Patent ID: 9707084
Date: 2017-07-18
CPC Classifications: A61F

Claim:
1. A method of replacing a proximal end of a radial bone with a radial head prosthesis having a stem portion and a head portion, the stem portion defining a long axis, the head portion being connected or connectable to the stem portion and including a fixed cup member and a floating articular member, the method comprising: installing the prosthesis such that the stem portion of the prosthesis is attached to a radial bone, the fixed cup member directly articulates with an ulnar bone, and the floating articular member directly articulates with a humeral bone and is movable with respect to the fixed cup member and the stem portion when the radial head prosthesis is finally implanted and fully operational, to change an offset of the floating articular member's center of mass from the long axis of the stem portion, wherein a majority of the floating articular member is located within the fixed cup member when the radial head prosthesis is finally implanted and fully operational, wherein the floating articular member of the head portion is operatively movable with respect to the stem portion and the fixed cup member of the head portion via a first interface that allows translational changes to the offset of the floating articular member's center of mass from the long axis of the stem portion, and wherein the fixed cup member of the head portion is operatively movable with respect to the stem portion via a second interface that allows the fixed cup member to rotate with respect to the stem portion, wherein the first interface is defined by a planar joint located inside the fixed cup member, and connecting the floating articular member to the fixed cup member, and wherein the second interface is defined by a spherical joint connecting the fixed cup member to the stem portion.