Cushion bearing implants for load bearing applications

1. An acetabular implant for use in a hip joint prosthesis, the implant comprising:

a body portion comprising a polycarbonate polyurethane having a durometer hardness of approximately 80 Shore A, the body portion comprising:

a substantially semispherical inner articulating surface defining a socket sized to receive a head portion of a femoral component of the hip joint prosthesis; and

an outer engagement surface having an annular protrusion extending outwardly from the outer engagement surface, the annular protrusion being resiliently deformable for snap-fit engagement with a corresponding recess, wherein the annular protrusion includes an upper surface portion that interfaces with the outer engagement surface at a first angle and a lower surface portion that interfaces with the outer engagement surface at a second angle, the second angle being less than the first angle; and

a deformation control element comprising a polymer having a durometer hardness of approximately 70 Shore D and positioned entirely within the body portion between the inner articulating surface and the outer engagement surface, wherein the deformation control element comprises a generally semispherical shape with a plurality of cutouts therein, wherein the plurality of cutouts are shaped to define a plurality of flaps, the flaps having an increased thickness adjacent the boundary extending between the inner articulating surface and the outer engagement surface, and wherein the deformation control element limits outward deformation of the body portion and allows inward deformation of the body portion;

wherein the annular protrusion of the outer engagement surface defines a maximum diameter of the implant that is less than a maximum diameter of the implant at a boundary of the implant extending between the inner articulating surface and the outer engagement surface.

2. The acetabular implant of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of cutouts are substantially rectangular in shape.

3. The acetabular implant of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of cutouts includes a substantially circular cutout adjacent an apex of the deformation control element.

4. The acetabular implant of claim 1 , wherein the inner articulating surface comprises a beveled edge adjacent the boundary extending between the inner articulating surface and the outer engagement surface.

5. The acetabular implant of claim 1 , wherein the body portion has a substantially constant thickness between the inner articulating surface and the outer engagement surface.

6. The acetabular implant of claim 1 , wherein the outer engagement surface is substantially semispherical except for the annular protrusion.

7. A prosthetic device for use in a joint, comprising:

a body portion comprising a polycarbonate polyurethane having a durometer hardness of approximately 80 Shore A, the body portion defining:

a spherical inner articulating surface comprised solely of the polycarbonate polyurethane and defining a socket sized to receive a head portion of a femoral component of a hip joint prosthesis; and

an outer engagement surface having an annular protrusion extending outwardly from the outer engagement surface, the annular protrusion resiliently deformable for snap-fit engagement with a corresponding recess, wherein the annular protrusion includes an upper surface portion that interfaces with the outer engagement surface at a first angle and a lower surface portion that interfaces with the outer engagement surface at a second angle, the second angle being less than the first angle; and

a deformation control element comprising a polymer having a durometer hardness of approximately 70 Shore D and positioned entirely within the body portion between the inner articulating surface and the outer engagement surface, wherein the deformation control element comprises a generally semispherical shape with a plurality of cutouts therein, wherein the plurality of cutouts are shaped to define a plurality of flaps, the flaps having an increased thickness adjacent the boundary extending between the inner articulating surface and the outer engagement surface, and wherein the deformation control element limits outward deformation of the body portion and allows inward deformation of the body portion;

wherein the annular protrusion of the outer engagement surface defines a maximum diameter of the prosthetic device that is less than a maximum diameter of the prosthetic device at a boundary of the prosthetic device extending between the inner articulating surface and the outer engagement surface; and

wherein the boundary of the prosthetic device comprises a rounded surface extending between the inner articulating surface and the outer engagement surface.

8. The prosthetic device of claim 7 , wherein the outer engagement surface is substantially semispherical except for the annular protrusion.

9. The prosthetic device of claim 8 , wherein the body portion has a substantially constant thickness between the inner articulating surface and the outer engagement surface.

10. The prosthetic device of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of cutouts are substantially rectangular in shape.

11. The prosthetic device of claim 9 , wherein the deformation control element comprises a plurality of polymer fibers.