Orthopaedic Implant Having an Articulating Surface With a Conforming and Translational Surface

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to orthopaedic implants, and, more particularly, to glenoid implants having an articulating surface.

2. Description of the Related Art

An orthopaedic implant for implantation at the shoulder joint typically includes a glenoid implant and a mating humeral implant. The glenoid implant is attached to a prepared glenoid or scapula, and the humeral implant is attached to a prepared humerus. The humeral implant usually includes a ball at an end thereof which engages and moves relative to an articulating surface in the form of a concave surface formed in the glenoid implant. The ligaments and muscles of the body surrounding such an orthopaedic implant maintain the humeral implant against the glenoid implant, while at the same time allowing relative movement therebetween.

A glenoid implant is typically formed with an articulating surface which is either fully conforming or fully non-conforming relative to the head of the humeral implant. A fully conforming articulating surface has the same spherical radius as the humeral head, and thereby allows relative rotational movement therebetween. However, with a fully conforming articulating surface, the periphery or edge of the articulating surface is loaded by the head of the humeral implant when the arm is moved to a large degree relative to the upper body (such as when the arm is placed over the head). This edge loading at the periphery of the articulating surface may result in permanent deformation of the glenoid implant over a period of time.

A glenoid implant having an articulating surface which is fully non-conforming relative to the humeral head allows both rotation and a limited extent of translation of the humeral head relative to the glenoid implant. Such a fully non-conforming articulating surface normally has a spherical radius which is greater than the spherical radius of the humeral head, thereby allowing the rotational as well as rolling and translational movement therebetween. However, such a fully non-conforming articulating surface may result in increased contact pressures between the humeral head and glenoid implant because of the relatively small surface area which is in contact therebetween at any point in time. Such increased contact pressures also may result in permanent deformation of the humeral head and/or articulating surface on the glenoid component over a period of time.

Also, U.S. Pat. No. 4,106,130 provides a glenoid or scapular implant having an articulating surface with a compound concave bearing surface including a cupped area bounded by an annular trough. The curvature of the cupped area and the transverse curvature of the troughed area each are no greater than the curvature of the rounded convex bearing surface of the humeral articular surface. The cupped area and the annular trough adjoin each other at an obtuse angle. Accordingly, the ball of the humeral component can rock or move away from the cupped area and into the troughed area such that loading occurs at the edge between the cupped area and the troughed area. Such edge loading at the periphery of the cupped area may result in physical damage to the glenoid implant over a period of time.

What is needed in the art is a glenoid implant which allows rotation of the humeral head relative to the articulating surface during normal movements of the arm relative to the upper body, and which allows a limited extent of rolling and translational movement of the humeral head relative to the glenoid implant during more extreme movements of the arm relative to the upper body.

The present invention provides an articulating surface on an orthopaedic implant for a joint, wherein the articulating surface includes a conforming surface which is bounded by and tangent to a non-conforming or translational surface.

The invention comprises, in one form thereof, an orthopaedic implant for implantation into a bone at a joint. The orthopaedic implant includes an articulating surface for mating with a complementary implant. The orthopaedic implant includes a body defining the articulating surface. The articulating surface includes a conforming surface bounded by a non-conforming or translational surface. The conforming surface has the same spherical radius as the mating surface of the complementary implant and allows rotational movement between the conforming surface and the complementary implant. The translational surface has a spherical radius which is greater than the spherical radius of the mating surface of the complementary implant, and thus allows rolling and translational movement between the non-conforming surface and the complementary implant. The conforming surface is tangent at a periphery thereof to the translational surface.

An advantage of the present invention is that both rotational and translational movement are allowed between the articulating surface of the orthopaedic implant and the bearing surface of the complementary implant.

Another advantage is that a smooth transition is provided between the conforming surface and the translational surface, thereby reducing loading at the transition therebetween.

The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a glenoid implant of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the glenoid implant shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side, partially sectioned view of the glenoid implant shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, when engaged with a prepared scapula and a humeral implant;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary view of the glenoid implant, scapula and humeral implant shown in FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of the curvature of the articulating surface on the glenoid implant shown in FIGS. 1-4.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplification set out herein illustrates one preferred embodiment of the invention, in one form, and such exemplification is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown an orthopaedic implant in the form of a glenoid implant 10 for implantation into a glenoid or scapula at a shoulder joint. Glenoid implant 10 includes a body 12 with a convex surface 14 for placement against a prepared glenoid (FIGS. 3 and 4). A projection or keel 16 is attached to and extends from convex surface 14 of body 12. Keel 16 includes a pair of tapered portions 18, one of which is shown in FIG. 2. Tapered portions 18 provide for easier insertion of keel 16 into an opening which is prepared in the scapula. Glenoid implant 10 may be made from ultra high molecular weight polyethylene, and may include a metal X-ray wire 60, although any suitable materials may be utilized.

