Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
58 words
A surgical element having a multiplicity of flexible filaments of at least one standard implantable grade material held together in array, characterised in that these filaments constitute a core (11), and in that braided sheathing (12) is provided over at least one portion of the core and consists of filaments of at least one standard implantable grade material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
58 words
A surgical element having a multiplicity of flexible filaments of at least one standard implantable grade material held together in array, characterised in that these filaments constitute a core (11), and in that braided sheathing (12) is provided over at least one portion of the core and consists of filaments of at least one standard implantable grade material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A surgical element as in Claim 1, characterised in that the material of the core (11) and/or sheathing (12) is biologically degradable or absorbable.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A surgical element as in Claim 1, characterised in that the core filaments (11) are formed of bioreactive material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
A surgical element as in any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the sheathing filaments (12) extend in more open weave over an intermediate portion (15) of the core (11), to encourage penetration of healing tissue into that portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
A surgical element as in any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the sheathing filaments (12) are not braided over at least one intermediate portion of the core (11), to form at least one "window" (16) in the sheathing for encouraging penetration and ingrowth of healing tissue between the core filaments.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
A surgical element as in Claim 5, characterised in that the sheathing filaments (12) extend across the "window" (16) in generally parallel arrangement to unite the braiding at the ends of the "window".
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
A surgical element as in any one of Claims 4 to 6, characterised in that the tensions in the sheathing filaments (12) are such that they are "prestressed" relative to the core filaments (11), whereby the core filaments will not normally be in tension.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A surgical element as in any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the sheathing (12)is completely omitted over an intermediate portion (21) of the core (11).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A surgical element as in any one of Claims 1 to 8, characterised in that some end filaments (12) are formed into an eye (18) by looping.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
A surgical element as in any one of Claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the core filaments (12) are divided into "trunks" (22) each of which has its own braided sheathing (12).
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
A surgical element as in any one of Claims 1 to 10, characterised in that braided sheathing (12) at one end extends appreciably beyond the ends of the core filaments (11), to form a highly flexible non-cored "tail" (13).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
A surgical element as in Claim 11, characterised in that the "tail" (13) is provided with a plastics sleeve (14) to aid insertion.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
A surgical element as in any one of Claims 1 to 12, wherein the core filaments are carbon fibres.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
A surgical element as in any one of Claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the core filaments (11) are formed of at least one standard implantable grade polymer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
49 words
A surgical element as in any one of Claims 1 to 14, characterised in that a bioabsorbable and biocompatible coating is applied to protect the filaments (11,12) during surgical implantation and to act as a lubricant to ease its passage through the bone and tissue during the operative procedure.