GLENOID IMPLANT HAVING MULTIPLE SECTIONS OF DIFFERING DIAMETERS

Abstract

Disclosed are prosthesis systems and methods that provide ways by which the articulating surfaces of the implant can be exchanged such that the anatomic surfaces can be converted to reverse surfaces, while not exchanging the fixation components. Also disclosed herein are methods by which the surgeon can implant an inset anatomic articulating glenoid implant whereby at a later date, can remove the anatomic articulating surface and replace it with a reverse articulating surface such that the primary means of fixation remains well fixed in the glenoid fossa at the moment of articular exchange.

Claims

1-14. (canceled)

15. A shoulder implant configured for implantation within a glenoid of a patient, the shoulder implant comprising: a cylindrical section comprising an articulating surface adapted to articulate with a complimentary component; an intermediate section positioned medial to the cylindrical section, the intermediate section having a circular cross-sectional shape and an outer diameter smaller than an outer diameter of the cylindrical section; and a fixation element positioned medial to the intermediate section and having a circular outer diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the intermediate section.

16. The shoulder implant of claim 15, wherein the cylindrical section is made of polyethylene.

17. The shoulder implant of claim 15, wherein the fixation element comprises a post or a peg.

18. The shoulder implant of claim 15, wherein the fixation element comprises one or more fins.

19. The shoulder implant of claim 15, wherein the fixation element is coaxially aligned with a central axis of the shoulder implant.

20. The shoulder implant of claim 15, wherein the intermediate section comprises a groove.

21. The shoulder implant of claim 20, wherein the groove comprises a circumferential groove.

22. The shoulder implant of claim 20, wherein the groove is configured to house a snap ring.

23. The shoulder implant of claim 15, wherein the intermediate section comprises a slot.

24. The shoulder implant of claim 23, wherein the slot comprises a circumferential slot.

25. The shoulder implant of claim 23, wherein the slot is configured to house a snap ring.

26. The shoulder implant of claim 15, wherein the outer diameter of the intermediate section is 5-50% less than the outer diameter of the cylindrical section.

27. The shoulder implant of claim 15, wherein the intermediate section comprises a peripheral edge, the peripheral edge comprising a plurality of spaced apart radially inward indents.

28. The shoulder implant of claim 15, wherein the shoulder implant is configured to be inset when implanted.

29. The shoulder implant of claim 15, wherein the articulating surface is concave.

30. The shoulder implant of claim 15, wherein the articulating surface is convex.

31. The shoulder implant of claim 15, wherein the cylindrical section, the intermediate section, and the fixation element each have a cylindrical shape.

32. The shoulder implant of claim 15, wherein the cylindrical section, the intermediate section, and the fixation element are coaxially aligned.

33. The shoulder implant of claim 15, further comprising an osteoinductive or osteoconductive surface.

34. The shoulder implant of claim 15, wherein the fixation element is configured to facilitate bone ingrowth.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates a lower perspective view of an embodiment of a fixation support which can be an annular fixation ring in some embodiments that can be fixed at least partially within a prepared glenoid cavity.

[0015] FIG. 2 illustrates an upper perspective view of an embodiment of a support, e.g., an annular ring 100.

[0016] FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate an embodiment of an anatomic articular component 200 for a glenoid cavity which can be made of polyethylene or another appropriate material.

[0017] FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate different perspective views of an embodiment of a reversible anatomic articular assembly 300 including the anatomic articular component 200, fixation ring 100, and location for placement of a snap ring 400.

[0018] FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a reverse fixation disc 700 including a central fixation post 706 that can include a longitudinal axis aligned along the center of the reverse fixation disc as shown.

[0019] FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate perspective views of a reverse fixation disc 700 including peripheral screw holes 704, fixation ring 100 and snap ring 400, the snap ring 400 which can have the same mechanism as the anatomic assembly described herein.

[0020] FIGS. 10A-C illustrate part of a method of implanting an anatomic prosthesis into a reamed glenoid cavity, according to some embodiments of the invention.

