Compliant tibial component
A tibial component. The tibial component includes a discontinuous metal backing formed by a plurality of discrete metal elements, and a non-metal bearing secured to the discontinuous metal backing.
1 . A tibial component comprising:
a discontinuous metal backing formed by a plurality of discrete metal elements; and
a non-metal bearing secured to the discontinuous metal backing,
2 . The tibial component of claim 1 , wherein each discrete metal element includes a porous metal base and a solid metal layer, the solid metal layer having a first surface coupled to the porous metal base and a second surface coupled exclusively to the non-metal bearing.
3 . The tibial component of claim 2 , wherein the porous metal base and a solid metal layer are mechanically coupled to one another with an interlock connection.
4 . The tibial component of claim 2 , wherein the interlock connection is a dovetail connection.
5 . The tibial component of claim 3 , wherein the porous metal base and the solid metal layer are sintered to one another.
6 . The tibial component of claim 1 , wherein the discrete elements are elongated strips.
7 . The tibial component of claim 6 , wherein the elongated strips are arranged substantially parallel to an anterior-posterior direction of the tibial component.
8 . The tibial component of claim 1 , wherein the discrete elements are blocks of aspect ratio substantially equal to about one.
9 . The tibial component of claim 8 , wherein the blocks are arranged in columns, the columns substantially oriented along an anterior-posterior direction of the tibial component.
10 . The tibial component of claim 1 , further including a fixation stem.
11 . The tibial component of claim 10 , further including a fixation post.
12 . The tibial component of claim 1 , further including a taper for a modular stem.
13 . The tibial component of claim 1 , wherein the non-metal component is polymeric.
14 . A tibial component comprising:
a discontinuous metal backing; and
a non-metal bearing secured to the metal backing, the discontinuous metal backing increasing the compliance of the tibial component as compared to a continuous metal backing.
15 . The tibial component of claim 14 , wherein the metal backing is formed by a plurality of discrete metal elements.
16 . The tibial component of claim 15 , wherein each discrete metal element includes a porous metal base and a solid metal layer, the solid metal layer having a first surface coupled to the porous metal base and a second surface coupled exclusively to the non-metal bearing.
17 . The tibial component of claim 14 , wherein the non-metal bearing is molded to the metal backing.
18 . A method of making a tibial component, the method comprising:
sintering porous metal powder into solid metal to form a metal structure having a porous metal base and a solid metal layer;
machining the metal structure into discrete metal elements; and
molding a non-metal tibial bearing onto the solid metal layers of the discrete metal elements.
19 . The method of claim 18 , further comprising aligning the discrete metal elements in an anterior-posterior direction relative to the tibial component.
20 . The method of claim 18 , further comprising arranging the discrete metal elements in column along an anterior posterior direction of the tibial component.
21 . The method of claim 18 , further comprising roughening a surface of the solid metal layer such that the roughened surface contacts the porous metal.
22 . The method of claim 18 , wherein molding excludes interfacing the non-metal bearing with the porous metal base.