U.S. patent application number 13/516211 was filed with the patent office on 2013-06-06 for shoulder prosthesis glenoid component.
The applicant listed for this patent is Pierric Deransart, Lucile Ferrand, Brian C. Hodorek, Austin W. Mutchler, Jeffrey M. Ondrla, Yves-Alain Ratron. Invention is credited to Pierric Deransart, Lucile Ferrand, Brian C. Hodorek, Austin W. Mutchler, Jeffrey M. Ondrla, Yves-Alain Ratron.
Application Number | 20130144393 13/516211 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42668487 |
Filed Date | 2013-06-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130144393 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mutchler; Austin W. ; et
al. |
June 6, 2013 |
SHOULDER PROSTHESIS GLENOID COMPONENT
Abstract
This shoulder prosthesis glenoid component (2) has on one of its
faces an articulation surface (S.sub.A) adapted to cooperate with a
humeral head and having, on an opposite face (S.sub.G) adapted to
be immobilized on the glenoid cavity (G) of a shoulder, a keel (4)
for anchoring it in the glenoid cavity (G). This keel (4) comprises
a body (5) that extends from the opposite face (S.sub.G). The keel
(4) comprises at least one fin (6) projecting from the body (5)
which runs over at least a part of the perimeter of the body
(5).
Inventors: |
Mutchler; Austin W.;
(Warsaw, IN) ; Ferrand; Lucile; (Espelette,
FR) ; Ratron; Yves-Alain; (Grenoble, FR) ;
Ondrla; Jeffrey M.; (Warsaw, IN) ; Hodorek; Brian
C.; (Warsaw, IN) ; Deransart; Pierric;
(Saint-Martin-Duriage, FR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Mutchler; Austin W.
Ferrand; Lucile
Ratron; Yves-Alain
Ondrla; Jeffrey M.
Hodorek; Brian C.
Deransart; Pierric |
Warsaw
Espelette
Grenoble
Warsaw
Warsaw
Saint-Martin-Duriage |
IN
IN
IN |
US
FR
FR
US
US
FR |
|
|
Family ID: |
42668487 |
Appl. No.: |
13/516211 |
Filed: |
December 14, 2010 |
PCT Filed: |
December 14, 2010 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2010/069585 |
371 Date: |
January 25, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61286286 |
Dec 14, 2009 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
623/19.11 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F 2220/0033 20130101;
A61F 2002/30902 20130101; A61F 2/4081 20130101; A61F 2230/005
20130101; A61F 2002/30125 20130101; A61F 2002/30171 20130101; A61F
2002/30881 20130101; A61F 2002/30901 20130101; A61F 2002/2817
20130101; A61F 2002/305 20130101; A61F 2230/0019 20130101; A61F
2220/0008 20130101; A61F 2230/0008 20130101; A61F 2002/30153
20130101; A61F 2002/30331 20130101; A61F 2002/30884 20130101; A61F
2220/0025 20130101; A61F 2002/30878 20130101; A61F 2/30749
20130101; A61F 2/4601 20130101; A61F 2002/30571 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
623/19.11 |
International
Class: |
A61F 2/40 20060101
A61F002/40 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 21, 2010 |
FR |
1050376 |
Claims
1. A shoulder prosthesis glenoid component (2) having on one of its
faces an articulation surface (S.sub.A) adapted to cooperate with a
humeral head and having, on an opposite face (S.sub.G) adapted to
be immobilized on the glenoid cavity (G) of a shoulder, a keel (4)
for anchoring it in the glenoid cavity (G), this keel comprising a
body (5) that extends from said opposite face (S.sub.G), wherein
the keel (4) comprises at least one fin (6) projecting from the
body (5) which runs over at least a part of the perimeter of the
body (5).
2. The shoulder prosthesis glenoid component according to claim 1,
wherein the body (5) of the keel (4) has in cross section a
non-circular peripheral contour.
3. The shoulder prosthesis glenoid component according to claim 1,
wherein the at least one fin (6) has a helicoidal shape and winds
around the body (5).
