Patent ID: 6039764
Filing Date: 2000-03-21
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
An implantable prosthetic device adapted to form a knee joint between a femur and a tibia as a replacement for a natural knee joint having a medial tibial eminence corresponding to a natural center of internal/external rotation relative to a longitudinal axis of at least one of said femur and said tibia, said device comprising:first fixation means adapted for fixation to a remaining portion of a femur;second fixation means adapted for attachment to a remaining portion of a tibia; anda bearing element disposed between said first fixation means and said second fixation means;wherein engagement of at least one of said first fixation means and said second fixation means with said bearing element allows a component of internal/external rotation of said device relative to a longitudinal axis of at least one of said femur and said tibia, said component of internal/external rotation defining a center of internal/external rotation of said device between said femur and said tibia;wherein said center of internal/external rotation of said device is adjusted to a displaced location to achieve at least one advantage selected from the group consisting of enhancing performance, minimizing wear, compensating for wear and mimicking said natural center of internal/external rotation of said natural joint; andwherein said adjusted location of said center of internal/external rotation of said device generally corresponds to the location of the natural medial tibial eminence, so as to allow said internal/external rotation of said device to approximate said natural center of internal/external rotation.