[0021] FIGS. 11A-D and 12A-B illustrate a method of removing an anatomic prosthesis while leaving a fixation ring in place embedded in the glenoid cavity, as well as embodiments of components for use in the method, according to some embodiments.

[0022] FIGS. 13A-13B, illustrates a method of implanting a replacement reverse prosthesis in the glenoid cavity, and mating the prosthesis with the implanted fixation ring.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] In particular, some embodiments of the invention are focused on advantageously exchanging the articular surface of the glenoid from a concave shape to a convex shape, without removing the components or interface having to do with fixation of the implant into the glenoid fossa.

[0024] In some embodiments, embodiments of the invention can be used or modified with use with particular advantages of using inset glenoid fixation technology in anatomic shoulder arthroplasty, such as described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,007,538 and/or 8,778,028 to Gunther, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

[0025] What is further described are methods by which the surgeon can achieve the use of the inset glenoid technology with an anatomic articulation, while after having the ability to convert the technology to a reverse articulation, without requiring removal the rigid fixation between the inset fixation and the scapula bone (in other words, allowing the rigid fixation support between the inset fixation and the scapula bone to remain in place during conversion from an anatomic to a reverse prosthesis).

[0026] Some embodiments of the invention can utilize an inset glenoid articulation implant described by Gunther et al. including in U.S. Pat. No. 8,007,538 or 8,778,028. However, some embodiments of the invention can also utilize onlay glenoid articulation implants. The peripheral rim of the implant can in some cases have an important role in the fixation stability of the implant and its resistance to motion relative to the glenoid bone during articulation. In addition, it is recognized that a known “rule of thumb” in the industry is that the bearing component of the glenoid implant, such as the polyethylene (PE) component, should be at least about 3 mm thick at its thinnest position in order to achieve a sufficient material strength to minimize risk of accelerated implant failure. Of course, this rule is only a guide, but has proven helpful in assessing longevity of implant designs. With these points in mind, it is recognized that in some embodiments the design of the implant (which can be inset in some embodiments) might be improved upon by providing a step in the outer diameter of the inset glenoid implant at its most medial aspect while being able to maintain a minimum PE thickness of about or at least about 2 mm, 2.5 mm, 3 mm, 3.5 mm, 4 mm, or ranges incorporating any of the aforementioned values. In the space that this step provides is placement of an annular ring which can be rigidly fixed on the outer diameter of the articular implant such that the outer diameter of the inset glenoid implant remains a contiguous surface, albeit in some embodiments made a plurality of materials: the lateral aspect being part of the PE articulation, the medial aspect being the outer diameter of the annular ring, which can be metallic in some cases. The annular ring and the PE articular component can be attached to one another through the use of a snap ring mechanism or other ways, some of which are described elsewhere herein.

[0027] The annular ring can be configured such that its outer diameter presents a surface to the surrounding bone which can be adapted to be biologically attractive for the growth of surrounding bone tissue. This technology can be achieved by several means such as, for example, various coatings or secondary manufacturing operations, mechanical modification through machining operations, creation of an adapted surface using 3D printing manufacturing, or other means. One advantage of the surface on the outer diameter is such that over the course of the healing process following surgery, bone grows and adapts itself to this annular ring so as to provide rigid attachment of surrounding bone to the annular ring. Thus, at the moment of articular component exchange, the ring is well fixed to bone, and following removal of the PE articulation component, the ring remains well fixed within the glenoid bone, and can be useful as a support surface in attachment of a new reverse articulating surface to the bone.

