Method and apparatus for securing a prosthesis to the human body

DETAILED DESCRIPTION What is claimed is: 1.
A system for securing a prosthesis to the human body, comprising a device positioned within a pouch of human skin disposed beneath the outer surface of the skin in the securement region, said pouch isolating said device from the subcutaneous region of the body, said device comprising a base having inner and outer faces, a post on the outer face of said base adapted to extend to the surface of the skin in the securement region, said post having a cross sectional area less than the area of said base, said post having opening means extending therethrough to the inner face of said base to permit irrigation of the pouch containing said device through said opening means, the arrangement permitting irrigation fluid to flow from said opening means beneath the base of said device throughout the pouch and exit the pouch along said post, the skin of said pouch preventing the irrigation fluid from contacting the subcutaneous region of the body, and means for attaching the prosthesis to said post.
2.
The securing device of claim 1 wherein said post has at least one longitudinal ridge on the outer surface thereof to reduce the tendency of the skin in said pouch to seal against the post.
3.
The securing device of claim 1 wherein said base has a ridge on the outer face thereof to reduce the tendency of the skin in said pouch to seal against the base.
4.
The securing device of claim 1 wherein there is at least one ridge extending longitudinally along the outer surface of said post and across the outer face of said base to reduce the tendency of the skin in the pouch to seal against the device.
5.
The securing device of claim 1 wherein said base has a plurality of irrigation channels formed in the inner surface thereof.
6.
The securing device of claim 5 wherein said irrigation channels radiate outwardly from said opening means.
7.
The securing device of claim 6 wherein at least one of said irrigation channels communicates with an opening in said base extending from the inner surface of the base