JOINT IMPLANT COMPONENT HAVING A FIXATION STRUCTURE FOR SOFT TISSUE

Abstract

The present invention provides a joint implant component as well as a method for the implantation thereof. The joint implant component (1), in particular of a hip endoprosthesis, has a proximal joint section (10), a distal anchoring section (30) and a transition section (20) having a fixation structure (21) between the joint section (10) and the anchoring section (30), the fixation structure being arranged in at least one part of the perimeter of the transition section (20) as an elongate recess (22) for guiding suture material.

Claims

1-14. (canceled)

15. Joint implant component (1), in particular of a hip endoprosthesis, which comprises a proximal joint section (10), a distal anchoring section (30) and a transition section (20) having a fixation structure (21) between the joint section (10) and the anchoring section (30), the fixation structure (21) being arranged in at least one part of the perimeter of the transition section (20) as an elongate recess (22) for guiding suture material.

16. Joint implant component (1) according to claim 15, in which the fixation structure (21) of the transition section (20) comprises a soft tissue contact area (23) which is preferably substantially opposite to the recess (22).

17. Joint implant component (1) according to claim 16 in which the the soft tissue contact area comprises a coating.

18. Joint implant component (1) according to claim 15, in which the recess (22) at its ends (24) in the longitudinal direction continuously transitions into the outer surface of the transition section (20).

19. Joint implant component (1) according to claim 16, in which the recess (22) at its ends (24) in the longitudinal direction continuously transitions into the outer surface of the transition section (20).

20. Joint implant component (1) according to claim 17, in which the recess (22) at its ends (24) in the longitudinal direction continuously transitions into the outer surface of the transition section (20).

21. Joint implant component (1) according to claim 15, in which the fixation structure (21) comprises one, two, three or four elongate recesses (22) for guiding the attaching material.

22. Joint implant component (1) according to claim 16, in which the fixation structure (21) comprises one, two, three or four elongate recesses (22) for guiding the attaching material.

23. Joint implant component (1) according to claim 15, in which the elongate recess (22) extends in an area of at least 45 and preferably at least 90 up to a maximum of 270 and preferably 180 around the perimeter of the transition section (20).

24. Joint implant component (1) according to claim 15, in which the cross-section profile of the elongate recess (22) is a continuous and preferably curved profile.

25. Joint implant component (1) according to claim 15, in which the cross-section profile of the elongate recess (22) has a width of at least 2 mm, preferably at least 3 mm and more preferably at least 4 mm up to a maximum of 12 mm, preferably a maximum of 10 mm and more preferably a maximum of 8 mm.

26. Joint implant component (1) according to claim 15, in which the cross-section profile of the recess (22) has a depth of at least 2 mm, preferably at least 3 mm up to a maximum of 8 mm and preferably a maximum of 6 mm.

27. Joint implant component (1) according to claim 15, wherein the joint implant component (1) is a hip endoprosthesis and the middle point in the longitudinal direction of the recess (22) is on the medial side of the hip endoprosthesis and is preferably arranged symmetrically to the frontal plane.

28. Joint implant component (1) according to claim 16, wherein the joint implant component (1) is a hip endoprosthesis and the middle point in the longitudinal direction of the recess (22) is on the medial side of the hip endoprosthesis and is preferably arranged symmetrically to the frontal plane.

29. Joint implant component (1) according to claim 17, wherein the joint implant component (1) is a hip endoprosthesis and the middle point in the longitudinal direction of the recess (22) is on the medial side of the hip endoprosthesis and is preferably arranged symmetrically to the frontal plane.

30. Joint implant component (1) according to claim 18, wherein the joint implant component (1) is a hip endoprosthesis and the middle point in the longitudinal direction of the recess (22) is on the medial side of the hip endoprosthesis and is preferably arranged symmetrically to the frontal plane.

