Anterior locking clip

Abstract

A prosthetic assembly is provided. The prosthetic assembly comprises: a tibial tray having a medial retaining bracket, a lateral retaining bracket and a substantially centrally disposed boss, a medial bearing, a lateral bearing and a retention clip having a pair or arms which engage opposite sides of the boss and trap the medial lateral bearings, against the medial and lateral retaining brackets, respectively. A method of securing bearing components to a prosthetic assembly is also provided.

21 . A prosthetic assembly comprising:
 a medial bearing and a lateral bearing;   a tibial tray comprising:
 a medial retaining bracket located at a medial edge of a medial portion of the tibial tray and a lateral retaining bracket located at a lateral edge of a lateral portion of the tibial tray; 
 a substantially centrally located boss; and 
 a tibial stem defining a recess; 
   a resilient element positionable at least partially within the recess and connectable to an artificial ligament; and   a retention clip engageable with opposite sides of the boss to trap the medial bearing and the lateral bearing against the medial retaining bracket and the lateral retaining bracket, respectively, the retention clip engageable with the recess of the tibial stem to retain the resilient element within the recess.   
     
     
         22 . The prosthetic assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the recess includes a groove configured to receive at least a portion of the resilient element therein to allow the resilient element to expand and contract within the stem recess. 
     
     
         23 . The prosthetic assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the recess includes a first groove and a second groove each configured to receive a portion of the resilient element therein to allow the resilient element to expand and contract within the stem recess. 
     
     
         24 . The prosthetic assembly of  claim 23 , wherein the retention clip includes a first arm configured to cover the first groove and a second arm configured to cover the second groove when the retention clip is engaged with the boss. 
     
     
         25 . The prosthetic assembly of  claim 24 , wherein each of the first arm and the second arm extend anteriorly-to-posteriorly to engage opposite sides of the boss, the first arm configured to engage and trap the medial bearing against the medial retaining bracket, and the second arm configured to engage and trap the lateral bearing against the lateral retaining bracket. 
     
     
         26 . The prosthetic assembly of  claim 25 , wherein the first arm is slidably insertable into a medial passage of the medial bearing and the second arm is slidably insertable into a lateral passage of the lateral bearing. 
     
     
         27 . The prosthetic assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the resilient element includes a ligament anchor configured to connect the resilient element to the artificial ligament. 
     
     
         28 . The prosthetic assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the resilient element is a spiral spring. 
     
     
         29 . The prosthetic assembly of  claim 21  rein the resilient element is configured to apply tension to the artificial ligament, 
     
     
         30 . The prosthetic assembly of  claim 29 , wherein the resilient element is configured to expand and contract within the stem recess in response to a load applied to the artificial ligament. 
     
     
         31 . A prosthetic assembly comprising:
 a medial bearing and a lateral bearing;   a tibial tray comprising:
 a medial retaining bracket located at a medial edge of a medial portion of the tibial tray; 
 a lateral retaining bracket located at a lateral edge of a lateral portion of the tibial tray; 
 a central boss; and 
 a tibial stem defining a recess; 
   a resilient element located at least partially within the recess and connectable to an artificial ligament; and   a retention system engaged with opposite sides of the boss to secure the medial bearing and the lateral bearing against the medial retaining bracket and the lateral retaining bracket, respectively, the retention system engaged with the recess of the tibial stem to retain the resilient element within the recess.   
     
     
         32 . The prosthetic assembly of  claim 31 , wherein the recess includes a first groove and a second groove supporting portions of the resilient element therein to allow the resilient element to expand and contract within the stem recess. 
     
     
         33 . The prosthetic assembly of  claim 32 , wherein the retention system includes a first arm covering the first groove and a second arm covering the second groove. 
     
     
         34 . The prosthetic assembly of  claim 33 , wherein each of the first arm and the second arm extend anteriorly-to-posteriorly and engage opposite sides of the boss, the first arm securing the medial bearing against the medial retaining bracket, and the second aim securing the lateral bearing against the lateral retaining bracket. 
     
     
         35 . The prosthetic assembly of  claim 34 , wherein the first arm is slidably insertable into a medial passage of the medial bearing and the second arm is slidably insertable into a lateral passage of the lateral bearing. 
     
     
         36 . A prosthetic assembly comprising:
 a medial bearing and a lateral bearing;   a tibial tray comprising:
 a medial retaining bracket located at a medial edge of a medial portion of the tibial tray; 
 a lateral retaining bracket located at a lateral edge of a lateral portion of the tibial tray; 
 a substantially centrally located boss; and 
 a tibial stem defining a recess; 
   a resilient element positionable at least partially within e recess and connectable to an artificial ligament; and   a retention clip including a pair of arms configured to engage opposite sides of the boss and trap a medial bearing and a lateral bearing against the medial retaining bracket and the lateral retaining bracket, respectively, the retention clip configured to at least partially cover the recess of the tibial stem to retain the resilient element within the recess.   
     
     
         37 . The prosthetic assembly of  claim 36 , wherein the pair of arms includes a first arm and a second arm extending anteriorly-to-posteriorly to engage opposite sides of the boss, the first arm configured to engage and trap the medial bearing against the medial retaining bracket, and the second arm configured to engage and trap the lateral bearing against the lateral retaining bracket. 
     
     
         38 . The prosthetic assembly of  claim 37 , wherein the first arm is slidably insertable into a medial passage of the medial bearing and the second arm is slidably insertable into a lateral passage of the lateral bearing. 
     
     
         39 . The prosthetic assembly of  claim 36 , wherein the resilient element includes a ligament anchor configured to connect the resilient element to the artificial ligament. 
     
     
         40 . The prosthetic assembly of  claim 39 , wherein the resilient element is configured to expand and contract within the stem recess in response to load applied to the artificial ligament.