U.S. patent application number 17/698295 was filed with the patent office on 2022-06-30 for anterior locking clip.
The applicant listed for this patent is Biomet UK Healthcare Limited. Invention is credited to Mona Alinejad, Paul James Kistle, Russell Lloyd, Robert Metzger.
Application Number | 20220202582 17/698295 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000006207691 |
Filed Date | 2022-06-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220202582 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lloyd; Russell ; et
al. |
June 30, 2022 |
ANTERIOR LOCKING CLIP
Abstract
A prosthetic assembly is provided. The prosthetic assembly
comprises: a tibial tray having a medial retaining bracket, a
lateral retaining bracket and a substantially centrally disposed
boss, a medial bearing, a lateral bearing and a retention clip
having a pair or arms which engage opposite sides of the boss and
trap the medial lateral bearings, against the medial and lateral
retaining brackets, respectively. A method of securing bearing
components to a prosthetic assembly is also provided.
Inventors: |
Lloyd; Russell; (Swindon
Wiltshire, GB) ; Kistle; Paul James; (Swindon,
GB) ; Alinejad; Mona; (London, GB) ; Metzger;
Robert; (Wakarusa, IN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Biomet UK Healthcare Limited |
Bridgend |
|
GB |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000006207691 |
Appl. No.: |
17/698295 |
Filed: |
March 18, 2022 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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16686898 |
Nov 18, 2019 |
11304814 |
|
|
17698295 |
|
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|
15289509 |
Oct 10, 2016 |
10517735 |
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16686898 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F 2002/30481
20130101; A61F 2/3836 20130101; A61F 2220/0008 20130101; A61F 2/389
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61F 2/38 20060101
A61F002/38 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 13, 2015 |
GB |
1518074.8 |
Claims
21. A prosthetic assembly comprising: a medial bearing and a
lateral bearing; a tibial tray comprising: a medial retaining
bracket located at a medial edge of a medial portion of the tibial
tray and a lateral retaining bracket located at a lateral edge of a
lateral portion of the tibial tray; a substantially centrally
located boss; and a tibial stem defining a recess; a resilient
element positionable at least partially within the recess and
connectable to an artificial ligament; and a retention clip
engageable with opposite sides of the boss to trap the medial
bearing and the lateral bearing against the medial retaining
bracket and the lateral retaining bracket, respectively, the
retention clip engageable with the recess of the tibial stem to
retain the resilient element within the recess.
22. The prosthetic assembly of claim 21, wherein the recess
includes a groove configured to receive at least a portion of the
resilient element therein to allow the resilient element to expand
and contract within the stem recess.
23. The prosthetic assembly of claim 21, wherein the recess
includes a first groove and a second groove each configured to
receive a portion of the resilient element therein to allow the
resilient element to expand and contract within the stem
recess.
24. The prosthetic assembly of claim 23, wherein the retention clip
includes a first arm configured to cover the first groove and a
second arm configured to cover the second groove when the retention
clip is engaged with the boss.
25. The prosthetic assembly of claim 24, wherein each of the first
arm and the second arm extend anteriorly-to-posteriorly to engage
opposite sides of the boss, the first arm configured to engage and
trap the medial bearing against the medial retaining bracket, and
the second arm configured to engage and trap the lateral bearing
against the lateral retaining bracket.
26. The prosthetic assembly of claim 25, wherein the first arm is
slidably insertable into a medial passage of the medial bearing and
the second arm is slidably insertable into a lateral passage of the
lateral bearing.
27. The prosthetic assembly of claim 21, wherein the resilient
element includes a ligament anchor configured to connect the
resilient element to the artificial ligament.
28. The prosthetic assembly of claim 21, wherein the resilient
element is a spiral spring.
29. The prosthetic assembly of claim 21 rein the resilient element
is configured to apply tension to the artificial ligament,
30. The prosthetic assembly of claim 29, wherein the resilient
element is configured to expand and contract within the stem recess
in response to a load applied to the artificial ligament.