[0028] FIG. 1 illustrates a lower perspective view of an embodiment of a fixation support which can be an annular fixation ring in some embodiments that can be fixed at least partially within a prepared glenoid cavity. The annular ring 100 can include a central cavity 106 and a plurality of radially inward indents 102 in the outer circumference of the peripheral edge 104 of the annular ring 100 as shown and be sized and configured for fixation screw clearance. The ring 100 could have any number of indents 102 such as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more, or ranges including at least two of the aforementioned values. The indents 102 could be regularly or irregularly spaced apart along the circumference in some embodiments, and have a curved shape as shown or other shapes. As shown, the peripheral edge 104 can include a coating or other surface, e.g., osteoinductive or osteoconductive surface to facilitate bone ingrowth and fixation into the cavity. The surface could include, for example, cortical bone, cancellous bone, particulate matter, a powder form, granules, chips, a synthetic bone substitute, growth factors and/or bone growth promoting proteins, or combinations thereof. The annular ring 100 can also include a groove or slot 108 that can be oriented along the outer circumference of the central cavity 106 (e.g., inner diameter of the ring) and configured to house a snap ring therein (not shown).

[0029] FIG. 2 illustrates an upper perspective view of an embodiment of a support, e.g., an annular ring 100, showing the indents 102 as previously described. Also shown is the groove or slot 108 configured to house a snap ring as well as radially-inward extending anti-rotation tabs 112. The outer diameter of the peripheral edge 104 of the annular ring 100 can match that of a bearing, e.g., polyethylene component in some embodiments.

[0030] FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate an embodiment of an anatomic articular component 200 for a glenoid cavity which can be made of polyethylene or another appropriate material. The anatomic articular component 200 can include a concave articulating surface 202 as shown, as well as a central fixation post or peg 204, which can be only a single post or peg in some cases, and be aligned coaxially with the center of the implant. The peripheral edge of the implant could have a generally cylindrical shape in some embodiments, and/or have a circular, oval, or other cross-section. The articular component 200 can also include a feature configured to mate with the fixation support, such as a cylindrical component 206 lateral to the articular surface 202 that can have an outer diameter that corresponds to the inner diameter of the fixation support (not shown) as well as a slot or groove (not shown) configured to house a snap ring (not shown). The outer diameter of the component 206 can be in some cases less than, such as about or at least about 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, or more less than that of the outer diameter of the articulating surface 202 of the anatomic articular component 200, or ranges including any two of the aforementioned values.

[0031] FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate different perspective views of an embodiment of a reversible anatomic articular assembly 300 including the anatomic articular component 200, fixation ring 100, and location for placement of a snap ring 400 as previously described and illustrated.

[0032] FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a reverse fixation implant, e.g., disc 700 including a central fixation post 706 that can include a longitudinal axis aligned along the center of the reverse fixation disc as shown. The medial surface 702 of the disc can include a central receptacle 708 for an articular post, as well as a plurality, e.g., 2, 3, 4, or more screw holes 704 oriented more peripherally with respect to the peripheral edge 706 of the disc, which can be generally cylindrical as shown, or another suitable geometry.

[0033] FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate perspective views of a reverse fixation disc 700 including peripheral screw holes 704, fixation ring 100 and snap ring 400, the snap ring 400 which can have the same mechanism as the anatomic assembly described herein. Also shown is the other end of the receptacle 708 for the articular post that can extend through the implant. The apertures 704 (e.g., screw holes) can be axially aligned and configured to correspond with each of the indents 102 of the fixation ring 100 with the indents 102 as previously described, to house fixation screws therethrough.

[0034] FIGS. 10A-10C illustrates part of a method of implanting an anatomic prosthesis into a reamed glenoid cavity, according to some embodiments of the invention. A pocket P can be prepared, such as by reaming, in the glenoid G (shown in FIG. 10A), which can be an appropriate shape, such as circular as shown, ovoid, or other geometries, with a central distal extending hole H for a central peg in some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 10C. The anatomic implant, one embodiment of which is shown in FIG. 10B along with the fixation ring and snap ring, can be implanted into the cavity, shown schematically in FIG. 10C such as in a partially or completely inset manner, with about or at least about 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or 100% of the thickness of the peripheral edge of the implant inset below the prepared glenoid surface, or ranges including any two of the aforementioned values. The attachment of the ring to the PE implant can be preferably achieved in a reversible fashion using techniques and tools available to a surgeon such that the operation can be performed in situ, or in place within the patient. In order to accomplish this, a snap ring mechanism can be utilized such that another component, such as an angular metallic ring is positioned between the bearing component, e.g., PE component and the snap ring and/or metallic ring.