4. The shoulder prosthesis glenoid component according to claim 1,
wherein the body (5) comprises at least one internal passage (22)
opening onto the external surface of the body (5) and connected to
an orifice (24) for injecting a fluid.
5. The shoulder prosthesis glenoid component according to claim 1,
wherein the at least one fin (6) extends in a plane substantially
perpendicular to a longitudinal main axis (X-X') of the body
(5).
6. The shoulder prosthesis glenoid component according to claim 1,
wherein the body (5) comprises at least two separate cylindrical
parts (52, 54) the respective axes (A.sub.52, A.sub.54) of which
are substantially parallel to each other and between which the at
least one fin (6) extends.
7. The shoulder prosthesis glenoid component according to claim 1,
wherein the body (5) includes at least one external peripheral
groove (64) for receiving an elastic ring (62) adapted to expand in
the glenoid cavity (G).
8. The shoulder prosthesis glenoid component according to claim 1,
wherein the body (5) has a star-shaped cross section including at
least three branches and the keel (4) has an eccentric position
relative to a central axis (A.sub.70) of the component (2).
9. The shoulder prosthesis glenoid component according to claim 1,
wherein the at least one fin (6) has a substantially semicircular
peripheral contour.
10. The shoulder prosthesis glenoid component according to claim 1,
wherein the keel (4) comprises a first series (91; 101) of
substantially parallel fins (6).
11. The shoulder prosthesis glenoid component according to claim
10, wherein the keel (4) further comprises at least one second
series (92; 102) of parallel fins (6), of width (d.sub.2) greater
than that (d.sub.1) of the first fins (91; 101) and placed at a
distance from the opposite face (S.sub.G) along a longitudinal main
axis (X-X') of the body (5) less than that of the first series of
fins.
12. The shoulder prosthesis glenoid component according to claim
11, wherein the fins (6) of the at least one second series (102) of
fins have a shape that is geometrically similar to the shape of the
opposite face (S.sub.G).
13. The shoulder prosthesis glenoid component according to claim 1,
wherein the articulation surface (S.sub.A) is carried by an element
(112) adapted to be mounted in a preferably metal shell (114) of
the component (2) carrying the opposite face (S.sub.G) and in one
piece with the body (5) of the keel (4).
14. The shoulder prosthesis glenoid component according to claim 1,
wherein the body (5) of the keel (4) comprises a flexible sheath
(120) provided with the at least one fin (6) into which a part
(121) in one piece with the opposite face (S.sub.G) is adapted to
fit.
15. The shoulder prosthesis glenoid component according to claim 1,
wherein the at least one fin (6) is made of a deformable
material.
16. The shoulder prosthesis glenoid component according to claim 1,
wherein the body (5) of the keel (4) includes a hole (31, 128)
passing through the body (5).
Description
[0001] The present invention concerns a shoulder prosthesis glenoid
component.
[0002] In the field of shoulder prostheses, it is routine to use a
glenoid component comprising an articulation surface, a bearing
surface on a shoulder glenoid cavity and means for fixing the
component in the glenoid cavity. These means may constitute screws,
pegs, rods or keels or combinations of these means. It is known in
particular from US-A-2001/0037153 to produce components provided
with cylindrical studs of circular section.
[0003] These solutions have drawbacks linked to the mode of
implanting the glenoid component in the glenoid cavity of the
shoulder. The conjugate effects of movement of the arm and aging of
the component tend to loosen the fixing of the component and cause
deterioration of its fixing means. In particular, the eccentric
forces exerted by the head of the humerus on the articulation
surface are liable to reduce the firmness of a keel-type fixing of
the glenoid component, in that part of the keel is anchored in the
spongy part of the bone. Moreover, studs such as are known from the
aforementioned document are not able to block rotation of the
components in the glenoid cavity.
[0004] It is these drawbacks that the invention aims more
particularly to remedy by proposing a new keel-type glenoid
component the fixing of which is made reliable and durable.
