Patent ID: 6206929
Filing Date: 2001-03-27
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
An articulating hemiarthroplasty prosthesis comprising:a shell having a spherical outer articulation surface for articulating with an acetabulum and an inner surface, a longitudinal axis, an inferior aperture and a superior apex;a liner matable with the inner surface of the shell in proximity to the superior apex of the shell and having a spherical inner articulation surface for articulating with a prosthetic femoral head; anda locking liner element disposed within the shell and matable with the inner surface of the shell in proximity to the inferior aperture, the locking liner element including at least one resilient locking element integral therewith and extending from a region proximate to the inferior aperture of the shell inward toward the longitudinal axis of the shell and at least partially in a superior direction toward the apex of the shell, the resilient locking element being deformable, in response to an insertion force directed from the inferior aperture, from a first position, defining a first nominal diameter, outward away from the longitudinal axis of the shell to define a second, larger diameter, the locking liner element further comprising a groove formed in the locking liner element adjacent to a superior surface of the at least one resilient locking element, the groove providing clearance for the resilient locking element to deform in response to an insertion force directed from the inferior aperture;wherein the locking liner element has a superior surface that abuts an inferior surface of the liner and the locking liner element includes an inferior facing surface that abuts a superior facing surface formed in the inner surface of the shell to hold the locking liner element against inferior movement with respect to the shell.