Foldable Prosthetic Implant Element

Abstract

The present invention seeks to provide improved joint implants and methods relating to joint implantation. An embodiment is described wherein an implant is constructed of a resilient material which may be deformed to facilitate implantation and final fixation at the joint.

1 . (canceled) 
   
   
       2 . A surgical method, comprising:
 obtaining a resiliently flexible prosthetic acetabular cup comprising an outer engagement surface and an inner articulation surface, the acetabular cup movable between an insertion configuration and an engagement configuration, wherein in the insertion configuration the outer and inner surfaces define at least one fold, and wherein in the engagement configuration the outer and inner surfaces are partially spherical and do not include the at least one fold, the acetabular cup being resiliently biased towards the engagement configuration;   inserting the acetabular cup into a patient while maintaining the acetabular cup in the insertion configuration;   releasing the acetabular cup to allow the acetabular cup to resiliently deform from the insertion configuration to the engagement configuration; and   securely engaging the acetabular cup in the engagement configuration to an acetabulum of the patient.   
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein securely engaging the acetabular cup comprises snap-fitting the acetabular cup to the acetabulum. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein snap-fitting the acetabular cup comprises engaging a protrusion extending from the outer surface of the acetabular cup with a recess formed in the acetabulum of the patient. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising reaming at least a portion of the acetabulum of the patient. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein reaming the at least a portion of the acetabulum comprises forming the recess. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein forming the recess comprises forming an annular recess and wherein snap-fitting the acetabular cup comprises engaging an annular protrusion extending from the outer surface of the acetabular cup with the annular recess formed in the acetabulum. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein snap-fitting the acetabular cup comprises urging the acetabular cup towards the acetabulum using one's fingers. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein urging the acetabular cup towards the acetabulum using one's fingers comprises pushing on a rim of the acetabular cup extending between the outer and inner surfaces. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein urging the acetabular cup towards the acetabulum using one's fingers further comprises pushing on a portion of the inner surface prior to the pushing on the rim of the acetabular cup. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the acetabular cup comprises a resilient polyurethane. 
   
   
       12 . A surgical method, comprising:
 obtaining a prosthetic acetabulur cup comprising an outer surface and an inner articulation surface, the acetabular cup resiliently movable between an insertion configuration and an engagement configuration, wherein in the insertion configuration the acetabular cup has a first maximum diameter and at least one fold, and wherein in the engagement configuration the acetabular cup has a second maximum diameter less than the first maximum diameter and does not include the at least one fold such that the outer and inner surfaces are substantially semi-spherical;   inserting the acetabular cup into a patient while maintaining the acetabular cup in the insertion configuration;   moving the acetabular cup from the insertion configuration to the engagement configuration; and   securely engaging the acetabular cup in the engagement configuration to an acetabulum of the patient.   
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the acetabular cup is resiliently biased to the engagement configuration, and wherein moving the acetabular cup to the engagement configuration comprises releasing the acetabular cup from the insertion configuration. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein maintaining the acetabular cup in the insertion configuration comprises holding the acetabular cup with one's fingers. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein securely engaging the acetabular cup comprises snap-fitting the acetabular cup to the acetabulum. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein snap-fitting the acetabular cup comprises urging the acetabular cup towards the acetabulum using one's fingers. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein snap-fitting the acetabular cup comprises engaging a protrusion extending from the outer surface of the acetabular cup with a recess formed in the acetabulum of the patient 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising reaming at least a portion of the acetabulum of the patient. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 obtaining a prosthetic femoral head resurfacing element comprising an inner engagement surface and an outer articulation surface for articulating with the inner articulation surface of the acetabular cup, the femoral head resurfacing element resiliently movable between an insertion configuration and an engagement configuration, wherein in the insertion configuration the femoral head resurfacing element defines at least one fold, and wherein in the engagement configuration the femoral head resurfacing element does not include the at least one fold such that at least the outer surfaces is substantially semi-spherical;   inserting the femoral head resurfacing element into a patient while maintaining the femoral head resurfacing element in the insertion configuration;   moving the femoral head resurfacing element to the engagement configuration;   securely engaging the femoral head resurfacing element in the engagement configuration to a femur of the patient; and   positioning the outer surface of the femoral head resurfacing element into articulating engagement with the inner surface of the acetabular cup.   
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein securely engaging the acetabular cup comprises snap-fitting the acetabular cup to the acetabulum, and wherein securely engaging the femoral head resurfacing element comprises snap-fitting the femoral head resurfacing element to the femur. 
   
   
       21 . A surgical method, comprising:
 obtaining a resiliently flexible prosthetic acetabular cup comprising an outer engagement surface and an inner articulation surface, the acetabular cup movable between an insertion configuration and an engagement configuration, wherein in the insertion configuration the acetabular cup defines at least one fold, and wherein in the engagement configuration the acetabular cup does not include the at least one fold such that the outer and inner surfaces are partially spherical, the acetabular cup being a unitary structure formed of a resilient polyurethane biased to the engagement configuration;   reaming a portion of a patient's acetabulum;   transitioning the acetabular cup to the insertion configuration with one's fingers;   inserting the acetabular cup into a patient while maintaining the acetabular cup in the insertion configuration with one's fingers;   releasing the acetabular cup to allow the acetabular cup to resiliently deform from the insertion configuration to the engagement configuration; and   snap-fitting the acetabular cup to the reamed acetabulum by urging the acetabular cup towards the reamed acetabulum with one's fingers.