Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

An endoprosthesis is immovably anchored in a medullary canal under a constant predetermined uniformly distributed pressure. The rigid prosthesis stem is typically embraced by an elastomeric element designed for continuous pressurization into compressed resilient anchorage with the medullary canal surface. The tubular elastomeric element can be pressurized in various ways such as by a captive gas, or by a fluent material until this material takes a set, or by a combination of pressurized gas and settable fluent material. When a captive pressurized gas is used, alone or with a settable fluent material, it provides a major portion of the elastic energy anchoring the prosthesis immovably in place; and when a settable pressurizing medium is used, the elastic energy is stored in the compressed thick elastomer. The constant elastic energy fosters bone growth to augment prosthesis anchorage. Permanent anchorage is achieved virtually instantly following alignment and pressurization of the prosthesis. The expandable/compressible elastic component readily compensates for irregularity in the canal wall and requires a minimum of preliminary preparation of its surface. The bladder can have spaced apart porous-surfaced plates bonded to the outer surface of the bladder for being expanded into contact with a cavity in the cancellous bone portion of the femur to enhance bony ingrowth during use.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim