Knee joint prosthesis with a femoral component which links the tibiofemoral axis of rotation with the patellofemoral axis of rotation

US7387644B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• University of Vermont and State Agricultural College · US

Inventors

• Bruce D. Beynnon · South Burlington, US
• Stephen J. Incavo · South Burlington, US
• Kathryn M. Coughlin · South Burlington, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 10, 2004
• Grant date: Jun 17, 2008
• Expiry date: Mar 25, 2025

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61F2/3877
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A femoral component is provided for use in a knee joint prosthesis. The femoral component may be configured to provide one or more desirable kinematic relationships with a tibial component and/or patella so as to mimic the flexion and extension motion of a natural knee joint. The femoral component may be configured so that the patella follows a substantially circular pathway during knee flexion and extension. The femoral component may be configured so that the patella follows a curved patellar path during flexion and extension, and the curved patellar path has an origin located anterior and proximal to the geometrical center axis of the knee. The femoral component may be configured so that the patella follows a curved patellar path that lies in a plane which is parallel to and offset from a plane that extends through the center of the femoral head of a femur and is perpendicular to the geometric center axis of the knee. The femoral component may be configured so that at least a portion of the patella substantially follows a patellar path in a plane perpendicular to the geometrical center axis of a knee throughout knee flexion.