A concave articulating surface 20 is defined by body 12 on a side thereof which is generally opposite from keel 16. Articulating surface 20 is configured to engage the head of a complementary or humeral implant 30, as will be described in more detail hereinafter. Articulating surface 20 includes a conforming surface 22 which is bounded by a non-conforming or translational surface 24. Conforming surface 22 has the same spherical radius as the mating surface 31 of head 32 of humeral implant 30, and allows rotational movement between conforming surface 22 and the mating surface 31 of humeral implant head 32. Translational surface 24 has a spherical radius which is greater than the spherical radius of mating surface 31 of humeral implant 30, and thus allows rolling and translational movement between translational surface 24 and the humeral implant head. Articulating surface 20 is thus jointly defined by conforming surface 22 and non-conforming surface 24.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, glenoid implant 10 is shown in engagement with a prepared glenoid 28 and a humeral implant 30. Glenoid implant 10 and humeral implant 30 together define an orthopaedic implant assembly for use as a shoulder joint. Humeral implant 30 includes a head 32 which is attached to a stem 34. Stem 34, in known manner, is affixed to a prepared end of a humerus. The mating surface 31 of head 32 typically includes a portion of a sphere having a particular spherical radius. The humeral implant 30 may be made from a titanium alloy or cobalt-chrome alloy, although any suitable materials may be utilized.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, conforming surface 22 has a shape which is substantially the same as the shape of the mating surface 31 of head 32 and thereby allows rotational movement between articulating surface 20 and head 32. Contrarily, translational surface 24 has a shape which is different from the shape of the mating surface 31 of head 32 and thereby allows rolling and translational movement between articulating surface 20 and head 32. According to the present invention, articulating surface 20 has a smooth transition between conforming surface 22 and translational surface 24, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Particularly, conforming surface 22 is tangent to translational surface 24, and has a spherical radius which is smaller than the spherical radius of translational surface 24. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, conforming surface 22 has a spherical radius which is approximately between 2 and 6 mm smaller than the spherical radius of translational surface 24. Conforming surface 22 has a spherical radius of between approximately 20 and 28 mm, although it is not limited thereto. Likewise, translational surface 24 has a spherical radius of between approximately 22 mm and infinity (i.e., thereby generating a straight line), but is not limited thereto. For example, a particularly advantageous glenoid implant 10 in accordance with the present invention may have a conforming surface 22 with a spherical radius of 23 mm and a non-conforming surface 24 with a spherical radius of 26 mm to mate with a humeral head 32 having a 23 mm spherical radius. In addition, a glenoid implant in accordance with the present invention may also be provided with a conforming surface 22 having a spherical radius of 26 mm and a non-conforming surface 24 with a spherical radius of 29 mm to mate with a humeral head 32 having a 26 mm spherical radius. Various sized components may be offered, as desired.

Articulating surface 20 thus slightly angles away from head 32 around the periphery thereof as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Configured as such, head 32 of humeral implant 30 can move both in a rotational direction and translational direction relative to articulating surface 20 without the development of significant edge loading at the periphery of conforming surface 22 or significant contact pressures between head 32 and articulating surface 20.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the periphery of conforming surface 22 is indicated schematically by dashed line 36. Conforming surface 22 preferably defines at least 50 percent of the total surface area of articulating surface 20, and more preferably defines approximately 65 to 75 percent of the total surface area of articulating surface 20. Thus, the remainder of the total surface area of articulating surface 20 is defined by translational surface 24 disposed about the periphery of conforming surface 22. Articulating surface 20 is oblong or elongated in a direction generally parallel to keel 16. The conforming surface 22, as shown in FIG. 1, is oblong with the translational surface 24 disposed about the periphery thereof. However, the exact shape of articulating surface 20, the extent to which articulating surface 20 surrounds head 32, and other design considerations may be varied in known manner.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown a schematic representation of the curvatures of conforming surface 22 and translational surfaces 24 relative to each other. Conforming surface 22 has a spherical radius with a center point 38 and a length 40 of approximately 23 mm. Translational surface 24 to the left of FIG. 5 has a spherical radius with a center point 42 and a length 44 of approximately 26 mm. Similarly, translational surface 24 to the right of FIG. 5 has a spherical radius with a center point 46 and a length 48. A center line 50 extending through center point 42 and center point 38 extends through the edge of conforming surface 22 and is perpendicular to each of conforming surface 22 and translational surface 24 to the left of FIG. 5. Likewise, a center line 52 extending through center point 46 and center point 38 passes through the edge of conforming surface 22, and is perpendicular to each of conforming surface 22 and translational surface 24 at the point of contact therewith. For purposes of illustration, the remaining portion of the circles defining the left translational surface 24, conforming surface 22 and the right translational surface 24 are respectively identified by reference numbers 54, 56 and 58.

In the embodiment shown in the drawings, conforming surface 22 is disposed tangent to translational surface 24. However, it is also to be understood that conforming surface 22 may be disposed other than tangent to translational surface 24 such that a smooth transition exists therebetween. For example, it may be desirable for a particular application to provide articulating surface 20 with a smooth transition between conforming surface 22 and translational surface 24 such as may be obtained using a least squares numerical analysis fit therebetween.

Moreover, in the embodiment shown, conforming surface 22 is substantially entirely bounded by translational surface 24 at the periphery thereof. However, it is also to be understood that translational surface 24 need not entirely surround conforming surface 22, and may only be disposed adjacent to one or more sides of conforming surface 22.

While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.