[0005] To this end, the invention provides a shoulder prosthesis
glenoid component having on one of its faces an articulation
surface adapted to cooperate with a humeral head and an opposite
face. This component further includes a keel for anchoring it in
the glenoid cavity of a shoulder, comprising a body that extends
from an opposite face adapted to be immobilized in the glenoid
cavity. This component is characterized in that the keel comprises
at least one fin projecting from the body which runs over at least
a part of the perimeter of the body.
[0006] Thanks to the invention, the fixing of the component in the
glenoid cavity is improved compared to fixing using a keel with no
fins, the free spaces created by the fins encouraging locking of
the component in the glenoid cavity by bone growth in these spaces.
Adding fins to the keel of the glenoid component therefore makes it
possible to improve the stability and the service life of the
prosthesis.
[0007] According to advantageous but non-mandatory aspects of the
invention, such a component may incorporate one or more of the
following features, in all technically permissible combinations:
[0008] The body of the keel has in cross section a non-circular
peripheral contour. [0009] The fin or at least one of the fins has
a helicoidal shape and winds around the body. [0010] The body
comprises at least one internal passage opening onto the external
surface of the body and connected to an orifice for injecting a
fluid such as a bone substitute or a solution containing growth
factors. [0011] The fin or at least one of the fins extends in a
plane substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal main axis of
the body. [0012] The body comprises at least two separate
cylindrical parts the respective axes of which are substantially
parallel to each other and between which the fin or fins extend(s).
[0013] The body includes at least one external peripheral groove
for receiving an elastic ring adapted to expand in the glenoid
cavity. [0014] The body has a star-shaped cross section including
at least three branches and the keel has an eccentric position
relative to a central axis of the component. [0015] The fin or at
least one of the fins has a substantially semicircular peripheral
contour. [0016] The keel comprises a first series of substantially
parallel fins. [0017] The keel further comprises at least one
second series of parallel fins, of width greater than that of the
first fins and placed at a distance from the opposite face along a
longitudinal main axis of the body less than that of the first
series of fins. [0018] The fins of the or each second series of
fins have a shape that is geometrically similar to the shape of the
opposite face. [0019] The articulation surface is carried by an
element adapted to be mounted in a preferably metal shell of the
component carrying the opposite face and in one piece with the body
of the keel. [0020] The body of the keel comprises a flexible
sheath provided with the fin or fins into which a part in one piece
with the opposite face is adapted to fit. [0021] The fins are made
of a deformable material chosen from materials such as polyethylene
or other polymer materials. [0022] The body of the keel includes a
hole passing through the body.
[0023] The invention will be better understood and other advantages
thereof will become more clearly apparent in the light of the
following description of a glenoid component of various embodiments
of the invention given by way of example only and with reference to
the drawings, in which:
[0024] FIG. 1 is a front view of a glenoid component of the
invention, corresponding to a generic embodiment and shown
implanted in the glenoid cavity of a shoulder.
[0025] FIG. 2 is a front view of a glenoid component according to a
specific first embodiment of the invention.
[0026] FIG. 3 is a front view of a glenoid component according to a
second embodiment of the invention.
[0027] FIG. 4 is a front view of a glenoid component according to a
third embodiment of the invention.
[0028] FIG. 5a is a front view of a glenoid component according to
a fourth embodiment of the invention.
[0029] FIG. 5b is a front view of a glenoid component according to
a variant of the fourth embodiment of the invention.
[0030] FIG. 5c is a front view of a glenoid component according to
a second variant of the fourth embodiment of the invention.
[0031] FIG. 6 is a front view of a glenoid component according to a
fifth embodiment of the invention.
[0032] FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the glenoid component from FIG.
6.
[0033] FIG. 8 is a front view of a glenoid component according to a
sixth embodiment of the invention implanted in the glenoid cavity
of a shoulder.
[0034] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a glenoid component
according to a seventh embodiment of the invention.
[0035] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a glenoid component
according to an eighth embodiment of the invention.
[0036] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a glenoid component
according to a ninth embodiment of the invention.
[0037] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a glenoid component
according to a tenth embodiment of the invention.