31. Method for implanting a joint implant component (1) according to claim 15, wherein the method comprises the steps: a. preparing a cavity in the bone tissue for receiving the anchoring section (30) of the joint implant component (1); b. inserting the joint implant component (1) into the cavity so that the fixation structure (21) of the transition section (20) of the joint implant component (1) is outside of the cavity; c. connecting soft tissue which is to be attached to the joint implant component with an attaching material; d. placing the attaching material along the peripheral direction of the joint implant component (1) in the elongate recess (22) of the fixation structure (21); e. narrowing the attaching material in the elongate recess so that it cannot move out of the elongate recess (22) in the longitudinal direction of the joint implant component.

32. Method for implanting a joint implant component (1) according to claim 31, wherein the attaching material is a suture material which is sewn together with the soft tissue before it is placed in the elongate recess of the fixation structure.

33. Method for implanting a joint implant component (1) according to claim 31, wherein the attaching material is a wire or a ring.

34. Method for implanting a joint implant component (1) according to claim 31, wherein the soft tissue to be attached is arranged on a soft tissue contact area (23) that is preferably outside of the recess (22) in the peripheral direction and more preferably is arranged approximately on the opposite side of the recess.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0045] The following figures illustrate a preferred embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is not intended to restrict the scope of protection of the claims, but rather together with the description only serves to simplify an understanding of the invention.

[0046] FIG. 1 is a view of the frontal plane of a preferred embodiment of a joint implant component which has a fixation structure for attaching soft tissue.

[0047] FIGS. 2a and 2b are schematic illustrations of possible cross-sections of the elongate recess.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0048] FIG. 1 shows a joint implant component 1. This exemplary embodiment relates here to a joint implant component of a hip joint endoprosthesis, in particular the implant shaft for an anchoring in the bone tissue of a patient. Other joints in which the present invention can be implemented are, as already stated above, for example, a knee joint component or a shoulder joint component.

[0049] The joint implant component 1 has a joint section 10 and an anchoring portion 30. The joint section 10 is located on the proximal side 2 of the joint implant component 1, while the anchoring section 30 is arranged on the distal side 3 of the joint implant component 1. A transition section 20 is arranged between the joint section 10 and the anchoring section 30.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 1, the joint section 10 can be on a side of a cone connection, with which further joint implant components such as, for example, a joint head which is not shown can be connected. The anchoring section 30 is provided to anchor the joint implant component 1 to the bone tissue. The anchoring section 30 of the joint implant component 1 that is shown in FIG. 1 is configured, for example, such that the surrounding bone tissue grows into the surface structure of the anchoring section 30 and thus anchors the joint implant component 1 into the bone.

[0051] However, the anchoring section 30 can also be carried out differently, such as for example, smooth or polished in order to anchor the joint implant component 1 in a bone with bone cement. Moreover, further attaching elements or other attaching elements such as, for example, bone screws inter alia can be used for the anchoring.

[0052] In the transition section 20, there is a fixation structure 21 which in turn has an elongate recess 22 for receiving attaching material. As shown in FIG. 1, the elongate recess 22 extends across at least one part of the perimeter of the joint implant component 1. Moreover, the elongate recess or groove 22 is formed perpendicularly or at at an angle to the longitudinal axis C of the joint implant component 1 extending on the outer side thereof. The recess 22 preferably extends here in a plane.

[0053] It is also possible to form the elongate recess 22 across the entire perimeter of the joint implant component 1. However, it is preferred to only form the recess 22 across one part of the perimeter. It is especially advantageous here if the ends 24 of the elongate recess 22 are continuously tapered, i.e. that the depth of the recess 22 continuously decreases towards its ends 24. As described above it is thereby ensured by the elongate recess 22 that there are no edges or ledges which could damage the attaching material engaging into the recess 22.

[0054] The elongate recess 22 of the joint implant component 1 shown in FIG. 1 is provided on the medial side M of the joint implant component 1. It serves to hold soft tissues, in particular ligaments, tendons and muscle insertions on the lateral side L, i.e. the side of the implant 1 which is substantially opposite to the elongate recess 22, with the help of the attaching material. In other words, there is a soft tissue contact area 23 at a recess on the medial side M, preferably on the lateral side L.

