# Patent

## Title
Implantable elbow joint assembly with spherical inter-support

## Abstract

A multi-component elbow joint assembly incorporated into reconditioned end surfaces established between an upper humerus bone and opposing lower radius and ulna bones. The assembly includes a first component anchored into the upper humerus reconditioned end surface and exhibits a first exposed support surface. A second component is anchored into the lower reconditioned bone end surface of at least one of the radius and ulna bones and exhibits a second exposed support surface. An intermediate component is supported in at least one of eccentric or rotational fashion between the first and second anchored components.

## Background
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a Division of application Ser. No. 13/624,403 filed on Sep. 21, 2012. Application Ser. No. 13/624,403 claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 61/537,123 filed on Sep. 21, 2011, the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety.


FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention discloses an artificial joint assembly, such as is particularly configured for employing as a retrofit elbow joint, and which combines multiple artificial components incorporated into first and second reconditioned joint defining surfaces for providing increased wear life in tandem with evenly distributed wear pattern/profile as well as enhanced flexibility and mobility.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The prior art is documented with examples of artificial implant assemblies. Among these are included the artificial elbow joint of Ikegami U.S. Pat. No. 8,100,980 which teaches a humeral component made of metal and an ulnar component made of resins for replacing an elbow joint. The humeral component is configured by a substantially cylindrical trochlea and a stem extending from the trochlea that is inserted into the humeral. An ulnar component is configured by a joint surface member which receives the trochlea in a rotatable manner and a stem which extends from the joint surface member and is inserted into the ulna. The stem of the humeral component is curved gently downward overall so as to comply with the lordotic shape of the humeral, and the trachea is turnable about the centerline of the stem.
A further example of a minimally thick orthopedic prosthesis which closely matches a minimally reshaped joint defining bone surface by an orbital or lineally oscillating orthopedic resurfacing tool in the minimally invasive orthopedic surgical repair or reconstruction of a variety of joints.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention discloses a multi-component elbow joint assembly incorporated into reconditioned end surfaces established between an upper humerus bone and opposing lower radius and ulna bones. The assembly includes a first component anchored into the upper humerus reconditioned end surface and exhibits a first exposed support surface. A second component is anchored into the lower reconditioned bone end surface of at least one of the radius and ulna bones and exhibits a second exposed support surface.
An intermediate component is supported in at least one of eccentric or rotational fashion between the first and second anchored components. The intermediate component further exhibits an uneven roller shape.
Each of the anchored components further exhibits a concave surface for supporting the intermediate component. The anchored components may also include a widened uneven surface for supporting a corresponding uneven profile associated with the intermediate positioned roller. Each of the first, second and intermediate components may be constructed from any of metal, plastic, polymer or composite material. Additional features include a plurality of surface projecting bearings mounted within the intermediate positioned and uneven surfaced roller component for facilitating a rotational interface established therebetween.



BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Reference will now be made to the attached drawings, when read in combination with the following detailed description, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which:
FIG. 1 is a side perspective of an elbow implant assembly according to the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a rotated front plan view of the elbow implant assembly of FIG. 1 and better depicting the roller shape associated with the intermediate support element;
FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the elbow implant assembly of FIGS. 1 and 2 and better illustrating the reconditioned end-configurations established between the upper humerus and lower radius and ulna arm bones, combined with the configuration of the implant support inserts and intermediate positioned and pseudo bowling pin shape associated with the intermediate positioned roller support; and
FIG. 4 is a further exploded view similar to as shown in FIG. 3 of a slightly modified variant of roller pin supporting elbow implant assembly and which depicts in further exploded fashion a plurality of ball bearings substantially integrated into the anchored implant associated with the reconditioned end face of the humerus and which provide additional rotational support to the intermediate roller.



DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
As will be disclosed with succeeding reference to the several depicted embodiments, the present invention discloses an artificial joint assembly, such as is particularly configured for employing as a retrofit elbow joint, and which combines multiple artificial components incorporated into first and second reconditioned joint defining surfaces for providing increased wear life in tandem with evenly distributed wear pattern/profile as well as enhanced flexibility and mobility.
The joint assemblies described herein are particularly configured for such as in situ reconditioned installation within a patient's elbow (between the lower end of the upper humerus bone and corresponding upper ends of the lower radius and ulna bones), however it is further understood that certain applications could in theory include other joint applications, either human or other mammalian. For purposes of ease and clarify of illustration, the various embodiments depicted further do not include reference to additional necessary components of the elbow joint, such as including associated muscles, tendons and ligaments, the inclusion of which are assumed and which collectively define a functioning and articulating elbow.
Referring now to FIGS. 1-3 in succession, a series of side perspective, front plan and exploded views are depicted of an elbow implant assembly 10 and which combines an arrangement of end surface attachable implant portions 12 and 14 in combination with an interposed and substantially irregular (e.g. vase like or pseudo bowling pin) shaped roller 16 which seats within concave widened surface profiles 18 and 20 associated with exposed seating locations of the implant portions 12 and 14. Both an upper humerus 2 and lower radius 4/ulna 6 joint surfaces are provided and include reconditioned ends, such as shown by profiles 22 and 24, respectively in FIG. 3, and such that the widened implants 12 and 14 are seated in end-anchoring fashion in the manner best depicted in the frontal view of FIG. 2.
As again shown in the exploded view of FIG. 3, the implants 12 and 14 each again include reverse side extending (pairs) of stems (see at 26 and 28 for upper implant 12 and further at 30 and 32 for lower implant 14) for respectively seating within aligning recessed apertures (exemplified at 34 for ulna bone 6) defined in each of the reconditioned elbow joint end faces. Roughened undercut patterns are exhibited on the reverse adhering faces of the implants 12 and 14 and promote long term bone in-growth to permanently anchor the implants in place.
The width extending and irregular surfaces 18 and 20 associated with the implants 12 and 14 exhibit a combination of both concave and uneven profiles (again FIG. 3) such that the irregular shaped (bowling pin like) roller 16 seats in a mating rotatable fashion therebetween as best depicted in the frontal plan view of FIG. 2. As again best shown in FIG. 3, a central aperture 36 extends longitudinally through an interior of the roller 16 and is engaged by a pin shaft 38 upon pre-positioning the roller 16 between a pair of downward extending end lobes 40 and 42 associated with the upper implant 18, the first end lobe 40 including an inner aperture 44 for permitting initial insertion of the pin shaft 38, with the opposite end located lobe 42 exhibiting an abutting inner end face 46 defining an end stop of the inserting pin shaft 38 and thereby mounting the pseudo bowling pin shaped roller 16 in a supported and rotatable fashion.
As is known, a suitable arrangement of ligaments, tendons and muscles can be employed for retaining the arrangement of the elbow joint 10 and such as which can be (to the extent possible) retained from the original joint construction of the patient and which can be avoided to the extent possible during in situ end face reconditioning and implantation of the joint assembly. As also previously described, the material construction of the various components 12, 14 and 16 can include an arrangement in which either a plastic/composite or metal can be employed in each of the outer implant portions 12 and 14, with the alternating material employed in the construction of the pseudo roller pin shaped element 16.
Referring now to FIG. 4, a further exploded view similar to as shown in FIG. 3 is presented generally at 48 of a slightly modified variant of roller pin supporting elbow implant assembly and in which the only appreciable differences from FIG. 3 include the provision of a roller pin/uneven shaped roller 50 as a solid component (without internal aperture 36 as in FIG. 3) combined with a reconfigured upper implant 52 with solid end lobes 54 and 56 for snap fitting therebetween each of opposite end surfaces 58 and 60 associated with the uneven roller 50. Although not clearly shown, it is envisioned that the inner facing surfaces of the lobes 54 and 56 can each exhibit one of either a convex or concave shape with alternates with that exhibited by the outer facing end surfaces 58 and 60 of the roller 50, and so as to maintain the roller 50 without the need of the lateral mounting pin shaft 38 of FIG. 3. The implants 52 and 14 otherwise retain the features of the reverse extending mounting stems 26/28 and 30/32 along with the roughened/undercut bone in-growth promoting reverse surfaces.
Also depicted in FIG. 4 in further exploded fashion are a plurality of, generally micro sized, ball bearings 62. Although not clearly providing an underside view of the concave/irregular pin supporting surface associated with the underside of the implant 52, the bearings 62 are substantially seated in distributed fashion along the humerus end face anchored implant 52 (this defined as being substantially embedded within the concave/irregular support face previously identified at 18 in FIG. 3 of the upper corresponding implant 58), and which provides additional rotational support to the intermediate roller 50.
Having described my invention, other and additional preferred embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains, and without deviating from the scope of the appended claims.

## Claims

1. A multi-component elbow joint assembly incorporated into reconditioned end surfaces established between an upper humerus bone and opposing lower radius and ulna bones, said assembly comprising:
a first component anchored into the upper humerus reconditioned end surface and exhibiting a first support surface;
a second component anchored into the lower reconditioned bone end surface of at least one of the radius and ulna bones and exhibiting a second exposed support surface;
an elongated and uneven roller shaped intermediate component supported in rotational fashion between said first and second anchored components; and
each of said anchored components further exhibiting a concave surface for supporting therebetween said intermediate component, said anchored components each further having a widened uneven surface for supporting a corresponding uneven profile associated with said intermediate positioned roller shaped component.

