Method and apparatus for enabling access to an intramedullary canal of a femur through a femoral knee joint prosthesis
US6165222A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 30, 1998 |
| Grant date | Dec 26, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 30, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2310/00353
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and apparatus for enabling access to an intramedullary canal of a femur through a femoral knee joint prosthesis includes a first condylar portion and a second condylar portion. The first condylar portion has a first femoral bearing surface and the second condylar portion has a second femoral bearing surface. An intercondylar portion extends between the first condylar portion and the second condylar portion and defines an opening passing therethrough. A seal member is operable to substantially seal the opening such that the seal member is further operable to be opened to enable access to the intramedullary canal of the femur without having to remove the femoral knee joint prosthesis from the femur. A method for enabling access to the intramedullary canal of the femur through the femoral knee joint prosthesis is also provided.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.