Artificial toe joint

Abstract

An artificial toe joint utilizes a ball in socket joint structure and arms or side walls which are exterior to the bone. The resulting joint provides improved strength and durability, and may be used to repair joints which are not suitable for installation of a prior art artificial joint.

1 . An artificial toe joint comprising:
 a first artificial joint member having a first side forming an articulation surface and a second side forming a bone attachment surface and having an attachment member extending from the perimeter edge of the second side in a direction away from the first side;   a second artificial joint member having a first side forming an articulation surface and a second side forming a bone attachment surface and having an attachment member extending from the perimeter edge of the second side in a direction away from the first side;   wherein the first side of the first artificial joint member and the first side of the second artificial joint member comprise generally complementary surfaces disposed adjacent one another to form a movable joint; and   wherein the second side of the first artificial joint member and the second side of the second artificial joint member are attachable to first and second toe bones forming a toe joint which is to be replaced; wherein   the adjoining ends of the first and second bones are resected to form end surfaces generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bone such that the first and second bones each comprise a top surface, a bottom surface, side surfaces, a resected end surface, and an interior core;   wherein, when the first and second joint members are installed on said first and second bones, respectively, the second sides of the first and second joint members are attached to the resected ends of the first and second bones respectively, and the attachment members of both the first and second joint members are attached to the top surface or a side surface of the respective bone without penetrating the interior core of the bone.   
     
     
         2 . The artificial joint of  claim 1 , wherein the second side of the first artificial joint member, when installed, is attached to a metatarsal bone and the second side of the second artificial joint member, when installed, is attached to a phalange bone. 
     
     
         3 . The artificial joint of  claim 2 , wherein the attachment members of the first artificial joint member and the second artificial joint member comprise arms for attachment to the metatarsal and phalange bones. 
     
     
         4 . The artificial joint of  claim 3 , wherein the arms are configured for attachment to the tops of the metatarsal and phalange bones 
     
     
         5 . The artificial joint of  claim 3 , wherein the attachment members of the first artificial joint member and the second artificial joint member comprise a plurality of arms for attachment to the tops and the sides of the respective metatarsal and phalange bone. 
     
     
         6 . The artificial joint of  claim 2 , wherein the attachment members of the first artificial joint member and the second artificial joint member comprise side walls which extend around the top and the sides of the respective metatarsal and phalange bone. 
     
     
         7 . The artificial joint of  claim 3 , wherein the arms comprise holes formed therein and configured for receiving a pin or screw for attaching the first and second artificial joint members to the bones. 
     
     
         8 . The artificial joint of  claim 2 , wherein the second side of the first artificial joint member and the second side of the second artificial joint member comprise concave receptacles for receiving the resected ends of the bones. 
     
     
         9 . The artificial joint of  claim 1 , wherein the second side of the first artificial joint member and the second side of the second artificial joint member further comprise a small post or spike located in the receptacle and configured for engaging the core of the bones. 
     
     
         10 .- 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . The artificial joint of  claim 1 , wherein the first side of the second artificial joint member comprises a recess configured for receiving an insert, and wherein said recess forms the articulation surface. 
     
     
         14 . The artificial joint of  claim 13 , further comprising an insert configured for disposition in said recess. 
     
     
         15 . The artificial joint of  claim 14 , wherein the first side of the second artificial joint member comprises a retaining member configured to hold the insert adjacent the second artificial joint member. 
     
     
         16 . The artificial joint of  claim 15 , wherein the retaining member comprises a detent in the second artificial joint member configured for receiving a projection on the insert. 
     
     
         17 . The artificial joint of  claim 15 , wherein the retaining member comprises a generally annular rib configured to nest in a generally annular groove on the insert. 
     
