US3739773A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Polyglycolic acid prosthetic devices
Assignee: Wyeth Holdings LLC
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Filing: 1971-06-28
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Granted: 1973-06-19
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Expires: 1991-06-28
Abstract
Abstract Polyhydroxyacetic ester, also called polyglycolic acid (PGA), has surgically useful mechanical properties as a solid prosthesis, such as reinforcing pins, screws, plates, or thin sheets. On implantation, in living mammalian tissue, the polyglycolic acid is absorbed, and replaced by living tissue. The polyglycolic acid as a gauze, felt or velour protects a wound surface, such as a burn, traumatic injury, or surgical incision, and may be left at least partially embedded, as in a scab, with the part below the healed tissue surface being absorbed, and that above the tissue surface dropping off with the scab, or be completely embedded.
Inventors
- 👤 E Schmitt
- 👤 R Polistina
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 16:22
CPC Classifications
D; D01; D01F; D01F6/00; D01F6/58; D01F6/62; D01F6/625; A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/11; A61L; A61L17/00; A61L17/14; A61L31/00; A61L31/04; A61L31/06; C; C08; C08G; C08G63/00; C08G63/02; C08G63/06; C08G63/08; A61B2017/00004; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S128/00; Y10S128/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
71 words
A bone reinforcing plate of polyglycolic acid having high flexural strength and modulus, and a physical size of at least 1/16 inch by 1/4 inch by 1 inch, and shaped to conform generally to the surface configuration of a bone, said plate having holes therein adapted to receive fasteners to hold the plate in adjacent reinforcing configuration to living bone, during a healing process, and later be absorbed by living tissue.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
33 words
A bone reinforcing assembly comprising the bone plate of claim 2, and a headed threaded bone screw adapted to tightly hold a fractured bone in a desired configuration during a natural healing process.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
A headed threaded bone screw of solid polyglycolic acid, shaped to be threaded into and received by a living bone structure, to posiTion and reinforce living bone structure during a healing process and which screw is later absorbed by living tissue.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
A headed bone nail of solid polyglycolic acid shaped to be driven into and be received by a living bone structure, to give physical restraint to position and reinforce a living bone initially, and later be absorbed by living tissue.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-06-18 | 1976-12-18 | 1977-06-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-18 | 1980-12-18 | 1981-06-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-18 | 1984-12-18 | 1985-06-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |