Importance

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Abstract

A mechanism and method for locking or securing a bearing insert to the base of a prosthetic implant. The prosthetic implant is for replacement of a portion of natural bone at a point of articulation. The implant includes a locking mechanism which enables the bearing insert to be removably secured to the base support. The locking mechanism includes a resilient locking clip which is predisposed on one side of either the bearing insert or the base support such that when the bearing insert and base support are assembled together, the clip extends between both the insert and the support to secure the two components together. To insert and/or remove the bearing insert from the support, the clip is caused to substantially fully recede into the component in which it is predisposed. The method of securing the insert to the base includes inserting a lip extending from one side of one of the components into a corresponding cavity in the other component. The resilient clip which is located on the opposite side of one of the components is then deflected to enable the bearing insert to be installed onto the base support. The clip then relaxes back into engagement with both the insert and the base creating an interference therebetween to secure the insert to the base support.

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First Claim