[0035] FIG. 11A schematically illustrates an anatomic articular implant 300 inserted into bone, such as the glenoid cavity. FIG. 11B schematically illustrates a side view, and FIG. 11C a top view, of an implant that can be as previously described. As shown in FIGS. 11A-D and 12 in some embodiments, at the moment the surgeon seeks to remove the PE component from the annular ring, the snap ring 400 (shown in phantom in FIG. 11C) can be collapsed in order to eliminate its interference fit between the annular ring and the PE component. This can be performed through the use of a guide 600 shown in FIG. 11D which can be placed over the surface of the PE component which can be in situ. In some embodiments, the guide 600 can have an elongate shaft 601 and a distal end 604 including an annular sidewall 606 defining a cavity 608 and an open distal end configured to have an inner diameter that can match, substantially match, or be the same size or larger than the outer diameter of the peripheral edge of the bearing component of the implant, such that the annular sidewall 606 and cavity 608 is placed over the glenoid implant. Release pins 602, a drill, or other tool can be axially advanced into apertures 607 of the guide 600 to facilitate release of the snap ring from the glenoid implant.

[0036] The guide 600 provides positioning of a plurality of holes, e.g., about or at least about two, three, four, five, or more holes positioning around the periphery of the PE implanted such that which a drill or pin 602 is mechanically driven into the guide holes 607, they are aligned to force the snap ring 400 in an radially inward fashion to allow for release of the snap ring. FIG. 12A schematically illustrates the guide 600 being advanced toward the glenoid implant 300 in situ in the glenoid G, along with pins 602 that can be placed in apertures 607 of the guide 600. Once a number of pins 602, e.g., three pins are driven through the guide and PE component, the snap ring is collapsed, and the PE component and snap ring can be removed from the annular fixation ring as an assembly, as shown in FIG. 12B. At this point, what remains is the annular fixation ring well fixed within the glenoid fossa. In some embodiments, the fixation ring may not be fully counter-sunk, and be partially rather than fully inset, within the glenoid surface, and/or stand proud of the glenoid surface. With time, the fixation ring can have some bony ingrowth.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 13A, in some embodiments, an implant such as a disc, e.g., a metallic disc (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 7-9 for example) can then be placed into the previously implanted fixation ring 100 including a groove 108 configured to fit a new snap ring 400 as previously described. The implant 1300 can include a glenosphere 1302 with an offset peg 1303 configured to fit with baseplate 1304 with shaft 1306 (schematically shown in section view), and snap ring 400. The baseplate can have a longitudinal axis A2 that is offset from the longitudinal axis of the glenosphere A1 in some embodiments. FIG. 13B illustrates the reverse implant assembled and deployed within the glenoid cavity. Methods as disclosed herein can have several non-limiting potential advantages, including the following: [0038] 1. an outer diameter adapted to provide for a snap ring fit between the disc and annular ring in the same manner as the PE component and the annular ring; [0039] 2. a peg, pin, screw or other fixation means which is adapted to fit deeper into the central portion of the glenoid fossa to provide additional fixation means, [0040] 3. a central tapered hole into which a reverse ball articulating component can be placed and rigidly fixed; and [0041] 4. several peripheral holes through which screws can be driven to further increase the rigidity of fixation between the fixation disc and bone.

[0042] Following the removal of the anatomic, e.g., PE component, the surgeon can further prepare the glenoid fossa for the reverse fixation disc by drilling a centrally positioned hole. The hole can be adapted to receive a pin, post, screw, or other feature which is integrally attached to the medial aspect of the fixation disc. As the fixation disc can be positioned within the annular ring, the central fixation protrusion can be positioned within this hole in the glenoid bone such that further fixation rigidity is obtained.

