Bone prosthesis for maintaining joint operation in complex joints

Abstract

A prosthesis including a magnetic implant approximating the size of a bone to be replaced; a first magnetic bone implant securable to a first bone adjacent the bone to be replaced; and a second magnetic bone implant securable to a second bone adjacent the bone to be replaced. Each of the first and second magnetic bone implants have a magnetic relationship with the magnetic implant. A method of reconstructing a wrist includes removing a patient's scaphoid to create a void. The scaphoid has a plurality of adjacent bones, each of the adjacent bones comprising a surface generally facing the void. The surface of at least two of the adjacent bones is prepared by affixing a magnetic element thereto and a magnetic scaphoid implant is inserted into the void. A magnetic relationship exists between the magnetic elements and the magnetic scaphoid implant.

1 . A prosthesis for a complex joint including more than three bones that move relatively comprising:
 (a) a magnetic implant approximating the size of a bone to be replaced in the complex joint;   (b) a first magnetic bone implant securable to a first bone adjacent the bone to be replaced; and   (c) a second magnetic bone implant securable to a second bone adjacent the bone to be replaced,   (d) wherein each of the first and second magnetic bone implants have a magnetic relationship with the magnetic implant.   
     
     
         2 . The prosthesis of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic implant is sized to be received in a void created by removing a bone from a patient's wrist. 
     
     
         3 . The prosthesis of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic implant comprises a magnet. 
     
     
         4 . The prosthesis of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first magnetic bone implant and the second magnetic bone implant comprise a magnet. 
     
     
         5 . The prosthesis of  claim 2 , wherein the first magnetic bone implant comprises a first magnet, the second magnetic bone implant comprises a second magnet and further comprising a third magnet securable to a third bone adjacent the bone to be replaced, and having a magnetic relationship with the magnetic implant. 
     
     
         6 . The prosthesis of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first magnetic bone implant and the second magnetic bone implant comprises a magnetic element and an insert disposed on the magnetic element, the magnetic implant contacting the insert. 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . The prosthesis of  claim 1 , further comprising a shield disposed on at least one of the magnetic implant, the first magnetic bone implant, and the second magnetic bone implant. 
     
     
         10 . A method of reconstructing a complex multi-bone joint including more than three bones that move relatively, comprising:
 (a) removing a bone comprising part of the complex multi-bone joint to be reconstructed to create a void, bones in the multi-bone joint comprises cooperating surfaces and connecting ligaments, the removed bone having at least three adjacent bones, each of the adjacent bones comprising a surface generally facing the void;   (b) replacing the surfaces of at least two of the adjacent bones generally facing the void with magnetic elements; and   (c) inserting a magnetic implant into the void, (d) wherein at least one of the magnetic implant and the magnetic elements includes a magnet.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the magnetic implant comprises the magnet and the magnetic elements are attracted to the magnetic implant. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the magnetic elements each comprise a magnet and the magnetic implant is attracted to the magnetic elements. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein each of the magnetic implant and the magnetic elements comprise magnets. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein two of the magnets attract each other. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein two of the magnets repel each other. 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 10 , comprising replacing the surfaces of at least three adjacent bones generally facing the void with magnetic elements. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 10 , comprising replacing the surfaces of at least four adjacent bones generally facing the void with magnetic elements. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 10 , comprising replacing the surfaces of at least five adjacent bones generally facing the void with magnetic elements. 
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising preparing the surfaces of at least two of the adjacent bones generally facing the void by removing diseased area from the surfaces. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the step of replacing the surfaces of at least two of the adjacent bones generally facing the void comprises forming a bore in at least one of the surfaces and inserting the magnetic element into the bore. 
     
     
         26 . A method of repairing an injured multi-bone joint, the joint including more than three bones that move relatively, interfaces between the bones, at least one of those interfaces being damaged, and ligament connections at the interfaces, the method comprising:
 (a) removing at least one bone having an injured interface, but less than all of the bones, and all of the ligaments attached to the removed bone;   (b) replacing the removed bone; and   (c) replacing the ligaments with a magnetic connection.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising removing injured tissue or bone from an injured surface on at least one bone adjacent the removed bone.