[0055] As shown in the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 1, this soft tissue contact area 23 can have the same surface finish as the elongate recess 22.

[0056] However, with one modification it is equally possible to provide the soft tissue contact area 23 with a surface having a structure and/or properties which are configured for a connection with soft tissue. Such a surface particularly has the advantage that it restricts the range of movement of the soft tissue along the longitudinal direction of the implant component 1 and in the peripheral direction.

[0057] Furthermore, the fixation structure 21 can have at least one surface in sections which counteracts an ingrowth of bone tissue. This is particularly advantageous for the soft tissue contact area 23. By contrast, as to the elongate recess 22 it can be advantageous that bones grow into the surface in order to thus prevent a movement of the attaching material. In order to achieve this, the surface of the elongate recess 22 can at least in sections be provided with a surface structure which is configured for the bone tissue to grow into.

[0058] As described above, the maximum width B of the cross-section profile of the elongate recess 22 is preferably at least 2 mm, preferably at least 3 mm and more preferably at least 4 mm and a maximum of 12 mm, preferably a maximum of 10 mm and more preferably a maximum of 8 mm.

[0059] The depth T of the cross-section of the elongate recess 22 preferably is from at least 2 mm, preferably 3 mm to a maximum of 8 mm and preferably a maximum of 6 mm.

[0060] It generally applies that the smaller the depth and the wider the width B of the elongate recess 22 is in its cross-section, the less the elongate recess 22 affects the distribution of stress through the joint implant component 1. These stresses are caused by the transmission of the joint forces into the bones. By contrast, it is advantageous for holding the attaching material in the elongate recess 22 if the depth T of the elongate recess 22 is as large as possible since it thereby becomes less likely that the attaching material moves out of the recess perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the elongate recess 22. The above locations each provide a width B and a depth T for the elongate recess 22, in which a reliable holding of the attaching material in the recess 22 is enabled without significantly influencing the distribution of stress in the joint implant component 1.

[0061] Regarding the shape of the cross-section of the elongate recess 22, in particular, a continuous extension of said cross-section is preferred in order to thus prevent sudden transitions in the cross-section which would lead to the formation of edges in the elongate recess 22. An exemplary embodiment of a cross-section extension is illustrated in FIG. 2a, which is formed from straight sections, such as the straight section 25, and curved sections, such as the curved section 26. More preferably, the cross-section profile of the elongate recess 22 consists of continuously extending curved sections.

[0062] The cross-section profile of the elongate recess 22 preferably has a substantially, continuously decreasing width B with an increasing depth T, for example, as with a V-shaped course. A V-shaped course here has the advantage that the tip of the cross-section, i.e. the bottom of the cross-section does not have any negative effects on the attaching material. Here, the tip of the cross-section is preferably provided with a radius, i.e. rounded.

[0063] It is also possible to use a cross-section extension, the width B thereof increases in sections with increasing depth T, before the bottom of the cross-section or the elongate recess 22 is reached (see FIG. 2b). A recess 22 is provided thereby, the side walls thereof additionally counteract a sliding out of the attaching material in the longitudinal direction. In other words, such a cross-section forms a cavity which has a narrowing at its entrance side.

[0064] As shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b, a continuous transition with the cross-section profile of the elongate recess 22 can also be provided between the side walls of the elongate recess and the outer surface or surface area of the implant.

[0065] In addition, the fixation structure 21 provided by the joint implant component according to the invention, the implant component is particularly suited for revision, since with it there is more soft tissue to be removed compared with a first treatment.

Reference Numbers

[0066] 1 Joint implant component [0067] 2 Proximal side [0068] 3 Distal side [0069] 10 Joint portion [0070] 20 Transition section [0071] 21 Fixation structure [0072] 22 Elongate recess of the attaching material receiver [0073] 23 Soft tissue contact area [0074] 24 Recess end [0075] 25 Straight section [0076] 26 Curved section [0077] 30 Anchoring section [0078] C Longitudinal axis [0079] L Lateral side [0080] M Medial side