Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
199 words
An artificial acetabula cup prosthesis comprising: a metallic outer shell for attachment to the acetabulum; and an inner liner for receipt of a spherical head, the liner having an outer surface shaped to be inserted within the outer shell, a centering pin, and a circumferential dampening element on the outer surface for attaching the liner to the outer shell; the outer shell having a base region and an opposite polar region which includes a guiding means that is coaxial with a rotational axis of symmetry of the outer shell and is shaped to receive the centering pin, the outer shell defining a wall having resilient regions of circumferentially spaced relatively thin wall segments alternating with relatively thick wall segments, the thick wall segments including means for attaching the outer shell to natural bone, the guiding means and an area including at least a part of at least one of the thick wall segments defining an attachment zone between the outer shell and the natural bone; the outer shell further comprising on a side generally opposite to the attachment zone an elongated opening formed in the wall which extends along a meridian arc from the base to the polar region.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
199 words
An artificial acetabula cup prosthesis comprising: a metallic outer shell for attachment to the acetabulum; and an inner liner for receipt of a spherical head, the liner having an outer surface shaped to be inserted within the outer shell, a centering pin, and a circumferential dampening element on the outer surface for attaching the liner to the outer shell; the outer shell having a base region and an opposite polar region which includes a guiding means that is coaxial with a rotational axis of symmetry of the outer shell and is shaped to receive the centering pin, the outer shell defining a wall having resilient regions of circumferentially spaced relatively thin wall segments alternating with relatively thick wall segments, the thick wall segments including means for attaching the outer shell to natural bone, the guiding means and an area including at least a part of at least one of the thick wall segments defining an attachment zone between the outer shell and the natural bone; the outer shell further comprising on a side generally opposite to the attachment zone an elongated opening formed in the wall which extends along a meridian arc from the base to the polar region.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein the inner shell is made of metal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein the inner shell is made of plastics.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein the dampening element is made of polyethylene.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
A device according to claim 3 wherein the dampening element is part of the inner shell and wherein the outer surface of the inner shell proximate the base is undercut and defines a resilient lip.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein the attachment zone of the outer shell contacts the inner shell over a relatively large surface, and including a spacing between a portion of the outer shell segments and a portion of the inner shell.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein the dampening element bears radially against a recess in the outer shell and forms a snap fastener.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein at least two outer shell segments comprise attachment means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device according to claim 1 including a resorbable body inserted into at least a portion of the opening to thereby increase the rigidity of the outer shell.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device according to claim 9 wherein the resorbable bodies are made of polylactate.