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Abstract

A phalangeal joint prosthesis for replacing damaged interphalangeal finger joints. The prosthesis includes first and second pins, each having an elongate shaft for inserting into the articulaling end of a first or a second phalange on respective sides of a finger joint. Each pin further includes a head with a lower surface mounted on the shaft and a convex cylindrically-shaped bearing surface that is opposite the lower surface and defines an axis of curvature. The prosthesis further includes a spacer configured to be disposed between the heads of the first and the second pins. The spacer has opposed bearing surfaces that are each configured to mate with the bearing surface of one of the heads so that the beating surfaces of the heads are generally oriented toward each other. The spacer couples the first and second pins in a spaced relationship with parallel axes of curvature to permit the prosthesis to flex and extend in a single plane while constraining abduction, adduction and rotation of the prosthesis. Each of the bearing surfaces of the spacer has a concave cylindrical configuration that corresponds to the configuration of the bearing surface of the head that it receives.

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First Claim