31. A prosthetic assembly comprising: a medial bearing and a
lateral bearing; a tibial tray comprising: a medial retaining
bracket located at a medial edge of a medial portion of the tibial
tray; a lateral retaining bracket located at a lateral edge of a
lateral portion of the tibial tray; a central boss; and a tibial
stem defining a recess; a resilient element located at least
partially within the recess and connectable to an artificial
ligament; and a retention system engaged with opposite sides of the
boss to secure the medial bearing and the lateral bearing against
the medial retaining bracket and the lateral retaining bracket,
respectively, the retention system engaged with the recess of the
tibial stem to retain the resilient element within the recess.
32. The prosthetic assembly of claim 31, wherein the recess
includes a first groove and a second groove supporting portions of
the resilient element therein to allow the resilient element to
expand and contract within the stem recess.
33. The prosthetic assembly of claim 32, wherein the retention
system includes a first arm covering the first groove and a second
arm covering the second groove.
34. The prosthetic assembly of claim 33, wherein each of the first
arm and the second arm extend anteriorly-to-posteriorly and engage
opposite sides of the boss, the first arm securing the medial
bearing against the medial retaining bracket, and the second aim
securing the lateral bearing against the lateral retaining
bracket.
35. The prosthetic assembly of claim 34, wherein the first arm is
slidably insertable into a medial passage of the medial bearing and
the second arm is slidably insertable into a lateral passage of the
lateral bearing.
36. A prosthetic assembly comprising: a medial bearing and a
lateral bearing; a tibial tray comprising: a medial retaining
bracket located at a medial edge of a medial portion of the tibial
tray; a lateral retaining bracket located at a lateral edge of a
lateral portion of the tibial tray; a substantially centrally
located boss; and a tibial stem defining a recess; a resilient
element positionable at least partially within e recess and
connectable to an artificial ligament; and a retention clip
including a pair of arms configured to engage opposite sides of the
boss and trap a medial bearing and a lateral bearing against the
medial retaining bracket and the lateral retaining bracket,
respectively, the retention clip configured to at least partially
cover the recess of the tibial stem to retain the resilient element
within the recess.
37. The prosthetic assembly of claim 36, wherein the pair of arms
includes a first arm and a second arm extending
anteriorly-to-posteriorly to engage opposite sides of the boss, the
first arm configured to engage and trap the medial bearing against
the medial retaining bracket, and the second arm configured to
engage and trap the lateral bearing against the lateral retaining
bracket.
38. The prosthetic assembly of claim 37, wherein the first arm is
slidably insertable into a medial passage of the medial bearing and
the second arm is slidably insertable into a lateral passage of the
lateral bearing.
39. The prosthetic assembly of claim 36, wherein the resilient
element includes a ligament anchor configured to connect the
resilient element to the artificial ligament.
40. The prosthetic assembly of claim 39, wherein the resilient
element is configured to expand and contract within the stem recess
in response to load applied to the artificial ligament.
Description
CLAIM OF PRIORITY
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 16/686,898, filed Nov. 18, 2019, which is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/289,509, filed
on Oct. 10, 2016, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,517,735, which
claims priority to United Kingdom Application No. 1518074.8, filed
on Oct. 13, 2015, the benefit of priority of each of which is
claimed hereby, and each of which is incorporated by reference
herein in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to a prosthetic assembly
comprising at least one bearing held in place on a prosthetic
component by a retention clip.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Prosthetic tibial components for replacement knee joints
typically comprise a tibial tray which is coupled to the tibia of a
patient and forms a tibial plateau of the tibia. The tibial
component may be a unicondylar tibial component of a partial knee
replacement prosthesis which replaces the proximal surface of a
medial or a lateral tibial condyle. Alternatively, the tibial
component may be part of a total knee replacement prosthesis and
may replace substantially the complete proximal surface of the
tibia and form a tibial plateau of the medial and lateral tibial
condyles.
[0004] Often, separate bearing components are coupled to the tibial
tray, which may be fixed bearing components or mobile bearing
components. Fixed bearing components may additionally comprise
mobile portions which are trapped within the fixed bearing. Any
fixed bearing components must be coupled to the tibial tray to
prevent movement and brackets are often provided on the posterior
regions of the tibial tray which couple to the bearing components.
The bearing components may comprise a pocketed recess in the
posterior region of the bearing to couple with the bracket. The
posterior portion of the bearing may be heavily loaded during some
knee articulations and if a pocket is provided in this location,
reinforcement may be required. In some cases it may be undesirable
to provide a pocket in the posterior region of the bearing, for
example to improve the rigidity of the posterior portion of the
bearing.
[0005] During an operation to implant a prosthetic tibial
component, which comprises one or more fixed bearing components,
the surgeon may select from several bearing components of different
thicknesses and may trial fit a bearing component of one thickness
before selecting another thickness of bearing component to finally
implant. For example, the surgeon may determine that the first
bearing selected was too thick and was applying undesirable load
into the prosthetic knee joint. The surgeon may trial fit several
bearing components before selecting a bearing component with the
correct thickness. It is therefore desirable to allow coupling and
decoupling of fixed bearing components to be as simple as possible
during surgery.
STATEMENTS OF INVENTION
[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a prosthetic assembly comprising: a tibial tray having
a medial retaining bracket, a lateral retaining bracket and a
substantially centrally disposed boss; a medial bearing; a lateral
bearing; and a retention clip having a pair or arms which engage
opposite sides of the boss and trap the medial and lateral bearings
against the medial and lateral retaining brackets respectively.
[0007] The retention clip may trap the medial and lateral bearings
by applying a load in the medial and lateral directions to the
medial and lateral bearings respectively.
[0008] The retention clip may be movably coupled to the prosthetic
assembly.
[0009] The retention clip may be slidably received within a passage
formed in the prosthetic assembly. The passage may be formed
between the tibial tray and the medial and/or lateral bearing
component. For example, the passage may be formed between the
central boss of the tibial tray and the medial and or lateral
bearing component.
[0010] The medial and/or lateral bearing component may further
comprise a recess provided at a substantially central location of
the prosthetic assembly; wherein the passage is formed within the
recess.
[0011] The passage of the prosthetic assembly may extend in an
anterior-posterior direction, and the retention clip may be
inserted into the prosthetic assembly in the anterior-posterior
direction.
[0012] The arm of the retention clip may be displaced by an
interference with the centrally disposed boss.
[0013] The arms and/or body of the retention clip may be resilient,
and the displacement of the arms of the retention clip may cause
the retention clip to clamp the central boss.
[0014] The deformation of the arms of the retention clip may cause
the retention clip to engage the medial and/or lateral bearing
components, thereby applying a load to the medial and/or lateral
bearing components in the medial and/or lateral direction
respectively.
[0015] The retention clip may further comprise a relief slot
configured to prevent distortion in the body of the clip due to the
displacement of the arms.
[0016] The tibial tray and/or the medial and/or lateral bearing
component may further comprise a clip retaining portion, wherein
the retention clip engages the clip retaining portion. Engagement
between the retention clip and the clip retaining portion may act
to prevent disengagement of the retention clip from the prosthetic
assembly.
[0017] The clip retaining portion may be provided on the centrally
disposed boss of the tibial tray.
[0018] The retention clip may comprise an engagement portion
configured to engage the clip retaining portion of the tibial tray
and/or medial and/or lateral bearing component.
[0019] The retention clip may be substantially U-shaped.
[0020] The medial and lateral retaining brackets and/or the medial
and lateral bearings may be configured such that the beatings are
assembled into the prosthetic assembly by translating the medial
and lateral bearings in a generally anterior-posterior direction
relative to the tibial tray.