[0038] FIG. 13 is a side view of the glenoid component from FIG.
12.
[0039] FIG. 14 is a section on a median plane of a glenoid
component according to an eleventh embodiment of the invention.
[0040] FIG. 15 is a section in a median plane of a glenoid
component according to a twelfth embodiment of the invention
implanted in the glenoid cavity of a shoulder socket.
[0041] The glenoid component 2 represented in FIGS. 1 to 15 is
adapted to be fixed on the glenoid cavity G of a shoulder of a
human being. The glenoid component 2 has an articulation surface
S.sub.A, here generally concave, intended to cooperate with a
humeral component, not shown, that may be prosthetic or natural.
The surface S.sub.A may equally be convex in order to cooperate
with a concave spherical surface of the humeral component, notably
in the case of a reversed prosthesis.
[0042] The component 2 has on the side opposite its articulation
surface S.sub.A a face S.sub.G that bears on the glenoid cavity G.
This face S.sub.G can be superposed on that of the glenoid cavity
and is generally of convex shape. However, as a function of the
shape of the socket G, the face S.sub.G may have other shapes,
notably plane in order to fit a flat-bottomed glenoid cavity G.
[0043] For fixing it into the glenoid cavity G, the glenoid
component 2 includes an anchor keel 4. This keel 4 consists mainly
of a body 5 extending from the central region of the bearing face
S.sub.G. This keel is intended to be immobilized in a drilled hole
P or the like of corresponding size and shape produced in the
socket G. In practice, the keel 4 may have an external envelope of
varied dimensions and shapes so as to have in cross section a
non-circular peripheral contour in order to block rotation of the
component in the glenoid cavity G. In particular, the keel 4 may
preferably have an envelope of truncated pyramid shape, the base of
which may be substantially square or rectangular. Alternatively,
this envelope may be of frustoconical shape with a substantially
elliptical base. In all cases, the geometry of the body 5 defines a
longitudinal main axis X-X' transverse to the articulation surface
S.sub.A and to the bearing face S.sub.G.
[0044] As shown generically in FIG. 1, the keel 4 of the component
2 is provided with at least one fin 6. Each fin is constituted of a
wall projecting from the body 5 and has two substantially parallel
opposite surfaces 11 and 12 separated by a distance e that defines
the thickness of the fin. The fin or fins may run along part or the
whole of the perimeter of the keel 4, this perimeter being defined
by the peripheral surface enveloping the body 5 around the
longitudinal axis X-X' from the face S.sub.G at the axially
opposite end 8 of this body. For fixing the implant, the distance
between the bearing surface S.sub.G and the first fin 6
advantageously corresponds to the average thickness of cortical
bone tissue constituting the surface of the glenoid cavity. Thus
during insertion of the prosthesis all of the fins 6 are inserted
into the spongy bone tissue of the glenoid cavity, trapping the
cortical structure between the fins 6 and the bearing surface
S.sub.G in order to render extraction of the prosthesis more
difficult.
[0045] References common to the specific embodiments described
hereinafter remain unchanged. The references that differentiate
these embodiments include a numerical prefix corresponding to the
numbering of the embodiment described.
[0046] In the first embodiment represented in FIG. 2 the keel 4 is
provided with a single fin 6. This fin 6 is of helicoidal shape and
winds around the body 5 of the keel 4 along the longitudinal main
axis X-X' and with a pitch that either is constant or varies. The
helicoid described by the fin 6 advantageously winds continuously
around the body 5 of the keel 4.
[0047] This embodiment has, among others, the particular benefit of
encouraging bone growth producing a continuous volume of bone
material representing a high fixing power and firmness. This volume
of material may equally be produced by a bone substitute, which may
be introduced into the drilled hole P.
[0048] In a second embodiment represented in FIG. 3 the body of the
keel 4 comprises a network of internal passages 22. These internal
passages 22 open onto the external surface of the body 5,
preferably between two successive fins 6. They advantageously pass
completely through the body of the keel, communicate with each
other and are connected to an orifice 24 for injecting a fluid.
