Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
Method for correcting the shape of a spinal column, whereby a rod is attached to the vertebrae in the longitudinal direction of the spinal column, at the rear thereof, across the part which is to be corrected, which consists of a material with a shape memory, with an appurtaining transition temperature which is lower than the body temperature, which is bent and possibly twisted, corresponding with the curve or, respectively, the torsion of the spinal column, at a temperature which is lower than the transition temperature of the rod, characterized in that the rod has a perpendicular cross- section with a linear size in one direction thereof which is at least so large, that above the transition temperature the force with which the rod wants to assume its original shape is a constant force.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
134 words
Method for correcting the shape of a spinal column, whereby a rod is attached to the vertebrae in the longitudinal direction of the spinal column, at the rear thereof, across the part which is to be corrected, which consists of a material with a shape memory, with an appurtaining transition temperature which is lower than the body temperature, which is bent and possibly twisted, corresponding with the curve or, respectively, the torsion of the spinal column, at a temperature which is lower than the transition temperature of the rod, characterized in that the rod has a perpendicular cross- section with a linear size in one direction thereof which is at least so large, that above the transition temperature the force with which the rod wants to assume its original shape is a constant force.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the composition and the sizes of the rod and therewith the value of the transition temperature and the size of the force which arises are chosen in such a manner, that they are set to the requirements which are set therefor in a specific case.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
Method according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the rod consists of an alloy of Ti and Ni in the atomic ratio of approximately 1:1.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
Method according to claims 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the linear size in the cross-section of the rod is about 5 mm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
70 words
Set consisting of one or more rods with appurtaining attachment elements for the implementation of the method according to claims 1, 2, 3 or 4, of which the rods fit in a translation free and rotation free manner into corresponding grooves running in the longitudinal direction of the attachment elements characterized in that the rods have rectangular cross- sections, with which they fit into rectangular grooves in the attachment elements.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
Set consisting of one or more rods with appurtaining attachment elements for the implementation of the method according to claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 and if applicable claim 5, characterized in that the attachment elements are equipped with means to fix the attachment of the rod therein.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
Set according to claim 6, characterized in that a rod is attached in an attachment element with a snap lock.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
Set according to claim 6, characterized in that the attachment elements are equipped with small covers with which a rod is locked into a groove.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
Set according to one of the claims 5-8, characterized in that the attachment elements contain arms which extend approximately perpendicularly to the axial direction of the spinal column around the vertebra and are attached to the vertebra at their other end.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
10 words
Rod as referred to in one of the preceding claims.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
11 words
Attachment element, as referred to in one of the preceding claims.