[0021] The tibial tray may further comprise: a tibial stem
comprising a recess; and a resilient element provided within the
recess; wherein the resilient element is configured to apply
tension to an artificial ligament of the prosthetic assembly; and
wherein the resilient element is retained within the recess by the
retention clip.
[0022] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a method of securing bearing components to a prosthetic
assembly, the method comprising: providing a tibial tray
comprising: a medial retaining bracket; a lateral retaining
bracket; and a substantially centrally disposed boss; providing a
medial bearing component; providing a lateral bearing component;
and coupling a retention clip to the prosthetic assembly, the
retention clip having a pair or arms which engage opposite sides of
the boss and trap the medial and lateral bearings, against the
medial and lateral retaining brackets, respectively.
[0023] To avoid unnecessary repetition of text in the
specification, certain features are described in relation to only
one or several aspects or embodiments of the invention. However, it
is to be understood that, where it is technically possible,
features described in relation to any aspect or embodiment of the
invention may also be used with any other aspect or embodiment of
the invention
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] For a better understanding of the present invention, and to
shown more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference
will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings,
in which:
[0025] FIG. 1 shows a conventional prosthetic joint assembly;
[0026] FIG. 2 shows a tibial component of a prosthetic joint
assembly, according to an example of the present disclosure;
[0027] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a tibial component of a
prosthetic joint assembly according to an example of the present
disclosure;
[0028] FIG. 4 is a view of a coronal section of a tibial component
of a prosthetic joint assembly according to an example of the
present disclosure;
[0029] FIG. 5 is a view of a transverse section of a tibial
component of a prosthetic assembly according to an example of the
present disclosure; and
[0030] FIG. 6 is a view of a sagittal section of a tibial component
of a prosthetic assembly according to an example of the present
disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0031] With reference to FIG. 1, a conventional prosthetic joint
assembly comprises a femoral component 2, a tibial component 4, a
medial bearing component 6 and a lateral bearing component 8. In
use, the femoral component 2 is coupled to a distal end of a femur
(not shown) and the tibial component 4 is coupled to a proximal end
of a tibia (not shown).
[0032] The tibial component 4 comprises a tibial tray with a medial
portion 14 and a lateral portion 16. The medial and lateral bearing
components 6, 8 are coupled to the medial and lateral portions of
the tibial component respectively. The medial and lateral bearing
components comprise proximal bearing surfaces 18, 20, which engage
cooperating bearing surfaces 22, 24 on the femoral component 2. The
bearing surfaces 18, 20, 22, 24 allow the prosthetic joint assembly
to articulate and approximate the range of movement of a natural
knee joint.
[0033] In the prosthetic joint assembly shown in FIG. 1, the medial
and lateral bearing components 6, 8 are mobile bearing components,
which are movably coupled to the medial and lateral portions 14, 16
of the tibial component. This allows a high flexibility of movement
of the joint. The prosthetic assembly 1 may also comprise an
artificial ligament 12 which extends between the tibial component 4
and the femoral component 2. The inclusion of the artificial
ligament 12 provides stability to the joint and prevents
undesirable articulations.
[0034] FIG. 2, shows a tibial component 104 in accordance with an
example of the present disclosure. The tibial component 104
comprises a tibial tray, which supports medial and lateral bearing
components 106, 108. The medial and lateral bearing components are
fixed relative to the tibial component 104. Providing fixed bearing
components 106, 108 within the prosthetic assembly improves the
stability of the joint.
[0035] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the medial and lateral bearing
components 106, 108 comprise recesses 106a, 108a. The recesses
106a, 108a, are formed by slots provided in a medial face of the
lateral bearing component 106 and a lateral face of the medial
bearing component 108. The slots extend from an anterior face of
each bearing component to a posterior face.
[0036] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the proximal bearing surfaces
120, 118 of each bearing extend over the recesses 106a, 108a and
are supported by a portion of the bearing component provided on a
superior side of each slot. The inferior boundary of each slot is
formed by distal walls 106b and 108b, which extends laterally from
respective bearing components.
[0037] When assembled into the prosthetic assembly 1, the recesses
106a, 108a, define medial and lateral passages 136, 138 of the
tibial component 104. The passages 136, 138 are provided at a
substantially central location of the tibial component. As shown in
FIG. 5, the passages 136, 138 extend from an anterior side of the
tibial component 104 towards a posterior side of the tibial
component.
[0038] The prosthetic assembly 1, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, further
comprises a retention clip 110. In the example shown, the retention
clip 110 is a substantially U-shaped clip comprising medial and
lateral arms 110a, 110b and a body 110c extending between the arms.
The retention clip 110 is configured to be received within the
medial and lateral passages formed by the recesses 106a, 108a in
the medial and lateral bearing components, e.g. the retention clip
is configured to be inserted into the tibial component 104 in an
anterior-posterior direction. The aims 110a, 110b are tapered at
distal ends of the arms to ease alignment with the medial and
lateral passages during initial insertion of the retention
clip.
[0039] When inserted into the medial and lateral passages, the
retention clip engages the tibial component 104 and the medial and
lateral bearing components 106, 108. The arms of the retention clip
are configured to apply loads to the medial and lateral bearing
components in the medial and lateral directions respectively, which
trap the bearing components against the tibial component 104.
[0040] With reference to FIGS. 3, 4 & 5, a medial attachment
bracket 126 is provided on the medial portion 114 of the tibial
tray 104 and a lateral attachment bracket 128 is provided on the
lateral portion 116. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the medial
attachment bracket 126 is provided on the medial edge of the medial
portion 114 and the lateral attachment bracket 128 is provided on
the lateral edge of the lateral portion 126. However, it is equally
envisaged that the medial and/or lateral attachment bracket 126,
128 may be provided in other locations on the medial and/or lateral
portion respectively. For example, the medial and/or lateral
attachment bracket may be provided substantially centrally on the
medial and/or lateral portion 114, 116 of the tibial tray.
[0041] With reference to FIG. 4, the medial and lateral bearing
components comprise attachment recesses 130, 132. The medial and
lateral bearing components are coupled to the tibial component 4 by
translating the medial and lateral bearing components in a
generally anterior-posterior direction relative to the tibial tray,
such that the attachment recesses 130, 132 engage the medial and
lateral attachment brackets 126, 128 respectively.
[0042] A boss 134 is provided on the tibial component 104 at a
substantially central location on the tibial tray. The boss 134 is
provided substantially between the medial and lateral passages 136,
138. The width of the boss is greater than the medio-lateral
separation of the passages 136, 138, such that when the retention
clip 110 is assembled in the prosthetic assembly 1, the arms of the
retention clip 110a, 110b engage either side of the boss 134.
[0043] With reference to FIG. 5, the boss 134 comprises medial and
lateral interference portions 134a, 134b, which are configured to
interfere with the distal ends of the arms 110a, 110b of the
retention clip, when the arms are fully received within the
passages 136, 138. A relief slot 110d is provided within the
retention clip 110 to allow the medial and lateral arms to be
displaced medially and laterally respectively, due to their
interference with the boss 134, without distorting the body 110c of
the clip. The relief slot also reduces the stress at the locations
on the retention clip 110 where the arms 110a, 110b join to the
body 110c. When the arms 110a, 110b are displaced in this way,
strain energy is stored within the arms and body 110a, 110b, 110c
of the retention clip causing the arms of the retention clip to
apply a clamping load to the boss 134, e.g. the arms and body of
the retention clip 110 are resilient. The clamping load provided by
the retention clip on the boss acts to resist decoupling of the
retention clip 110 from the tibial component 104.
