Patent ID: 8163027
Filing Date: 2012-04-24
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. A tibial insert comprising: a polymer platform including an upper bearing surface configured to contact and articulate with a femoral condyle of a patient's femur, a polymer keel extending downwardly from the platform, the polymer keel having a midline defining an anterior side and a posterior side of the polymer keel, the polymer platform and the polymer keel forming a monolithic component, a hollow rod spaced-apart from the polymer platform and positioned to extend through a portion of the polymer keel such that a first portion of the hollow rod is positioned in the anterior side of the polymer keel and a second portion of the hollow rod is positioned in the posterior side of the polymer keel, wherein the hollow rod defines an outer shell and an inner passageway and is formed from a material (i) different from and (ii) having an increased rigidity relative to a polymer material from which the polymer keel and polymer platform are formed; and wherein the polymer keel further includes interior passageways in fluid communication with the inner passageway of the hollow rod.