Patent ID: 7601174

Claim:
A body member for use in combination with a shell to form an implantable endoprosthesis, the body member comprising: a first component having an articular surface for articulated sliding movement with the shell, the first component formed from a wear resistant first material, the first material comprising a polymer having a first hardness; and a second component formed from a resilient second material for absorbing compressive and shear forces imparted upon the implantable endoprosthesis, the second material comprising a polymer having a second hardness softer than the first hardness, the second hardness being approximately 80 Shore A; wherein the second component is disposed between the first component and a third component also formed from the first material, the third component having an articular surface for articulated sliding movement with the shell; wherein the body member is adapted to articulate with respect to the shell such that one or more surfaces of the shell come into sliding contact with the articular surfaces of the first and third components during articulation.