[0043] Following the placement of the fixation disc in the annular ring, the surgeon can drill additional holes in the glenoid bone through peripheral holes in the fixation disc, which provides the ability to drive fixation screws through the fixation disc into the glenoid bone, even further improving rigidity, in addition to providing rotational stability. Due to the size constrains of the components, it can be advantageous to design the annular ring in a fashion that provides sufficient clearance through which these fixation screws can pass. To this end, the annular ring can be designed such that at on its periphery are several (four) indents of circular shape that provides clearance for passing of the peripheral screws.

[0044] Once the fixation disc is well fixed to the glenoid bone, the spherical articular component is introduced to the fixation disc. On its medial aspect, the articular component can have a cone-shaped protrusion which can be adapted to fit rigidly into a cone shaped hole centrally located within the fixation disc. This can provide a rigid fixation means by which the articular component is fixed to the fixation components using a technique and mechanism well known in the art.

[0045] Some embodiments of the modular, convertible shoulder system as disclosed for example herein can include several unique advantages not considered elsewhere, including but not limited to one or more of the following: [0046] The use of an annular fixation ring can further improve the fixation potential of inset glenoid technology as described herein. The ring can increase the rigidity of the overall PE glenoid construct, reducing its deflection under load, and improves fixation rigidly. [0047] The outer aspect of the annular ring can provide a surface which adheres to bone biologically and mechanically which provides further improvement of the rigidity of the fixation over time and in response to load in consideration of Wolf's law. [0048] This improved rigidity and fixation can be provided with no sacrifice of the 3 mm minimum material thickness of the PE component, so that joint mechanics can be maintained with no change in the overall stack height of the anatomic prosthesis. [0049] The attachment mechanism between the PE articular and annular ring can be reversible in situ, meaning the PE component can be removed from the annular ring which the ring remains in the bone, and can be performed in a manner which is nondestructive to the ring or the surrounding bone. [0050] The annular ring can be shaped so as to provide a receptacle into which a reverse articulation can be inserted and rigidly fixed. [0051] The ring can provide clearance so that further rigidity can be obtained by passing screws through the reverse fixation disc, annular ring, and bone. [0052] The fixation disc can provide a female receptacle into which the articular sphere's attachment post can be positioned. Providing a female receptacle is shown in some cases to be an easy surgical technique and very robust attachment mechanism.

[0053] Various other modifications, adaptations, and alternative designs are of course possible in light of the above teachings. Therefore, it should be understood at this time that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. It is contemplated that various combinations or subcombinations of the specific features and aspects of the embodiments disclosed above may be made and still fall within one or more of the inventions. Further, the disclosure herein of any particular feature, aspect, method, property, characteristic, quality, attribute, element, or the like in connection with an embodiment can be used in all other embodiments set forth herein. Accordingly, it should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes of the disclosed inventions. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the present inventions herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above. Moreover, while the invention is susceptible to various modifications, and alternative forms, specific examples thereof have been shown in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not to be limited to the particular forms or methods disclosed, but to the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the various embodiments described and the appended claims. Any methods disclosed herein need not be performed in the order recited. The methods disclosed herein include certain actions taken by a practitioner; however, they can also include any third-party instruction of those actions, either expressly or by implication. For example, actions such as “insetting an implant into a glenoid cavity” includes “instructing the insetting of an implant into the glenoid cavity.” The ranges disclosed herein also encompass any and all overlap, sub-ranges, and combinations thereof. Language such as “up to,” “at least,” “greater than,” “less than,” “between,” and the like includes the number recited. Numbers preceded by a term such as “approximately”, “about”, and “substantially” as used herein include the recited numbers (e.g., about 10%=10%), and also represent an amount close to the stated amount that still performs a desired function or achieves a desired result. For example, the terms “approximately”, “about”, and “substantially” may refer to an amount that is within less than 10% of, within less than 5% of, within less than 1% of, within less than 0.1% of, and within less than 0.01% of the stated amount.