Method and assembly of a pyrolytic carbon component attached to another component

1. A prosthetic assembly comprising:

a base component comprising at least one engagement surface; and

a pyrolytic carbon component comprising at least one engagement surface, the pyrolytic carbon component being configured to elastically deform from a first shape upon pressing the pyrolytic carbon component onto the base component and then partially return to the first shape such that the engagement surface of the pyrolytic carbon component mechanically interlocks with the engagement surface of the base component in a snap fit relationship with at least a portion of the deformation stress, created during coupling with the base component, begin retained by the pyrolytic carbon component so as to immobilize the base component and the pyrolytic carbon component with respect to each other.

2. The prosthetic assembly of claim 1 wherein the base component comprises a material having a Young's modulus higher than the pyrolytic carbon component.

3. The prosthetic assembly of claim 1 wherein the base component comprises a unitary component.

4. The prosthetic assembly of claim 1 wherein the base component comprises metal.

5. The prosthetic assembly of claim 1 wherein the pyrolytic carbon component comprises:

a convex articular surface;

a concave inner surface; and

at least one extension on a perimeter edge of the articular surface mechanically interlocked with the engagement surface on the base component in the snap fit relationship.

6. The prosthetic assembly of claim 1 wherein the pyrolytic carbon component comprises:

a concave articular surface;

a convex inner surface; and

at least one extension on a perimeter edge of the articular surface mechanically interlocked with the engagement surface on the base component in the snap fit relationship.

7. The prosthetic assembly of claim 1 , wherein the engagement surface on the base component comprises a maximum dimension and the engagement surface on the pyrolytic carbon component comprises a minimum dimension that is less than the maximum dimension on the base member.

8. The prosthetic assembly of claim 1 wherein the pyrolytic carbon component comprises a resurfacing shell extending substantially across an outer surface of the base component.

9. The prosthetic assembly of claim 1 wherein the pyrolytic carbon component comprises an articular surface for a prosthetic implant.

10. The prosthetic assembly of claim 1 comprising a shoulder prosthesis.

11. The prosthetic assembly of claim 1 , wherein the base component includes a perimeter portion having an inner side and an outer side, the inner side comprising the at least one engagement surface and the pyrolytic carbon component includes a perimeter portion having an inner side and an outer side, the outer side comprising the at least one engagement surface.

12. The prosthetic assembly of claim 1 , wherein the mechanical interlock between the base component and the pyrolitic carbon component is reversible, so as to permit removal of the pyrolitic carbon component from the base component.

13. A prosthetic assembly having a first side, a second side, and a longitudinal axis extending between the first and second sides, the prosthetic assembly comprising:

a base component having an outer surface toward the first side of the prosthetic assembly and comprising at least one engagement surface facing outward relative to the longitudinal axis and having a rim proximal to the outer surface of the base component, the engagement surface of the base component having a maximum dimension at the rim and tapering inward relative to the longitudinal axis moving away from the outer surface toward the second side of the prosthetic assembly; and

a pyrolytic carbon component comprising at least one engagement surface and an articular surface toward the first side of the prosthetic assembly, the engagement surface of the pyrolytic carbon component having a distal edge defining a minimum dimension, the engagement surface tapering outward relative to the longitudinal axis moving away from the distal edge toward the first side of the prosthetic assembly, the pyrolytic carbon component elastically being deformed and maintained in a widened state by the engagement surface of the base component to mechanically interlock with the engagement surface on the base component.

14. The prosthetic assembly of claim 13 wherein the minimum dimension of the pyrolytic carbon component is less than the maximum dimension of the base member.

15. The prosthetic assembly of claim 13 , wherein the mechanical interlock between the base component and the pyrolitic carbon component is reversible, so as to permit removal of the pyrolitic carbon component from the base component.