Patent ID: 6530957
Filing Date: 2003-03-11
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
An improvement in a modular humeral shoulder prosthesis for implantation in a natural humerus to replace a humeral head of a natural shoulder joint with a prosthetic implant which is to replicate the natural shoulder joint and in which a humeral head component is coupled with a humeral stem component in a prescribed location and orientation by the interoperative engagement of interlocking tapered connector elements located on the humeral head component and on the humeral stem component, the improvement comprising:a humeral head member including an obverse surface providing a bearing surface following a spherical surface contour having a prescribed radius and a central axis, and a reverse surface extending transverse to the central axis; a humeral stem member including a platform for confronting the reverse surface of the humeral head member, and a stem integral with and depending from the platform; and multiple tapered connector elements including at least: a first tapered connector element located on the humeral head member and extending in a first direction spaced transversely from the central axis by a first predetermined offset distance; a second tapered connector element located on the humeral head member and extending in a second direction spaced transversely from the central axis by a second predetermined offset distance, the second predetermined offset distance being different from the first predetermined offset distance; and a third tapered connector element located on the humeral stem member and extending along a connector axis, the third tapered connector element being configured for selective interengagement with either one of the first and second tapered connector elements to secure the humeral head member to the humeral stem member, such that upon engagement of the third tapered connector element with a selected one of the first and second tapered connector elements, and subsequent seating of the humeral head member on the humeral stem member, with the humeral head member placed in a desired orientation about the connector axis and a desired offset location relative to the humeral stem member, the humeral head member will be secured to the humeral stem member with the bearing surface placed for optimum replication of the natural shoulder joint.