints.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The types of ceramic fiber prosthetic meniscus constructions described in this invention are applicable to the replacement of damaged cartilage in orthopedic surgical repair or reconstruction of hip, knee, ankle, shoulder, elbow, wrist, and other anatomical joints and provide the long wearing benefits of ceramics. They are inherently compliant to the surfaces of the bone ends of an anatomical joint eliminating the danger of severe point-of-contact spike surface loadings that are created in the many varied natural positions of the bones of a joint when an unexpected heavy joint loading occurs during a fall or under the other normal circumstances of life. They not only distribute both normal and extreme loads in a uniform manner onto the surfaces of the bone ends but they also are able to absorb and distribute body fluids to lubricate the joints to further extend the life of the joint. These types of ceramic fiber prosthetic meniscus constructions can be pre-bonded to prosthetic components in a variety of ways, as here in taught, prior to surgery so that they are ready to be installed in one piece at the time of surgery. Bone glue, which is in general use currently in orthopedic reconstructive surgery, would be a preferred choice to be used to cement these composite prostheses onto reconstructed bone ends. These types of ceramic fiber prosthetic meniscus constructions may also be able to be installed without surgical reconstruction of the bone ends under certain circumstances.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the plan view and a sectional view of a ceramic fiber meniscus comprised of ceramic fibers formed into a rope-like construction which has been cut and coiled into a pad, with the cut ends placed into the interior of the pad.

FIG. 2 shows the plan view of the ceramic fiber meniscus of FIG. 1 which is sewn together with a zigzag stitch pattern.

FIG. 3 shows the plan view of the ceramic fiber meniscus of FIG. 2 which is over-sewn with multiple vertical and horizontal rows of stitches.

FIG. 4 shows the plan view of the ceramic fiber meniscus of FIG. 1 fixed together by being thermally fused.

FIG. 5 shows the plan view of the ceramic fiber meniscus of FIG. 1 being wetted with a liquid ceramic material and being fixed together by being thermally fused.

FIG. 6 shows the plan view of the ceramic fiber meniscus of FIG. 1, comprised of ceramic fibers having two significantly different melting temperatures, fixed together by being thermally fused.

FIG. 7 shows the plan view of a ceramic fiber meniscus comprised of ceramic fibers fixed together into a non-woven felt-like pad.

FIG. 8 shows the plan view of the ceramic fiber meniscus of FIG. 7 fixed together by being thermally fused.

FIG. 9 shows the plan view of the ceramic fiber meniscus of FIG. 8 being wetted with a liquid ceramic material and fixed together by being thermally fused.

FIG. 10 shows the plan view of the ceramic fiber meniscus of FIG. 8 comprised of ceramic fibers having two different melting temperatures and fixed together by being thermally fused.

FIG. 11 shows the plan view of the ceramic fiber meniscus of FIG. 7 comprised of ceramic fibers and polyethylene fibers fixed together in a non-woven felt-like pad.

FIG. 12 shows the plan view of the ceramic fiber meniscus of FIG. 11 fixed together by being thermally fused.

FIG. 13 shows the plan view of the ceramic fiber meniscus of FIG. 11 fixed together by compression molding.

FIG. 14 shows the plan view of the ceramic fiber meniscus of FIG. 11 fixed together by injection molding.

FIG. 15 shows the plan view of the ceramic fiber meniscus of FIG. 7 comprised of ceramic fibers, polyethylene fibers, and ceramic beads fixed together in a non-woven felt-like pad.

FIG. 16 shows the plan view of the ceramic fiber meniscus of FIG. 15 fixed together by being thermally fused.

FIG. 17 shows the plan view of the ceramic fiber meniscus of FIG. 16 fixed together by compression molding.

FIG. 18 shows the plan view of the ceramic fiber meniscus of FIG. 16 fixed together by injection molding.

FIG. 19 shows the plan view of a ceramic meniscus comprised of ceramic beads fixed together in a matrix of polyethylene.

FIG. 20 shows the plan view of the ceramic meniscus of FIG. 19 fixed together by being imbedded in a matrix of solid polyethylene.

FIG. 21 shows the plan view of the ceramic meniscus of FIG. 20 fixed together by compression molding.

FIG. 22 shows the plan view of the ceramic meniscus of FIG. 20 fixed together by injection molding.

FIG. 23 shows the plan view of the ceramic fiber meniscus of FIG. 20 comprised of ceramic beads and ceramic fibers.

FIG. 24 shows the plan view of the ceramic fiber meniscus of FIG. 23 fixed together by compression molding.

FIG. 25 shows the plan view of the ceramic fiber meniscus of FIG. 23 fixed together by injection molding.

FIG. 26 shows the plan view of the ceramic fiber meniscus of FIG. 19 comprised of ceramic beads fixed together in a matrix of structural foam polyethylene.

FIG. 27 shows the plan view of the ceramic fiber meniscus of FIG. 26 fixed together by compression molding.

FIG. 28 shows the plan view of the ceramic fiber meniscus of FIG. 26 fixed together by injection molding.

FIG. 29 shows the plan view of the ceramic fiber meniscus of FIG. 23 comprised of ceramic beads and ceramic fibers fixed together in a matrix of structural foam polyethylene.

FIG. 30 shows the plan view of the ceramic fiber meniscus of FIG. 26 fixed together by compression molding.

FIG. 31 shows the plan view of the ceramic fiber meniscus of FIG. 26 fixed together by injection molding.

FIG. 32 shows the plan view of the ceramic fiber meniscus of FIG. 3, or of FIG. 4, or of FIG. 5, or of FIG. 6, or of FIG. 8, or of FIG. 9, or of FIG. 10, or of FIG. 12, or of FIG. 13, or of FIG. 14, or of FIG. 16, or of FIG. 17, or of FIG. 18, or of FIG. 21, or of FIG. 22, or of FIG. 23, or of FIG. 24, or of FIG. 26, or of FIG. 27, or of FIG. 28, or of FIG. 29, which incorporates a metal perimeter wire to further restrict and control the lateral expansion of the flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus.

FIG. 33 shows the plan view of the ceramic fiber meniscus of FIG. 4, or of FIG. 5, or of FIG. 6, or of FIG. 8, or of FIG. 9, or of FIG. 10, or of FIG. 12, or of FIG. 13, or of FIG. 14, or of FIG. 16, or of FIG. 17, or of FIG. 18, or of FIG. 21, or of FIG. 22, or of FIG. 23, or of FIG. 24, or of FIG. 26, or of FIG. 27, or of FIG. 28, or of FIG. 29, which incorporates voids to increase the compliant flexibility of the flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus.

FIG. 34 shows the plan view and a sectional view of a ceramic fiber meniscus attached to a bone end.

FIG. 35 shows the plan view of the ceramic fiber meniscus of FIG. 35 thermally bonded onto a metal prosthesis with a ceramic bonding material.

FIG. 36 shows the plan view of the ceramic fiber meniscus of FIG. 35 bonded onto a metal prosthesis with an epoxy.

FIG. 37 shows the plan view of the ceramic fiber meniscus of FIG. 35 mounted onto a metal prosthesis with rivets.

FIG. 38 shows the plan view of the ceramic fiber meniscus of FIG. 35 thermally bonded onto a metal prosthesis by means of sewing.

FIG. 39 shows the plan view and a sectional view of a ceramic fiber meniscus of FIG. 35 attached to a bone end by allowing the remaining cartilage tissue to grow onto the ceramic meniscus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For purposes of teaching the principles of this invention to one skilled in the art, references will be made to the illustrated embodiments and their variations here in described. However, it is to be understood that no limitation of the scope of this invention is intended.

This present invention relates to a flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus for the repair or replacement of damaged cartilage in the orthopedic surgical repair or reconstruction of hip, knee, ankle, shoulder, elbow, wrist, and other anatomical joints, comprised of ceramic fibers or of ceramic fibers in combination with polyethylene fibers, other orthopedic plastic fibers, and/or ceramic beads which are sewn together, thermally fused together by flame treatment or by microwave or laser treatment, formed together by compression molding or injection molding, or imbedded in various plastic matrixes so as to create an integral, dimensionally stable, and flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus. Any or all of these variations may incorporate voids or hollow sections to increase the compliant flexibility and/or an imbedded metal perimeter wire to further restrict and control the lateral expansion of the meniscus. Methods of attachment of the various meniscus constructions to end of a bone are also taught.

Where as the invention here in taught applies to all anatomical joints, for purposes of teaching this invention all of the embodiments described and illustrated here in relate to the knee joint.

FIG. 1 shows the plan view and sectional view of a flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus [1] for the repair or replacement of damaged cartilage in the orthopedic surgical repair or reconstruction of hip, knee, ankle, shoulder, elbow, wrist, and other anatomical joints, comprised of ceramic fibers [2] which have been formed together into a rope-like construction which has been cut and coiled into a pad with the cut ends placed into the interior of the pad.

FIG. 2 shows the plan view of the flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus [1] of FIG. 1 comprised of ceramic fibers [2] which have been formed together into a rope-like construction which has been cut and coiled into a pad, with the cut ends placed into the interior of the pad, which pad has been sewn together with a zigzag stitch pattern [3] to join the adjacent ceramic fiber rope-like coils of the pad.

FIG. 3 shows the plan view of a flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus [1] of FIG. 1 comprised of ceramic fibers [2] which have been formed together into a rope-like construction which has been cut and coiled into a pad with the cut ends placed into the interior of the pad, which pad has been sewn together with a zigzag stitch pattern [3] to join the adjacent ceramic fiber rope-like coils of the pad, and which pad has been thereafter over-sewn with multiple vertical and horizontal rows of stitches [3] so as to create an integral, dimensionally stable, and flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus.

FIG. 4 shows the plan view of a flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus [1] of FIG. 1 comprised of ceramic fibers [2] which have been formed together into a rope-like construction which has been cut and coiled into a pad with the cut ends placed into the interior of the pad [1], which pad has been thermally fused [5] so as to create an integral, dimensionally stable, and flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus.

FIG. 5 shows the plan view of a flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus [1] of FIG. 1 comprised of ceramic fibers [2] which have been formed together into a rope-like construction which has been cut and coiled into a pad with the cut ends placed into the interior of the pad, which pad has been wetted with a liquid ceramic material [6] which has a significantly lower melting temperature than that of the ceramic fibers, and which wetted pad has been thermally fused [5] so as to create an integral, dimensionally stable, and flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus.

FIG. 6 shows the plan view of a flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus [1] of FIG. 1 comprised of ceramic fibers which have two significantly different melting temperatures [7], which have been formed together into a rope-like construction which has been cut and coiled into a pad with the cut ends placed into the interior of the pad, which pad has been thermally fused [5] so as to create an integral, dimensionally stable, and flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus.

FIG. 7 shows the plan view of a flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus [8] for the repair or replacement of damaged cartilage in the orthopedic surgical repair or reconstruction of hip, knee, ankle, shoulder, elbow, wrist, and other anatomical joints comprised of ceramic fibers [2] fixed together into a non-woven felt-like pad so as to create an integral, dimensionally stable, and flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus.

FIG. 8 shows the plan view of the meniscus [8] of FIG. 7, comprised of ceramic fibers [2], which has been thermally fused together [5] so as to create an integral, dimensionally stable, and flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus.

FIG. 9 shows the plan view of the meniscus [8] of FIG. 7 comprised of ceramic fibers [2] which have been wetted with a liquid ceramic material [6] which has a significantly lower melting temperature than that of the ceramic fibers, and which wetted pad has been thermally fused [5] so as to create an integral, dimensionally stable, and flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus.

FIG. 10 shows the plan view of the meniscus [8] of FIG. 7 comprised of ceramic fibers having two different melting temperatures [7], which meniscus has been thermally fused [5] so as to create an integral, dimensionally stable, and flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus.

FIG. 11 shows the plan view of the meniscus [8] of FIG. 7 comprised of ceramic fibers [2] and polyethylene fibers [10], which have been fixed together fixed together into a non-woven felt-like pad so as to create an integral, dimensionally stable, and flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus.

FIG. 12 shows the plan view of the meniscus [8] of FIG. 11 comprised of ceramic fibers [2] and polyethylene fibers [10], which have been thermally fused [5] so as to create an integral, dimensionally stable, and flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus.

FIG. 13 shows the plan view of the meniscus [8] of FIG. 11 comprised of ceramic fibers [2] and polyethylene fibers [10], which have been fixed together by compression molding [11] so as to create an integral, dimensionally stable, and flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus.

FIG. 14 shows the plan view of the meniscus [8] of FIG. 11 comprised of ceramic fibers [2] and polyethylene fibers [10], which have been fixed together by injection molding [12] so as to create an integral, dimensionally stable, and flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus.

FIG. 15 shows the plan view of the meniscus [8] of FIG. 7 comprised of ceramic fibers [2], polyethylene fibers [10], and ceramic beads [13] fixed together into a non-woven felt-like pad so as to create an integral, dimensionally stable, and flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus.

FIG. 16 shows the plan view of the meniscus [8] of FIG. 11 comprised of ceramic fibers [2], polyethylene fibers [10], and ceramic beads [13] which have been thermally fused [5] so as to create an integral, dimensionally stable, and flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus.

FIG. 17 shows the plan view of the meniscus [8] of FIG. 11 comprised of ceramic fibers [2], polyethylene fibers [10], and ceramic beads [13] which have been fixed together by compression molding [11] so as to create an integral, dimensionally stable, and flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus.

FIG. 18 shows the plan view of the meniscus [8] of FIG. 11 comprised of ceramic fibers [2], polyethylene fibers [10], and ceramic beads [13] which have been fixed together by injection molding [12] so as to create an integral, dimensionally stable, and flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus.

FIG. 19. shows the plan view of a flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus [14] comprised of ceramic beads [13] imbedded in a matrix of polyethylene [15] so as to create an integral, dimensionally stable, and flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus.

FIG. 20. shows the plan view of a flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus [14] comprised of ceramic beads [13] imbedded in a matrix of solid polyethylene [16] so as to create an integral, dimensionally stable, and flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus.

FIG. 21. shows the plan view of a flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus [14] comprised of ceramic beads [13] imbedded in a matrix of solid polyethylene [16] which have been fixed together by compression molding [11] so as to create an integral, dimensionally stable, and flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus.

FIG. 22. shows the plan view of a flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus [14] comprised of ceramic beads [13] imbedded in a matrix of solid polyethylene [16] which have been fixed together by injection molding [12] so as to create an integral, dimensionally stable, and flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus.

FIG. 23. shows the plan view of a flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus [14] comprised of ceramic beads [13] and ceramic fibers [10] imbedded in a matrix of solid polyethylene [16] which have been fixed together so as to create an integral, dimensionally stable, and flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus.

FIG. 24. shows the plan view of a flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus [14] comprised of ceramic beads [13] and ceramic fibers [10] imbedded in a matrix of solid polyethylene [16] which have been fixed together by compression molding [11] so as to create an integral, dimensionally stable, and flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus.

FIG. 25. shows the plan view of a flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus [14] comprised of ceramic beads [13] and ceramic fibers [10] imbedded in a matrix of solid polyethylene [16] which have been fixed together by injection molding [12] so as to create an integral, dimensionally stable, and flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus.

FIG. 26. shows the plan view of a flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus [14] comprised of ceramic beads [13] imbedded in a matrix of structural foam polyethylene [17] so as to create an integral, dimensionally stable, and flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus.

FIG. 27. shows the plan view of a flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus [14] comprised of ceramic beads [13] imbedded in a matrix of structural foam polyethylene [17] which have been fixed together by compression molding [11] so as to create an integral, dimensionally stable, and flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus.

FIG. 28. shows the plan view of a flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus [14] comprised of ceramic beads [13] imbedded in a matrix of structural foam polyethylene [17] which have been fixed together by injection molding [12] so as to create an integral, dimensionally stable, and flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus.

FIG. 29. shows the plan view of a flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus [14] comprised of ceramic beads [13] and ceramic fibers [10] imbedded in a matrix of structural foam polyethylene [17] which have been fixed together by compression molding [11] so as to create an integral, dimensionally stable, and flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus.

FIG. 30. shows the plan view of a flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus [14] comprised of ceramic beads [13] and ceramic fibers [10] imbedded in a matrix of structural foam polyethylene [17] which have been fixed together by compression molding [11] so as to create an integral, dimensionally stable, and flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus.

FIG. 31. shows the plan view of a flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus [14] comprised of ceramic beads [13] and ceramic fibers [10] imbedded in a matrix of structural foam polyethylene [17] which have been fixed together by injection molding [12] so as to create an integral, dimensionally stable, and flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus.

FIG. 32 shows the plan view of the ceramic fiber meniscus [18] of FIG. 3, or of FIG. 4, or of FIG. 5, or of FIG. 6, or of FIG. 8, or of FIG. 9, or of FIG. 10, or of FIG. 12, or of FIG. 13, or of FIG. 14, or of FIG. 16, or of FIG. 17, or of FIG. 18, or of FIG. 21, or of FIG. 22, or of FIG. 23, or of FIG. 24, or of FIG. 26, or of FIG. 27, or of FIG. 28, or of FIG. 29, which incorporates a metal perimeter wire [19] to further restrict and control the lateral expansion of the flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus.

FIG. 33 shows the plan view of the ceramic fiber meniscus [19] of FIG. 4, or of FIG. 5, or of FIG. 6, or of FIG. 8, or of FIG. 9, or of FIG. 10, or of FIG. 12, or of FIG. 13, or of FIG. 14, or of FIG. 16, or of FIG. 17, or of FIG. 18, or of FIG. 21, or of FIG. 22, or of FIG. 23, or of FIG. 24, or of FIG. 26, or of FIG. 27, or of FIG. 28, or of FIG. 29, which incorporates voids [20] to increase the compliant flexibility of the flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus.

FIG. 34 shows the plan view and a sectional view of a flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus [21] attached to a bone end [22] in an anatomical joint.

FIG. 35 shows the plan view of a flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus [21] thermally bonded onto a metal prosthesis [23] by means of a ceramic bonding material [24] prior to permanently attaching the metal prosthesis to the said bone end with bone glue.

FIG. 36 shows the plan view of a flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus [21] attached to a metal prosthesis [23] by means of an epoxy [25] prior to permanently attaching the metal prosthesis to the said bone end with bone glue.

FIG. 37 shows the plan view of a flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus [21] attached to a metal prosthesis [26] by means of rivets [27] or other mechanical fasteners prior to permanently attaching the metal prosthesis to the said bone end with bone glue.

FIG. 38 shows the plan view and a sectional view of a flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus [21] attached to a bone end [22] by means of sewing [28] the said flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus to the tissues adjacent to the bone end.

FIG. 39 shows the plan view and a sectional view of a flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus [21] attached to a bone end [22] by means of surgically placing the said flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus [21] onto the bone end [22] in the anatomical joint and allowing the remaining cartilage tissue [29] to grow onto the said flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus.

Claims

1. A flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus for the repair or replacement of damaged cartilage in the orthopedic surgical repair or reconstruction of hip, knee, ankle, shoulder, elbow, wrist, and other anatomical joints; which said meniscus is comprised of ceramic fibers formed together into a rope-like construction from which a portion of the said rope-like construction is cut and coiled into a pad, with the cut ends preferably being placed into the interior of the said pad; and which said pad is fixed together so as to create an integral, dimensionally stable, and flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus.

2. The combination as set forth in claim 1 where in the said pad is fixed together by being over-sewn with zigzag stitches and with multiple vertical and horizontal rows of stitches, using a high melting temperature ceramic thread, to join the adjacent coils of the said pad and over-sewn so as to create an integral, dimensionally stable, and flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus.

3. The combination as set forth in claim 1 where in the said pad is fixed together by being thermally fused so as to create an integral, dimensionally stable, and flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus.

4. The combination as set forth in claim 3 where in the said meniscus is wetted with a liquid ceramic material, which said liquid ceramic material has a lower melting temperature than that of the said ceramic fibers, before being thermally fused.

5. The combination as set forth in claim 3 where in the said meniscus is comprised of ceramic fibers having two different melting temperatures.

6. A flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus for the repair or replacement of damaged cartilage in the orthopedic surgical repair or reconstruction of hip, knee, ankle, shoulder, elbow, wrist, and other anatomical joints, where in the said meniscus is comprised of ceramic fibers fixed together into a non-woven felt-like pad so as to create an integral, dimensionally stable, and flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus.

7. The combination as set forth in claim 6 where in the said non-woven felt-like pad is fixed together by being thermally fused.

8. The combination as set forth in claim 7 where in the said non-woven felt-like pad is wetted with a liquid ceramic material, which said liquid ceramic material has a lower melting temperature than that of the said ceramic fibers, before being thermally fused.

9. The combination as set forth in claim 7 where in the said meniscus is comprised of ceramic fibers having two different melting temperatures.

10. The combination as set forth in claim 6 where in the said meniscus comprised of ceramic fibers further incorporates polyethylene fibers, which said polyethylene is selected from a group of polyethylene plastics, which said group includes linear low density polyethylene, medium low density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, high molecular weight polyethylene, and ultra high molecular weight polyethylene, which said fibers are fixed together into a non-woven felt-like pad so as to create an integral, dimensionally stable, and flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus.

11. The combination as set forth in claim 10 where in the said meniscus is fixed together by being thermally fused.

12. The combination as set forth in claim 10 where in the said meniscus is fixed together by compression molding.

13. The combination as set forth in claim 10 where in the said meniscus is fixed together by injection molding.

14. The combination as set forth in claim 10 where in the said meniscus comprised of ceramic fibers and polyethylene fibers further incorporates ceramic beads.

15. The combination as set forth in claim 14 where in the said meniscus is fixed together by being thermally fused.

16. The combination as set forth in claim 14 where in the said meniscus is fixed together by compression molding.

17. The combination as set forth in claim 14 where in the said meniscus is fixed together by injection molding.

18. A flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus for the repair or replacement of damaged cartilage in the orthopedic surgical repair or reconstruction of hip, knee, ankle, shoulder, elbow, wrist, and other anatomical joints, where in the said meniscus is comprised of ceramic beads fixed together in a matrix of polyethylene, which said polyethylene is selected from a group of polyethylene compounds which includes linear low density polyethylene, medium low density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, high molecular weight polyethylene, and ultra high molecular weight polyethylene, so as to create an integral, dimensionally stable, and flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus.

19. The combination as set forth in claim 18 where in the said meniscus comprised of ceramic beads is fixed together in a matrix of solid polyethylene.

20. The combination as set forth in claim 19 where in the said meniscus is fixed together by compression molding.

21. The combination as set forth in claim 19 where in the said meniscus is fixed together by injection molding.

22. The combination as set forth in claim 19 where in the said meniscus comprised of ceramic beads further incorporates ceramic fibers.

23. The combination as set forth in claim 22 where in the said meniscus is fixed together by compression molding.

24. The combination as set forth in claim 22 where in the said meniscus is fixed together by injection molding.

25. The combination as set forth in claim 18 where in the said meniscus comprised of ceramic beads is fixed together in a matrix of structural foam polyethylene.

26. The combination as set forth in claim 25 where in the said meniscus is fixed together by compression molding.

27. The combination as set forth in claim 25 where in the said meniscus is fixed together by injection molding.

28. The combination as set forth in claim 25 where in the said meniscus comprised of ceramic beads and ceramic fibers further incorporates ceramic fibers.

29. The combination as set forth in claim 28 where in the said meniscus is fixed together by compression molding.

30. The combination as set forth in claim 28 where in the said meniscus is fixed together by injection molding.

31. A multiple dependent claim of claim 3, or of claim 4, or of claim 5, or of claim 6, or of claim 8, or of claim 9, or of claim 10, or of claim 12, or of claim 13, or of claim 14, or of claim 16, or of claim 17, or of claim 18, or of claim 21, or of claim 22, or of claim 24, or of claim 25, or of claim 27, or of claim 28, or of claim 30, or of claim 31, which said claim further incorporates a metal perimeter wire to further restrict and control the lateral expansion of the flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus.

32. A multiple dependent claim of claim 4, or of claim 5, or of claim 6, or of claim 8, or of claim 9, or of claim 10, or of claim 12, or of claim 13, or of claim 14, or of claim 16, or of claim 17, or of claim 18, or of claim 21, or of claim 22, or of claim 24, or of claim 25, or of claim 27, or of claim 28, or of claim 30, or of claim 31, which said claim further incorporates voids to increase the compliant flexibility of the flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus.

33. The attachment of a flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus to a bone end in the orthopedic surgical repair or reconstruction of hip, knee, ankle, shoulder, elbow, wrist, or other anatomical joints.

34. Claim 33 where in the attachment of a flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus to a bone end is accomplished by thermally bonding the said flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic onto a metal prosthesis by means of a liquid ceramic material, after which said metal prosthesis is bonded to the said bone end by the use of bone glue.

35. Claim 33 where in the attachment of a flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus to a bone end is accomplished by bonding the said flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic onto a metal prosthesis with an epoxy after which said metal prosthesis is bonded to the said bone end by the use of bone glue.

36. Claim 33 where in the attachment of a flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus to a bone end is accomplished by attaching the said flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic onto a metal prosthesis by the use of rivets after which said metal prosthesis is bonded to the said bone end by the use of bone glue.

37. Claim 33 where in the attachment of a flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus to a bone end is accomplished by sewing the said flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus to the tissues adjacent to the bone end.

38. Claim 33 where in the attachment of a flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus to a bone end is accomplished by surgically placing the said flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus into the anatomical joint and allowing the remaining cartilage tissue to grow onto the said flexibly compliant ceramic prosthetic meniscus. Because many varying and different embodiments may be made within the scope of the invention herein taught and because modifications may be made in the embodiment herein detailed in accordance with the descriptive requirements of the law, it is to be understood that details herein are to be interpreted as illustrative and not limiting.