A medical implant system is described for inhibiting infection associated with a joint prosthesis implant. An inventive system includes an implant body made of a biocompatible material which has a metal component disposed on an external surface of the implant body. A current is allowed to flow to the metal component, stimulating release of metal ions toxic to microbes, such as bacteria, protozoa, fungi, and viruses. One detailed system is completely surgically implantable in the patient such that no part of the system is external to the patient while the system is in use. In addition, externally controlled devices are provided which allow for modulation of implanted components.

This invention provides a device and treatment method for replacing the hip (in either a hemiarthroplasty or total hip arthroplasty), which protects the remainder of the femur from fracture. Such a device is highly applicable to the treatment of patients with current or impending fractures of the femur, particularly those with metastatic bone cancer, where there is concern for current or future metastatic disease of the femoral neck or head, which would necessitate hip replacement. The implant consists of a two-piece arrangement with a separate femoral component and a securing, intermedullary rod/nail that is received in a locking arrangement by a longitudinal fenestration of the femoral component.

Disclosed are methods and systems to determine proper seating engagement of a first orthopedic component with a second orthopedic component to ensure stability of the assembled implant. In an example, the first orthopedic component is a head for a shoulder or hip prosthesis and the second orthopedic component is a stem for the shoulder or hip prosthesis, and the head and stem can be attached via a taper junction. The methods and systems can include contacting the first or second orthopedic component to excite the first or second orthopedic component and generate a measurable response, and evaluating the measured response to determine whether the first orthopedic component is properly seated with the second orthopedic component. In an example, a tooling component can physically contact the first or second orthopedic component and generate a vibrational response. The same tooling component or a second tooling component can include one or more sensors to measure the vibrational response and provide an output to the user.

A medical device for implantation in a hip joint of a patient is provided. The medical device comprises a prosthetic caput femur having least partially spherical portion and a releasing member. The releasing member is adapted to, in a first state, restrain the at least partially spherical portion in an acetabulum or a prosthetic acetabulum and, in a second state, to release the at least partially spherical portion from the acetabulum or the prosthetic acetabulum. The releasing member is further adapted to change from the first state to the second state and from the second state to the first state when a strain, exceeding a predetermined threshold, is exerted on the hip joint.

A method for selecting modular neck components for hip implants based on independent variables associated with physical characteristics of the implant, including leg length, offset, and anteversion. During surgery, the surgeon may be confronted with a need to change a preoperatively-chosen modular neck. For example, the surgeon may desire a change in at least one of the variables, e.g., leg length, offset, and/or anteversion. The present method allows the surgeon to quickly and easily select a different modular neck based on an evaluation of one of the variables without requiring reevaluation of the other variables. The method may include preoperative planning in which a template including a grid coordinate system is used.

Modular neck components for hip implants having independent variables associated with physical characteristics of the implant, including leg length, offset, and anteversion. During surgery, the surgeon may be confronted with a need to change a preoperatively-chosen modular neck. For example, the surgeon may desire a change in at least one of the variables, e.g., leg length, offset, and/or anteversion. The present disclosure allows the surgeon to quickly and easily select a different modular neck based on an evaluation of one of the variables without requiring reevaluation of the other variables.

Embodiments of a system and method for assessing hip arthroplasty component movement are generally described herein. A method may include receiving data from a sensor embedded in a femoral head component, the femoral head component configured to fit in an acetabular component, determining information about a magnetic field from the data, and outputting an indication of an orientation, coverage, or a force of the femoral head component relative to the acetabular component.

Embodiments of a system and method for assessing hip arthroplasty component movement are generally described herein. A method may include receiving data from a sensor embedded in a femoral head component, the femoral head component configured to fit in an acetabular component, determining information about a magnetic field from the data, and outputting an indication of an orientation, coverage, or a force of the femoral head component relative to the acetabular component.

A measurement device is provided for measuring a resected femoral head. The device comprises a base (102) with a support rod (104) extending transversely from the base and extending in a direction corresponding to a height of a resected femoral head. A femoral head support (108) is attached to a base proximate an end of the support rod (104) for supporting a severed end of a femoral head at a selected incline between about 30 and 60 relative to the base such that a height of the resected femoral head extends in the general direction of the support rod. A transverse height indicating arm (120) is adjustable up the height of the support rod (104) so as to measure the height of a resected femoral head (106) positioned on the femoral head support in use. The transverse height indicating arm (120) may carry adjustable offset indicating arm (122).

The disclosure provides a joint replacement coupling comprising joint members with opposing joint surfaces, wherein one of the members has a magnetic portion therein which comprises an array of magnets, and the other of the members has a conduction portion therein that comprises a conductive surface. The magnets are arranged to produce a magnetic field that contacts the conduction portion. The conduction portion is optionally positioned so that at least a portion of the conductive surface contacts the magnetic field so that relative motion between the opposing joint surfaces induces current loops in the conductive surface and produces a repulsive force against the magnetic portion, thereby reducing friction between the joint surfaces, optionally separating the joint surfaces.