[0044] With reference to FIG. 6, the tibial component 104 comprises
a stem 140 having a stem recess 142. The stem recess 142 is
configured to receive a resilient element, such as a spiral spring
144, as shown in FIG. 2. In one possible arrangement, the spiral
spring comprises a ligament anchor 144a configured to couple to the
artificial ligament 12. The spiral spring 144 is configured to
apply tension to the ligament 12. In one arrangement the tension in
the ligament is adjusted to be substantially equal to the tension
in a natural anatomical ligament. The spiral spring 144 comprises
one or more projections (not shown) which are received within one
or more grooves 146 provided in the stem recess 142. Contact
between the grooves 146 and projections allows the spiral spring
144 to extend and contract within the stem recess 142 as load is
applied to the ligament 12. As shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, the arms
110a, 110b of the clip 110 cover proximal ends of the grooves 146,
and prevent the projections from being removed from the grooves
whilst the retention clip is assembled. Consequently, the retention
clip can be used to retain the spiral spring 144 within the stem
recess 142.
[0045] In a method of surgery for implanting the prosthetic
assembly 1, the femoral component 2 is implanted onto the distal
end of the femur of a patient and the tibial component 104 is
implanted onto the proximal end of the tibia of the patient.
Bearing components 106, 108, of suitable thicknesses are selected
and coupled to the tibial tray by sliding the bearing component in
a generally anterior-posterior direction against the tibial
component 104, such that the attachment recesses 130, 132 of the
medial and lateral bearing components 106, 108 engage the medial
and lateral attachment brackets provided on the tibial tray.
[0046] Once the medial and lateral bearing components are
assembled, the retention clip 110 is coupled to the prosthetic
assembly 1 by inserting the medial and lateral arms of the
retention clip 110a, 110b into the medial and lateral passages 136,
138 respect until the arms of the retention clip engage the boss
134, as described above.
[0047] When the retention clip 110 is assembled into the prosthetic
assembly 1, the medial and lateral arms of the retention clip 110a,
110b are deflected in the medial and lateral directions
respectively, due to their interference with the boss 134. The arms
of the retention clip 110 engage the medial and lateral bearing
components and apply loads to the bearing components in the medial
and lateral directions respectively. The medial and lateral bearing
components are thereby trapped against their respective attachment
brackets 126, 128.
[0048] The distal walls 106b, 108b, which form the inferior
boundaries of the recesses 106a, 108a, as described above, prevent
the bearing components 106, 108 from being displaced superiorly
relative to the tibial component 104 and disengaging from the
retention clip 110. This ensures that the bearing components 106,
108 remain coupled to the tibial component 104 during normal use,
and are not able to dislocate during articulation of the joint.
[0049] Although interference between the arms 110a, 110b of the
retention clip 110 and the boss 134, as described above, prevents
the retention clip 110 from detaching from the tibial component 104
during normal use, if it is desirable during an operation, a
surgeon may remove the retention clip 110 and decouple either or
both of the bearing components 106, 108 from the tibial tray 4, for
example in order to fit bearing components of a smaller or larger
thickness. As the retention clip 110 is installed into the tibial
component in an anterior-posterior direction, the retention clip
110 may be removed or installed through a very small incision in
the front of a patient's knee, in a minimally invasive surgical
procedure.
[0050] In another arrangement (not shown), the boss 134 comprises
one or more clip retaining portions, such as lugs, provided on the
medial and lateral sides of the boss extending in the medal and
lateral directions respectively. The retention clip comprises
corresponding engagement portions, e.g. recesses, which receive the
protrusions. Engagement between the retention clip recesses and the
protrusions act to prevent the retention clip from disengaging from
the boss.
[0051] In another arrangement, the clip 110 may comprise one or
more protrusions which are received within one or more
corresponding recesses provided on the boss 134. In another
arrangement, one or more clip retaining protrusions and/or recesses
may be provided on the bearing components 106, 108 and
corresponding recesses and/or protrusions may be provided on the
retention clip 110, which are configured to engage the clip
retaining protrusions and/or recesses provided on the bearing
components 106, 108.
[0052] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that
although the invention has been described by way of example, with
reference to one or more exemplary examples, it is not limited to
the disclosed examples and that alternative examples could be
constructed without departing from the scope of the invention as
defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *