The present invention relates generally to joint replacement assemblies exhibiting surface lubricant properties. More specifically, the present invention discloses a lubricant retention/distribution pattern formed along an articulating interface established between a spherical exterior surface of a male ball end portion of an artificial implant seated within an encapsulating female receiver/cup. A number of varying micro-groove or channel patterns, both overlapping as well as individually segregated, are provided in order to act as mini-dispersed reservoir locations evenly across the interfacing male ball and female receiver contact surfaces and for holding such as synovial and other naturally occurring lubricants in such a continuously coating fashion that incidences of squeaking or other acoustic emissions are avoided.
The prior art is documented with various types of implant joint assemblies, such typically including polished steel or like surface consistencies. Problems associated with existing artificial implants include the inevitability of surface wear or abrasion, such resulting in loss of articulating function, squeaking or other undesirable acoustic output during ambulatory function, and along with the buildup of particulates in the joint zone resulting from undesirable and non-lubricated material on material contact.
The present invention seeks to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and teaches a joint replacement assembly including a male component seating within a female component and a pattern of microgrooves defined in an articulating surface associated with at least one of the components. A volume of a lubricant is maintained in an evenly distributed fashion across the articulating surface in order to provide at least one of reduced friction, increased wear life, and elimination of squeaking or acoustical emissions.
The microgrooves can exhibit any of a plurality of intersecting and enclosed profiles, a plurality of overlapping and undulating patterns, an intersecting grid pattern, and a plurality of isolated profiles. Other shapes include a concave depression cross sectional profile, each of which can further exhibit a central upward projection associated with the concave depression.
Reference will now be made to the attached drawings, when read in combination with the following detailed description, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which:
As previously described, the present invention discloses a lubricant retention/distribution pattern formed along an articulating interface established between a spherical exterior surface of a male ball end portion of an artificial implant seated within an encapsulating female receiver/cup.
For purposes of ease of illustration the associated first and second joint defining bones are not illustrated however are understood to include either or both natural bones (such as in which the ball and receiver are end mounted in an in situ operation) as well as contemplating the installation of artificial bones integrating the ball and receiver components. A number of varying micro-groove or channel patterns, both overlapping as well as individually segregated, are provided in order to act as mini-dispersed reservoir locations evenly across the interfacing male ball and female receiver contact surfaces and for holding such as synovial and other naturally occurring lubricants in such a continuously coating fashion that incidences of squeaking or other acoustic emissions are avoided.
As is known, synovial fluid exhibits a viscous composition and is typically found in the cavities of articulating joints such as associated with ankle, knee, hip, elbow, wrist, and the like. With its yolk-like consistency (“synovial” partially derives from the ovum, which is Latin for egg) the principal role of synovial fluid is to reduce friction between the articular cartilage of synovial joints during movement. It is understood that, additional to naturally occurring types of synovial lubricants, other artificial or synthetically created lubricants are envisioned which can be synthesized and, then implanted (such as in a hermetically contained articulating zone established between the male ball and female receiver as is depicted in the side cutaway of
Also, and beyond the embodiments depicted herein, it is further understood that the microgroove and lubricant dispersing profiles can be incorporated into either or both of male/ball and female/receiver joint components, such as mounted to reconditioned ends of first and second joint defining bones (not shown). The material construction can include any individual or composite of ceramics, plastics, and metals.
The replacement joint applications, in which the lubricant distribution patterns are incorporated, is further intended to include any mammalian type joint. It is also envisioned and understood that, outside of in situ mammalian retrofit joint applications, the lubricant distribution patterns can be likewise depicted upon any suitable articulating joint associated with any type of manufacturing assembly or mechanism (such as CNC controlled robotic arms associated with spray, welding or other reciprocating/articulating range of motion applications).
The above stated,
As depicted, the arrangement and diameter of the individual circular grooves or channels can vary. As further shown, the individual circular grooves intersect at various locations and which can facilitate the further distribution of lubricant across the opposing articulating surfaces established between the male/ball 10 and an associated female/cup 20 (see cutaway of
Also depicted at 18 in
Referring now to
Illustrated generally at 34 in each of
Having provided a description of a number of non-limiting surface profiles associated with a ball/cup articulating interface, and with successive reference to each of
As further illustrated in the enlarged partial view of
The arrangement and configuration of the individual channel profiles is designed to promote desired lubricant dispersal properties, such as in an effort to promote even coating. The two examples illustrated of the microgroove profiles are amount a potentially unlimited number configurations and which, when factoring in the opposing forces exerted by the spatially dimensioned surface 58, assist in promoting micro-dispersal of lubricant in an even fashion across the male/female articulating interface, such that the micro-volumes of lubricant are encouraged to seep in and out of the individual concave troughs or depressions (formed by profiles 60, 64, 66) to promote maintaining an even lubricant coating or film across the interface.
In this fashion, incidences of such as squeaking or other acoustic emissions are diminished or eliminated entirely. Such acoustic squeaking or other sounds are associated with prior ball bearing type ball and socket implants in which the interface maintains a constant smooth surface profile which dynamically degrades even dispersal of synovial fluid.
In operation, the various grooves/channels operate as reservoirs into which the synovial fluid or other lubricant may freely flow and pool. Naturally occurring forces associated with surface tension cause the synovial fluid/lubricant to “mound up” or create bubble profiles slightly above the lip defining edge of each profile (see further at 70 and 72 in phantom in
As the opposing surface of the joint comes into contact with these channels, a layer of the synovial fluid is continually deposited on the bearing defined surface. The continuous application of such fluid thereby prevents incidences of vibration or friction from occurring, thereby eliminating the acoustic emissions or other squeaking sounds, this in addition to greatly reducing friction and associated wear along the joint zone.
As previously suggested, similar modifications can be incorporated into any orthopedic type hardware where a reduction in friction and wear is desired, this further including applications to the human spine, such as artificial spinal disc replacements and the like.
Having described my invention, other and additional preferred embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains, and without deviating from the scope of the appended claims.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 61/361,101 filed on Jul. 2, 2010 and is a Continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 12/266,695 filed on Nov. 7, 2008, which in turn claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 60/986,486 filed on Nov. 8, 2007. This application is also a Continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 12/411,149 filed on Mar. 25, 2009, which in turn claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 61/039,612 filed on Mar. 26, 2008. This application is also a Continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 12/919,242 filed on Aug. 25, 2010, which in turn claims the benefit of PCT/US2009/041627 filed Apr. 24, 2009, which in turn claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 61/031,192 filed Feb. 25, 2008.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61361101 | Jul 2010 | US | |
60986486 | Nov 2007 | US | |
61039612 | Mar 2008 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 12266695 | Nov 2008 | US |
Child | 13160987 | US | |
Parent | 12411149 | Mar 2009 | US |
Child | 12266695 | US | |
Parent | 12919242 | Aug 2010 | US |
Child | 12411149 | US |