Lockable implants and related methods

Abstract

Total joint replacements for implants include a first member configured to attach to a first bone, a second member configured to reside in an adjacent second hone and a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism is configured to (i) lock the first and second members in alignment for full extension or other defined stabilized configuration and (ii) unlock to allow the first and second members to pivot relative to each other for flexion or bending.

That which is claimed: 
     
         1 . An implant, comprising:
 a first member configured to attach to a first bone;   a second member in cooperating alignment with the first member configured to reside in a second adjacent bone; and   a lock mechanism in communication with the first and/or second member configured to (i) lock the first member to the second member for a stabilized configuration and (ii) unlock the first and second members to allow them to pivot relative to each other for flexion or bending,   
     
     
         2 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the lock mechanism is selectively actuated by a user to lock and unlock the implant. 
     
     
         3 . The implant of  claim 1 , further comprising a hinge assembly having an axle configured to hingedly attach the first member to the second member,
 wherein the hinge assembly comprises a yoke with an axle channel that holds the axle and at least one spaced apart second channel, wherein the lock mechanism comprises at least one locking member that selectively slides in defined forward and reverse directions in the at least one second channel to respectively lock and unlock the first and second members.   
     
     
         4 . The implant of  claim 3 , wherein the first member has a bearing surface defined by a polymer insert that holds the yoke and allows the second member to rotate in a flexion axis relative to the first member. 
     
     
         5 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the lock mechanism comprises a magnet that slides to lock and or unlock in response to application of an external magnetic field. 
     
     
         6 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the lock mechanism is configured to be manually selectively actuated upon a contact force associated with a user physically pressing on an actuation member in communication with the lock mechanism that resides under skin of the patient with the implant. 
     
     
         7 . The implant of  claim 1 , further comprising a hinge assembly that attaches the first and second members, wherein the hinge assembly comprises a yoke with a channel that receives first and second laterally spaced apart first and second magnets, and wherein the first or second member comprises spaced apart open interior spaces that align with opposing sides of the yoke, one that receives a first magnet and one that receives the second magnet, and wherein the first and second magnets slide out of the yoke channel into the respective first or second member interior spaces to unlock the lock mechanism and the magnets slide into the yoke interior space to lock the implant. 
     
     
         8 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the implant is a total joint replacement implant. 
     
     
         9 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the implant is a total knee replacement implant. 
     
     
         10 . The implant of  claim 1 , wherein the implant is a total joint replacement implant of an elbow. 
     
     
         11 . A method of operating an implant in a patient, comprising:
 selectively unlocking a lock of an implant having first and second members that can move relative to each other using an implantable lock onboard the implant; and   selectively locking the lock to lock the first member and the second member together in a fixed configuration for structural stability using the onboard lock.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the lock comprises at least one magnet that slides, and wherein the selectively locking and unlocking are carried out by passing an external magnetic field over the at least one magnet. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the selectively locking is manually carried, out by physically pressing on an actuation member in communication with the lock that resides under skin of the patient with the implant. 
     
     
         14 . A lockable implant, comprising:
 a first member configured to attach to a first bone;   a second member in cooperating alignment with the first member configured to reside in a second adjacent bone; and   a lock mechanism in communication with the first and second members configured to (i) lock the first member to the second member for a stabilized configuration and (ii) unlock the first and second members to allow them to pivot relative to each other for flexion or bending,   wherein the implant first and second members have a cooperating ball and socket configuration and the lock mechanism comprises at least one locking member that can slide through a locking channel to enter and exit a defined interior space of the first and/or second member to lock and unlock the implant.   
     
     
         15 . The implant of  claim 14 , wherein the lock mechanism is selectively actuated by a user to lock and unlock the implant. 
     
     
         16 . The implant of  claim 14 , wherein the lock mechanism comprises at least one magnet that slides to lock and/or unlock in response to application of an external magnetic field. 
     
     
         17 . The implant of  claim 14 , wherein the lock mechanism is configured to be manually selectively actuated upon a contact force associated with a user physically pressing on an actuation member in communication with the lock mechanism that resides under skin of the patient with the implant. 
     
     
         18 . A lockable implant, comprising:
 a first member configured to attach to a first bone;   a second member in cooperating alignment with the first member configured to reside in as second adjacent hone; and   a lock mechanism in communication with the first and second members configured to (i) lock the first member to the second member for a stabilized configuration and (ii) unlock the first and second members to allow them to pivot relative to each other for flexion or bending,   wherein the implant is a total hip replacement implant.   
     
     
         19 . The implant of  claim 18 , wherein the lock mechanism is selectively actuated by a user to lock and unlock the implant. 
     
     
         20 . The implant of  claim 18 , wherein the lock mechanism comprises at least one magnet that slides to lock and/or unlock in response to application of an external magnetic field or the look mechanism is configured to be manually selectively actuated upon a contact force associated with a user physically pressing on an actuation member in communication with the lock mechanism that resides under skin of the patient with the implant.