Bimetal acetabular component construct for hip joint prosthesis

Abstract

This invention provides for a novel orthopedic prosthesis, specifically a prosthetic acetabular component for a prosthetic total hip joint, that comprises two constructs, one being a metal base construct that engages the bone and the other being a polyethylene bearing construct that attaches to the metal base construct and articulates with a femoral stem prosthetic component on the opposing side of the joint. The metal base construct is composed of two different metals, one of which engages the bone surface and the other of which engages the polyethylene bearing construct. Each of these metals is selected so that its characteristics are well suited to its particular function. More particularly, the first metal (i.e., the one that engages the bone surface) is selected so as to provide a superior bone-engaging face, while the second metal (i.e., the one that engages the polyethylene bearing construct) is selected so as to provide a superior polyethylene-engaging face. By combining the different material characteristics of two different metals in the metal bone construct, it is possible to simultaneously form a superior bone-engaging face and a superior polyethylene-engaging face.

1 .- 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A prosthetic acetabular component for a hip joint, said prosthetic acetabular component comprising two constructs, one being a metal base construct that engages the bone and the other being a non-metal bearing construct that attaches to the metal base construct and articulates with a femoral component on the opposing side of the hip joint, where said metal base construct is composed of two different metals, a first metal which engages the bone surface and a second metal which engages the non-metal bearing construct, with the first metal being selected so as to provide a superior bone-engaging face, and the second metal being selected so as to provide a superior non-metal bearing-engaging face. 
     
     
         13 . A prosthetic acetabular component according to  claim 12  wherein said first metal comprises titanium. 
     
     
         14 . A prosthetic acetabular component according to  claim 12  wherein said first metal comprises a titanium alloy. 
     
     
         15 . A prosthetic acetabular component according to  claim 12  wherein said first metal comprises tantalum. 
     
     
         16 . A prosthetic acetabular component according to  claim 12  wherein said first metal comprises a tantalum alloy. 
     
     
         17 . A prosthetic acetabular component according to  claim 12  wherein said first metal comprises a material which is highly biocompatible and which exhibits good bone ingrowth properties. 
     
     
         18 . A prosthetic acetabular component according to  claim 12  wherein said second metal comprises CoCrMo. 
     
     
         19 . A prosthetic acetabular component according to  claim 12  wherein said second metal comprises a cobalt based alloy. 
     
     
         20 . A prosthetic acetabular component according to  claim 12  wherein said second metal comprises a stainless steel. 
     
     
         21 . A prosthetic acetabular component according to  claim 12  wherein said second metal comprises a zirconium based alloy. 
     
     
         22 . A prosthetic acetabular component according to  claim 12  wherein said second metal comprises a material which has relatively high hardness and which is scratch resistant. 
     
     
         23 . A prosthetic acetabular component for a hip joint, said prosthetic acetabular component comprising two constructs, one being a base construct that engages the bone and the other being a bearing construct that attaches to the base construct and articulates with a femoral component on the opposing side of the joint, where said base construct is composed of two different metals, a first metal which engages the bone surface and a second metal which engages the bearing construct, with the first metal being selected so as to provide a superior bone-engaging face, and the second metal being selected so as to provide a superior bearing-engaging face. 
     
     
         24 . A prosthetic component for a joint, said prosthetic component comprising two constructs, one being a base construct that engages the bone and the other being a bearing construct that attaches to the base construct and articulates with a joint component on the opposing side of the joint, where said base construct is composed of two different materials, a first material which engages the bone surface and a second material which engages the bearing construct, with the first material being selected so as to provide a superior bone-engaging face, and the second material being selected so as to provide a superior bearing-engaging face.