Patent ID: 6569202
Filing Date: 2003-05-27
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
A component for a joint replacement system comprising:a tray made of a suitable implantable metal; said tray having a base and a wall extending upwardly from said base for defining a recess therein, said base having one or more holes therein for receiving bone fixation fasteners for fixation of said tray with respect to said tibia; a liner of suitable synthetic resin material for securement within said recess after the tray has been surgically affixed to bone, said liner having a shape corresponding generally to the shape of said recess and being sized to have a close fit within said recess; said tray wall having an inner wall surface which substantially defines the outer periphery of said recess with said inner wall surface tapering inwardly and downwardly toward said base tray; said inner wall surface having an undercut groove; said liner having a side wall which is sized with respect to said tray wall so as to fit closely within said inner wall surface, wherein with said liner installed in said recess of said tray; said liner side wall having a continuous seal extending around its periphery, said seal sealingly engaging said inner wall surface when said liner is installed within said recess thereby to prevent the migration of joint fluid and/or debris past said seal into communication with said holes in the base of the tray; and said liner further having opposite ends and opposite sides and having at least one locking tab on each of said opposite ends or on each of said opposite sides, said locking tabs being integral with said liner and being engageable with said groove in said inner wall surface thereby to snap-lock said liner within said tray as the liner is inserted into said tray by a surgeon after the tray has been surgically affixed to said bone.