This injection orifice 24 is preferably situated on the
articulation surface S.sub.A of the component 2 and must be used to
inject into the internal passages 22 a bone substitute, preferably
bioresorbable, or a solution containing growth factors. The
injection of a solution containing growth factors has the object of
accelerating and encouraging bone growth in the gap induced by the
presence of the fins in order to make firm the fixing of the
component 2 into the glenoid cavity G.
[0049] In a third embodiment of the invention represented in FIG. 4
the keel 4 includes a series of fins 6, the surfaces 11 and 12 of
each fin being parallel to the surfaces of the other fins. The keel
4 can thus have a plurality of parallel fins 6 over a part of its
perimeter, as in FIG. 4. As represented in this figure, the fins 6
may be inclined in the direction of the end 8. This inclination
makes it possible to facilitate the insertion of the component into
the glenoid cavity and to prevent its withdrawal, the fins 6
tending to spread apart in the spongy tissue.
[0050] The implantation of such a series of fins 6 makes it
possible, among other things, to improve the immobilization of the
component 2 in the glenoid cavity G. The distance D between two
successive fins of the series, which is defined by the distance
between the surface 11 of one of the fins and the surface 12 of the
next fin in the series, is chosen in order to optimize the
stability of fixing and the efficacy of bone growth. A small
distance D between the fins 6 may induce a high stability of fixing
and fast bone growth in the gaps, but the bony reinforcement
created in this gap will be less firm than a bony reinforcement
generated between fins with a greater spacing. The distance D
between the two successive fins may be different from one pair of
fins to another.
[0051] As shown in FIG. 4, the keel 4 may include at least one hole
31 passing completely through the body 5, preferably in a direction
corresponding to the smallest dimension of the cross section of the
body 5. Like the fins 6, this hole serves to improve the retention
of the component by encouraging bone regrowth in the space
created.
[0052] It will be noted that the presence of such a hole 31 may be
considered independently of the presence of the fins 6.
[0053] In a fourth embodiment represented in FIGS. 5a, 5b and 5c
the fins 6 of the keel 4 are disposed perpendicularly to the
longitudinal main axis X-X' of the body 5 of the keel. The surfaces
11 and 12 of the walls constituting the fins are thus contained in
planes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X-X'. This
disposition of the fins 6 provides a more efficacious fixing if the
forces that are exerted on the component 2 are directed along the
longitudinal axis X-X'.
[0054] In this regard, the body 5 of the keel 4 may be of
parallelepiped shape with the overall external envelope of the keel
resembling a truncated cone with an elliptical base or a truncated
pyramid, as shown in FIG. 5b. To this end, the width of the fins,
i.e. the dimension of their projection from the external surface of
the body 5, decreases between the bearing face S.sub.G and the end
8. This increases the stability of the component 2 near the bearing
face S.sub.G.
[0055] The body 5 of the keel 4 may equally have the external shape
of a truncated cone with an elliptical base or a truncated pyramid,
as shown in FIGS. 5a and 5c, the fins 6 being of identical width.
The overall exterior envelope of the keel 4 is then conical. In a
variant that is not shown, the body 5 may be frustoconical or
pyramidal and the keel 4 have a cylindrical envelope with an
elliptical base and vice-versa. The body 5 and/or the external
envelope of the keel 4 may equally have an inverted cone or
inverted pyramid shape the area of the section of which increases
toward the end 8.
[0056] As shown in FIG. 5c the body 5 of the keel 4 may include an
opening 41 extending along the axis X-X' over a middle part of the
body 5. This opening 41 may extend along the axis X-X' over all or
part of the body 5. Such an opening enables movement toward each
other of the two lateral parts created in this way when inserting
the component. The tendency of these two parts to move apart makes
it possible to improve the retention of the component.
