Bone joint implants

Abstract

Bone joint implants are described herein. The bone joint implants may comprise a metallic proximal platform configured for translational motion on the trapezium bone; a distal stem configured for intramedullary engagement with an end of the first metacarpal bone; an articulating coupling between the proximal platform and distal stem; and a proximal non-metallic wear surface and a distal non-metallic wear surface.

1 . A bone joint implant for a mammalian first carpometacarpal joint, comprising:
 a metallic proximal platform configured for translational motion on the trapezium bone;   a distal stem configured for intramedullary engagement with an end of the first metacarpal bone; and   an articulating coupling between the proximal platform and distal stem, the articulating coupling including one or more wear members forming a proximal non-metallic wear surface and a distal non-metallic wear surface; and   a proximal non-metallic wear surface and a distal non-metallic wear surface.   
     
     
         2 . The bone joint implant as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the proximal non-metallic wear surface forms a buffer surface that prohibits contact between the proximal platform and the stem during articulation. 
     
     
         3 . The bone joint implant as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the proximal non-metallic wear surface includes a concave curvature. 
     
     
         4 . The bone joint implant as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the proximal platform includes a distal end surface having a convex curvature. 
     
     
         5 . The bone joint implant as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the proximal non-metallic wear surface forms an annular surface. 
     
     
         6 . The bone joint implant as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the distal non-metallic wear surface is spherically shaped. 
     
     
         7 . The bone joint implant as claimed in  claim 1 , further including a unitary non-metallic wear member, and the proximal non-metallic wear surface and the distal non-metallic wear surface are formed on the unitary wear member. 
     
     
         8 . The bone joint implant as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the unitary non-metallic wear member is an insert received in a proximal end surface of the stem, and the insert includes a proximal portion extending proximally of the proximal end surface of the stem. 
     
     
         9 . The bone joint implant as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the proximal portion is a flange of the insert, and the flange includes the proximal non-metallic wear surface. 
     
     
         10 . The bone joint implant as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the articulating coupling is a ball and socket coupling, and the insert forms the socket of the ball and socket coupling. 
     
     
         11 . A bone joint implant for a mammalian first carpometacarpal joint, comprising:
 a proximal part configured for translational motion on the trapezium bone, the proximal part including a platform;   a distal part configured for intramedullary engagement with an end of the first metacarpal bone, the distal part including a stem and a wear surface located proximal to the stem;   an insert received in a proximal end surface of the stem, the insert including a proximal flange, and the wear surface being formed on the proximal flange; and   an articulating coupling between the proximal and distal parts,   the wear surface being further located to limit articulation and prohibit contact between the platform and the stem.   
     
     
         12 . The bone joint implant as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the wear surface is non-metallic, and the platform is metallic. 
     
     
         13 . The bone joint implant as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the wear surface includes a concave curvature. 
     
     
         14 . The bone joint implant as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the platform includes a distal end surface having a convex curvature. 
     
     
         15 . The bone joint implant as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the wear surface forms an annular surface. 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . The bone joint implant as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the articulating coupling is a ball and socket coupling, and the ball forms a part of the proximal part, and the socket is formed by the insert. 
     
     
         19 . The bone joint implant as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the ball extends distally of the flange. 
     
     
         20 . The bone joint implant as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the wear surface includes a concave curvature. 
     
     
         21 .- 30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . A bone joint implant for a mammalian first carpometacarpal joint, comprising:
 a proximal part configured for translational motion on the trapezium bone;   a distal part configured for intramedullary engagement with an end of the first metacarpal bone;   an insert received in a proximal end surface of the distal part;   an articulating coupling between the proximal part and distal part; and   a proximal non-metallic wear surface and a distal non-metallic wear surface,   wherein the proximal non-metallic wear surface and the distal non-metallic wear surface are formed on a portion of the insert.   
     
     
         32 . The bone joint implant as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein the proximal non-metallic wear surface forms a buffer surface that prohibits contact between the proximal part and the distal part during articulation.