2. The joint assembly as described in claim 1, each of said first, second and intermediate components further being constructed of at least one of a metal, plastic, polymer or composite material.

3. The joint assembly as described in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of ball bearings seated in distributed fashion along said concave surface of at least one of said anchored implants for providing rotational support to said roller shaped intermediate component.

4. The joint assembly as described in claim 1, further comprising a central aperture extending longitudinally through an interior of said uneven roller shaped intermediate component which is engaged by a pin shaft upon pre-positioning said intermediate component between a pair of downward extending end lobes associated with said first component, a first of said end lobes including an inner aperture for permitting initial insertion of said shaft, with an opposite end located and other of said lobes exhibiting an abutting inner end face defining an end stop of said inserting shaft, thereby mounting said roller in a stationary rotatable position.

5. The joint assembly as described in claim 4, further comprising a plurality of micro sized ball bearings seated in distributed fashion along an end face of said first component in substantially embedded and eccentrically rotatable fashion within a concave/irregular support face of said first component, said bearings providing additional rotational support to said intermediate positioned roller.

6. The joint assembly as described in claim 1, each of said anchored components further exhibiting a concave surface for supporting therebetween said intermediate component.

7. The joint assembly as described in claim 6, said anchored components each further comprising a widened uneven surface for supporting a corresponding uneven profile associated with said intermediate positioned roller shaped component.

8. The joint assembly as described in claim 6, further comprising a plurality of ball bearings seated in distributed fashion along said concave surface of at least one of said anchored implants for providing rotational support to said roller shaped intermediate component.

9. A multi-component elbow joint assembly incorporated into reconditioned end surfaces established between an upper humerus bone and opposing lower radius and ulna bones, said assembly comprising:
a first component anchored into the upper humerus reconditioned end surface and exhibiting a first support surface;
a second component anchored into the lower reconditioned bone end surface of at least one of the radius and ulna bones and exhibiting a second exposed support surface;
an elongated and uneven roller shaped intermediate component supported in rotational fashion between said first and second anchored components; and
each of said anchored components further exhibiting a concave surface for supporting therebetween said intermediate component, a plurality of ball bearings seated in distributed fashion along said concave surface of at least one of said anchored implants for providing rotational support to said roller shaped intermediate component.

10. The joint assembly as described in claim 9, said anchored components each further comprising a widened uneven surface for supporting a corresponding uneven profile associated with said intermediate positioned roller shaped component.

11. The joint assembly as described in claim 9, each of said first, second and intermediate components further being constructed of at least one of a metal, plastic, polymer or composite material.

12. The joint assembly as described in claim 9, further comprising a central aperture extending longitudinally through an interior of said uneven roller shaped intermediate component which is engaged by a pin shaft upon pre-positioning said intermediate component between a pair of downward extending end lobes associated with said first component, a first of said end lobes including an inner aperture for permitting initial insertion of said shaft, with an opposite end located and other of said lobes exhibiting an abutting inner end face defining an end stop of said inserting shaft, thereby mounting said roller in a stationary rotatable position.

13. The joint assembly as described in claim 12, further comprising a plurality of micro sized ball bearings seated in distributed fashion along an end face of said first component in substantially embedded and eccentrically rotatable fashion within a concave/irregular support face of said first component, said bearings providing additional rotational support to said intermediate positioned roller.

14. A multi-component elbow joint assembly incorporated into reconditioned end surfaces established between an upper humerus bone and opposing lower radius and ulna bones, said assembly comprising:
a first component anchored into the upper humerus reconditioned end surface and exhibiting a first support surface;
a second component anchored into the lower reconditioned bone end surface of at least one of the radius and ulna bones and exhibiting a second exposed support surface;
an elongated and uneven roller shaped intermediate component supported in rotational fashion between said first and second anchored components;
a central aperture extending longitudinally through an interior of said uneven roller shaped intermediate component which is engaged by a pin shaft upon pre-positioning said intermediate component between a pair of downward extending end lobes associated with said first component, a first of said end lobes including an inner aperture for permitting initial insertion of said shaft, with an opposite end located and other of said lobes exhibiting an abutting inner end face defining an end stop of said inserting shaft, thereby mounting said roller in a stationary rotatable position; and
a plurality of micro sized ball bearings seated in distributed fashion along an end face of said first component in substantially embedded and eccentrically rotatable fashion within a concave/irregular support face of said first component, said bearings providing additional rotational support to said intermediate positioned roller.

15. The joint assembly as described in claim 14, each of said first, second and intermediate components further being constructed of at least one of a metal, plastic, polymer or composite material.