Meniscus Prosthetic Device

Abstract

A prosthetic device that may be utilized as an artificial meniscus is disclosed. The prosthetic device can restore shock absorption, stability, and function to the knee after the damaged natural meniscus is removed and replaced with the prosthetic device. In some embodiments, the meniscus includes an integral fixation anchor and additional features that minimize the requirement for modification of the implant for proper fit during surgery.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A meniscus prosthetic for replacing a natural meniscus, the meniscus prosthetic comprising:
 a body formed of a pliable and resilient polymer and configured to provide shock absorption within a knee joint, wherein the body comprises:
 a perimeter configured to mimic a shape of the natural meniscus, wherein the perimeter comprises a semi-elliptical outer wall and a semi-elliptical inner wall, wherein a curvature of the outer wall matches the curvature of the inner wall; and 
 a recess configured to receive a bone screw such that the body is fastened to a tibia; and 
   a deformation control element disposed within the body.   
     
     
         3 . The meniscus prosthetic of  claim 1 , wherein the polymer comprises polycarbonate urethane. 
     
     
         4 . The meniscus prosthetic of  claim 1 , wherein the deformation control element is formed of a material different than the polymer. 
     
     
         5 . The meniscus prosthetic of  claim 1 , wherein the deformation control element comprises a filament. 
     
     
         6 . The meniscus prosthetic of  claim 1 , wherein the deformation control element is positioned within an opening in the body. 
     
     
         7 . The meniscus prosthetic of  claim 1 , wherein the recess is circular. 
     
     
         8 . The meniscus prosthetic of  claim 1 , wherein a distance between the outer wall and the inner wall is the same around the perimeter. 
     
     
         9 . The meniscus prosthetic of  claim 1 , wherein the outer wall comprises a vertical surface and the inner wall comprises a sloped surface. 
     
     
         10 . The meniscus prosthetic of  claim 9 , wherein the body comprises an upper articular surface configured to engage a femur and a lower articular surface configured engage the tibia. 
     
     
         11 . The meniscus prosthetic of  claim 10 , wherein the upper articular surface is continuous with the inner wall. 
     
     
         12 . A meniscus prosthetic device, comprising:
 a central body portion, comprising:
 an upper articulating surface comprising a flexible polymeric material and configured for moving engagement with a femur within a knee joint, wherein the upper articulating surface is shaped to define a first vertical bearing component and a first horizontal bearing component both configured for bearing against the femur; and 
 a lower articulating surface comprising the flexible polymeric material and configured to contact a tibia within the knee joint, wherein the lower articulating surface is shaped to define a second vertical bearing component and a second horizontal bearing component both configured for bearing against the tibia; and 
   a reinforcement component extending around the central body portion such that only the flexible polymeric material forms the central body portion, wherein the reinforcing component comprises an increased stiffness relative to the central body portion,   wherein the upper articulating surface and the lower articulating surface are configured to contact the femur and the tibia, respectively, without being rigidly affixed to the femur and the tibia such that the meniscus prosthetic device is translatable and rotatable within the knee joint.   
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the reinforcement component comprises at least one of a wire, cable, or a filament. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the reinforcement component comprises carbon fiber, a metal, or a polymer. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a perimeter completely surrounding the upper articulating surface, the perimeter comprising an increased thickness, wherein the increased thickness of the perimeter limits movement of the femur with respect to the upper articulating surface.   
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the perimeter comprises a first portion and a second portion, wherein the reinforcement component extends through the first portion. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the perimeter comprises a first portion and a second portion together completely surrounding the upper articulating surface. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the perimeter comprises a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion has a first thickness and the second portion has a second thickness different than the first thickness. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the upper articulating surface comprises a concave shape. 
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the lower articulating surface comprises a convex shape.