Adjustable Mandible Joint System

Abstract

The presently disclosed technology is directed towards an adjustable prosthesis prosthesis for replacing a mandible along with the ramus with a mandibular condyle. The prosthesis articulates to the skull at the temporal bone region. The prosthesis, of embodiments of the disclosed technology, has a horizontal/sagittal (or generally horizontal) and/or vertical (or generally vertical) adjustment screw which is accessible after implantation. In one embodiment, the adjustment screw is accessible by way of using a tool and rotating an adjustment rod. The adjustment rod is accessed via a sub-periosteal intral-oral incision, through points in the oral cavity post-surgical placement. The adjustment rod allows the length of the device, both a horizontal portion and vertical portion, to be adjusted post-placement.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A method of placing a prosthesis device, comprising:
 articulating with the skull, via a socket plate, a prosthesis to existing bone, said prosthesis comprising a lower and upper piece;   angling said upper piece by way of a joint connecting said upper piece to said socket plate;   adjusting a length of said upper piece of said prosthesis, post-placement, by way of an adjustment rod extending submucosally from said upper piece.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising a step of adjusting a length of said lower piece of said prosthesis, attached via a lower bone plate, said adjusting made post-placement, by way of a second adjustment rod extending submucosally from said lower piece. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said adjustment rods are accessible via an intra-oral incision post-placement. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein a length of said upper or lower piece of said prosthesis is adjusted due to growth of bones of a person in which said prosthesis is placed. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein a length of said upper or lower piece of said prosthesis is adjusted to match a length of a corresponding said upper or lower piece of a second prosthesis of a person in which said prosthesis is placed. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said upper piece corresponds to an upper jaw ramus of the mandible and said lower piece corresponds to the body of the mandible. 
     
     
         17 . An prosthesis adjustment mechanism, comprising:
 a subcutaneous threaded screw threadedly attached to a second housing of said prosthesis on a first end, and comprising a stop housed within a first housing;   a toothed gear rotatably engaged with a worm gear of said adjustment screw;   an adjustment rod extended perpendicular to an elongated plane of said threaded screw, wherein said adjustment rod is accessible subperiosteally via an intra-oral incision.   
     
     
         18 . The prosthesis adjustment mechanism of  claim 17 , comprising a second prosthesis adjustment mechanism, wherein said first mechanism is functionally engaged with a mandibular ramus and mandibular condyle replacement comprising said first housing, and said second mechanism is functionally engaged with a body of the mandible replacement comprising said second housing. 
     
     
         19 . The prosthesis adjustment mechanism of  claim 18 , wherein said first housing comprises an inner cavity, said inner cavity comprising said stop, said worm gear, and said toothed gear, and an outer cavity comprising threads of said threaded screw therein. 
     
     
         20 . The prosthesis adjustment mechanism of  claim 17 , wherein a lower plate is situated between said housing of said upper plate and said housing said lower plate, wherein upon extending said length of said prosthesis, a portion of said lower plate exits from a said housing.