     
         18 . An artificial toe joint for attachment to a first bone and a second bone which are adjacent one another in a foot so as to form a toe joint, the bones each having a resected end forming an end surface and having an upper surface, a lower surface, and side surfaces, the artificial toe joint comprising:
 a first artificial joint member having a first side forming an articulation surface and a second side forming a bone attachment surface, and comprising an attachment structure extending from the edge of the second side;   wherein, when the first joint member is attached to the first bone, the second side is attached to the bone end surface and the attachment structure is attached to the top surface or a side surface of the bone;   a second artificial joint member having a first side forming an articulation surface and a second side forming a bone attachment surface, and comprising an attachment structure extending from the edge of the second side; and   wherein, when the second joint member is attached to the second bone, the second side is attached to the bone end surface and the attachment structure is attached to the top surface or a side surface of the bone.   
     
     
         19 . The artificial toe joint of  claim 18 , wherein the second side of at least one of the first artificial toe joint member and the second artificial toe joint member further comprises a post extending therefrom. 
     
     
         20 . The artificial toe joint of  claim 20 , wherein the first artificial toe joint member is configured to substantially enclose the resected end of the first bone. 
     
     
         21 - 43 . (canceled) 
     
     
         44 . The artificial toe joint of  claim 18 , wherein the first joint member attachment structure comprises a first arm attached to the top of the bone, a second arm attached to a first side of the bone and a third arm attached to a second side of the bone generally opposite the first side. 
     
     
         45 . The artificial toe joint of  claim 18 , wherein the first joint member attachment structure comprises a generally continuous flange extending around the top and both sides of the bone. 
     
     
         46 . The artificial joint of  claim 19 , wherein said post extends from the side a distance less than one fourth the distance by which the attachment structure extends form the second side. 
     
     
         47 . The artificial toe joint of  claim 18 , wherein the first joint member and second joint member attachment structures do not engage an interior of the bone. 
     
     
         48 . The artificial toe joint of  claim 18 , wherein the first joint member and second joint member attachment structures do not pass through the resected end of the bone. 
     
     
         49 . An artificial toe joint for installation onto a first toe bone and a second toe bone, the first bone having a longitudinal axis and an end generally perpendicular to said longitudinal axis, the second bone having a longitudinal axis and an end generally perpendicular to the end of the first bone, the joint comprising:
 a first joint component, the first joint component having a bone attachment surface, an articulation surface disposed opposite the bone mounting surface, and a mounting arm attached to the top edge of the bone attachment surface and extending generally perpendicularly to the bone attachment surface in a direction away from the articulation surface;   a second joint component, the second joint component having a bone attachment surface, an articulation surface disposed opposite the bone mounting surface, and a mounting arm attached to the top edge of the bone attachment surface and extending generally perpendicular to the bone attachment surface in a direction away from the articulation surface; and   wherein the second joint component articulation surface is disposed against the first joint component articulation surface to form an articulating toe joint.   
     
     
         50 . The artificial toe joint of  claim 49 , wherein the first joint component further comprises a collar attached to the edge of the bone attachment surface and wherein, when the first joint component is attached to the first bone, the collar extends around the exterior of the bone adjacent the end to enclose a portion of the bone. 
     
     
         51 . The artificial toe joint of  claim 50 , wherein the second joint component further comprises a collar attached to the edge of the bone attachment surface and wherein, when the second joint component is attached to the second bone, the collar extends around the exterior of the bone adjacent the end to enclose a portion of the bone. 
     
     
         52 . The artificial toe joint of  claim 49 , wherein the first and second bones have resected ends, and wherein the mounting arms of the first and second joint members do not pass through the resented end of the first and second bones, respectively. 
     
     
         53 . The artificial toe joint of  claim 49 , wherein the first joint component comprises a receptacle and has an insert disposed therein to form the articulation surface. 
     
     
         54 . The artificial toe joint of  claim 49 , wherein, when the first joint component is installed on the first bone, the bone attachment surface is attached to the end of the bone and the mounting arm is attached to a top exterior surface of the bone in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of said bone and wherein, when the second joint component is installed on the second bone, the bone attachment surface is attached to the end of the bone and the mounting arm is attached to a top exterior surface of the bone in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of said bone and the second joint component articulation surface is disposed against the first joint component articulation surface.