IMPLANT DEVICE TO REPLACE THE CARPOMETACARPAL JOINT OF THE HUMAN THUMB

摘要

A joint prosthesis designed to replace the carpometacarpal joint of the human thumb. A first element which replaces the articular portion of the first metacarpal mates with a second element which replaces the articular portion of the trapezium. Articulation of the said first and second elements is provided by abutting toroidal mating surfaces which are complementary sections of the surfaces of identical toruses having center hole diameters equal to the diameters of the tubes. Contact of the mating surfaces is only along a pair of curved lines in perpendicular planes providing open spaces for lubrication of the joint by biological fluids.