[0057] In a fifth embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 6 and
7, the body 5 of the keel 4 comprises two separate and parallel
cylindrical parts 52 and 54. These cylindrical parts, the number of
which is not limited, may be of circular section. These cylindrical
parts extend from the bearing face S.sub.G along longitudinal
parallel axes A.sub.52 and A.sub.54. The two cylindrical parts 52
and 54 advantageously extend parallel to the longitudinal main axis
X-X' of the body of the keel. Alternatively, the cylindrical parts
52 and 54 may extend along longitudinal axes A.sub.52 and A.sub.54
inclined one relative to the other and also relative to the axis
X-X'.
[0058] Between these two cylindrical parts 52 and 54 extends a
central connecting wall 56 on which the fins 6 are implanted. The
fins thus extend between the two cylindrical parts 52 and 54.
[0059] The dimensions of the section of these cylindrical parts 52
and 54 correspond to the dimensions of drilled holes P produced in
the glenoid cavity G for implanting the component 2. If these
cylindrical parts 52 and 54 are of circular section, the dimensions
taken into account to define the geometry of the cylindrical parts
is that of the drill used to produce the drilled holes P in the
glenoid cavity G. A slightly tight fit may be chosen in order to
obtain greater stability of the implantation of the component
2.
[0060] In this embodiment, the fins 6 may be made of a deformable
material able to exert a pressure on the walls of a slot produced
in the glenoid cavity G to connect the two drilled holes P. For
example, the fins 6 may be made of a polymer material or
polyethylene.
[0061] In a sixth embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 8 the
body 5 of the keel 4 includes at least one elastic ring 62. The
function of this elastic ring 62 is to exert pressure on the wall
of the drilled hole produced in the glenoid cavity G in order to
strengthen the firmness of the implantation.
[0062] The elastic ring 62 is housed in a peripheral external
groove 64 formed on the body 5 of the keel 4 that extends over the
whole of the perimeter of the keel.
[0063] The exterior dimensions of the elastic ring 62 in the
relaxed configuration are greater than the dimensions of the
drilled hole P produced in the glenoid cavity G. Moreover, the
elastic ring 62 has an oblique peripheral edge 66 converging toward
the longitudinal main axis X-X' of the body 5 of the keel 4 in the
direction of the end 8 of the keel. When inserting the glenoid
component 2 in the glenoid cavity G, this particular geometry
enables sliding of the cortical wall C of the glenoid cavity along
the oblique edge 66 of the elastic ring 62 and retraction of the
elastic ring into the peripheral groove 64. Once the component has
been inserted in the glenoid cavity G, the elastic ring 62 relaxes
into the spongy part of the glenoid cavity G, blocking the
movements of the component 2 along the longitudinal axis X-X' of
the body 5 of the keel 4 thanks to its exterior dimensions being
greater than the dimensions of the drilled hole in the cortical
wall. A plurality of elastic rings 62 may be used in this
embodiment.
[0064] It will be noted that the presence of such a ring 62 may be
considered independently of the presence of the fins 6.
[0065] In a seventh embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 9,
the body 5 of the keel 4 has on a plane perpendicular to its
longitudinal axis X-X' a star-shaped cross section including at
least three branches.
[0066] The keel 5 then consists of at least three contiguous
flanges 71, 72 and 73 each oriented relative to the other two at
two substantially equal angles. The fins 6 are implanted on the
three contiguous flanges 71, 72 and 73.
[0067] This keel geometry makes it possible to obtain increased
stability about the longitudinal axis X-X' by preventing rotation
of the glenoid component 2 about that axis.
[0068] The position of the keel 4 on the bearing face S.sub.G may
then be eccentric relative to an axis A.sub.70 passing through the
geometrical centre of the face S.sub.G and substantially
perpendicular to that surface.
[0069] In an eighth embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 10
the fins 6 have surfaces 11 and 12 with semicircular free edges. If
the body 5 has substantially the shape of a substantially plane
thick wall, the fins 6 may extend from each side 81 and 82 of that
wall.
[0070] In a ninth embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the keel 4 comprises
two separate series 91 and 92 of fins 6. These two series of fins
are staggered along the longitudinal main axis X-X' of the body 5.
The series 91 of fins adjoins the end 8 of the keel and the second
series 92 of fins is on the longitudinal axis X-X' between the
first series 91 of fins and the bearing face S.sub.G on the glenoid
cavity.
[0071] The series 92 of fins is wider than the series 91 of fins,
i.e. the average distance d.sub.1 between the external surface of
the body 5 of the keel 4 and the free edge of the fins of the
series 91 is less than the distance d.sub.2 between the external
surface of the body 5 of the keel 4 and the free edge 94 of the
fins of the series 92.
[0072] This particular geometry makes it possible for the fins of
the series 92 to fulfil the primary fixing function, which consists
in stable implantation of the component in the glenoid cavity,
thanks to their width being greater than those of the fins of the
series 91. Thanks to their narrow width, the first fins 91 fulfil
the secondary fixing function by virtue of bone growth in the gaps
that they delimit.
[0073] In a tenth embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 12 and
13 the keel 4 of the glenoid component 2 comprises two series 101
and 102 of fins 6, the series 102 of fins closer to the bearing
face S.sub.G having surfaces geometrically similar to the bearing
surface S.sub.G. The series 102 of fins thus has surfaces 103 that
may be superposed on the bearing face S.sub.G of the glenoid cavity
G. This geometry enables these fins to exert forces on the glenoid
cavity G in the same direction as the bearing forces exerted by the
face S.sub.G, which creates increased stability of the fixing of
the glenoid component 2.
[0074] In an eleventh embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 14
the glenoid component 2 is made up of two elements. One element
112, preferably made of a polymer material and carrying the
articulation surface S.sub.A, is mounted in a preferably metal
shell 114. The metal shell 114 carries the bearing face S.sub.G of
the socket and forms a part of the body 5 of the keel 4. The metal
shell 114 is intended to be implanted in glenoid cavity G of the
shoulder and to this end includes fins 6. The shell 114 may equally
be made of ceramic and have a partly porous surface.
[0075] In order to provide a space for movement of the polymer
material element 112, the geometry of the metal shell 114 provides
a clearance J.sub.11 between the surfaces of contact between the
polymer element 112 and the metal shell 114 at the level of an area
of the glenoid component 2 situated outside the glenoid cavity G.
By authorizing this freedom of movement of the polymer element 112,
plastic deformation of that element is prevented and the forces
exerted on the component 2 where it is implanted in the glenoid
cavity G are reduced, which makes it possible to increase its
service life and stability.
[0076] In a twelfth embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 15
the body 5 of the keel 4 comprises a flexible sheath 120
surrounding a rod 121 in one piece with the face S.sub.G on which
the fins 6 are implanted. This elastic sheath 120, which may be
made of a polymer material, comprises an end rim 122 adapted to
bear on the glenoid cavity G. The part of the flexible sheath 120
intended to be implanted in the glenoid cavity G is elastic so as
to be retracted in the relaxed configuration. In this way, the
flexible sheath 120 is inserted into the hole P drilled in the
glenoid cavity G. The rod 121 is then inserted in the flexible
sheath 120, enlarging it in order for its fin or fins 6 to spread
apart in the glenoid cavity G to lock the implantation of the
glenoid component 2.
[0077] To counter the tendency of the flexible sheath 120 to expel
the rod 121, having the rod protrude from the flexible sheath 120
and providing on it a shoulder 126 widening the part of the rod
projecting from the flexible sheath may be envisaged. In order to
block movements in translation of the rod 121 in the flexible
sheath 120, this shoulder 126 bears against the end 124 of the
flexible sheath anchored in the glenoid cavity G.
[0078] The end 8 of the body 5 of the keel 4 carried by the rod 121
advantageously includes at least one hole 128 the function of which
is to encourage bone growth in the space created in order to
increase the stability of the fixing.
[0079] In a variant that is not shown, the glenoid component 2 may
include, in addition to the anchor keel 4, an eccentric peg
projecting from the face S.sub.G and making it possible to improve
the fixing of the component in the socket G, in particular blocking
its rotation.
[0080] Of course, the features of the embodiments shown may be
combined with each other in the context of the present
invention.
* * * * *