HIP JOINT DEVICE AND METHOD
A medical device for implantation in a hip joint of a patient is provided. The medical device comprises a first and second piece and a releasing member adapted to, in a first state hold the first piece attached to the second piece, and in a second state release the first piece from the second piece. The releasing member is adapted to change from the first state to the second state when a pre-determined strain is placed on the releasing member.
1 .- 70 . (canceled)
71 . A method of installing a medical device for reducing the risk of permanent damage to a hip joint of a human patient, said method comprising the steps of:
a. exposing the hip joint through a surgical or arthroscopic procedure,
b. fixating a prosthetic acetabulum of said medical device to a pelvic bone,
c. placing said prosthetic acetabulum in connection with a caput femur or prosthetic caput femur, and
d. holding said caput femur or prosthetic caput femur to said prosthetic acetabulum using a releasing member, and
e. releasing said caput femur or prosthetic caput femur from said prosthetic acetabulum when a pre-determined strain is placed on said releasing member.
72 . The method according to claim 71 , wherein the step of holding said caput femur or prosthetic caput femur to said prosthetic acetabulum comprises holding said caput femur or prosthetic caput femur to said prosthetic acetabulum using an elastic member.
73 . The method according to claim 71 , wherein the step of holding said caput femur or prosthetic caput femur to said prosthetic acetabulum comprises holding said caput femur or prosthetic caput femur to said prosthetic acetabulum using a rupturing member.
74 . The method according to claim 71 , wherein the step of holding said caput femur or prosthetic caput femur to said prosthetic acetabulum comprises holding said caput femur or prosthetic caput femur to said prosthetic acetabulum using a spring loaded member.
75 . The method according to claim 71 , further comprising the step:
g. reinstating the caput femur or prosthetic caput femur into said prosthetic acetabulum after releasing the caput femur or prosthetic caput femur from said prosthetic acetabulum, when a strain, exceeding a predetermined threshold, is exerted on the hip joint.
76 . The method according to claim 71 , wherein the releasing member assumes a compressed state in response to said strain.
77 . The method according to claim 71 , wherein the releasing member comprises an elastic portion being at least partly formed of an elastic material.
78 . The method according to claim 71 , wherein the releasing member comprises a movable element.
79 . The method according to claim 71 , wherein the releasing member comprises a bendable portion and/or flexible portion and/or compressible portion and/or movable portion.
80 . The method according to claim 71 , wherein the releasing member comprises a first and a second element wherein at least one of the first and the second element moves in relation to the other element so as to allow the caput femur or artificial caput femur to be released from the prosthetic acetabulum when a pre-determined strain is placed on said releasing member.
81 . The method according to claim 80 , wherein at least one of the first and second element are spring loaded to assist the movement of at least one of the first and second element.
82 . The method according to claim 80 , wherein at least one of the first and second elements are flexible.
83 . The method according to claim 80 , wherein the first and second element at least partly forms a spherical portion.