Patent ID: 8137486
Filing Date: 2012-03-20
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. A method for producing a humeral prosthesis for insertion into a surgically created cavity in a humerus, the method comprising: providing a workpiece of shape memory material characterized by an austenite finish temperature; forming the workpiece into a humeral prosthesis, the prosthesis including a body for insertion into the cavity, the body having a length and a width, the forming being performed at a temperature above the austenite finish temperature, the body being formed to have a widthwise cross section so that greater than 50% of the widthwise cross section is occupied by shape memory material; and compressing at least a portion of the body, including the widthwise cross section, by subjecting the body to at least one opposing compressive force at a temperature below the austenite finish temperature so that at least a portion of the body will expand through the formation of austenite in response to a temperature increase after insertion into the cavity so as to cause a locking-force to be exerted against an inner surface of the cavity.