US3763855A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for fixation of bone fractures
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1972-03-15
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Granted: 1973-10-09
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Expires: 1992-03-15
Abstract
Abstract A medical assembly is provided for the positive fixation of fractures of the ulna, one of the forearm bones, in cases where it is broken at or near the elbow joint. One element of the assembly is secured to the distal (remote from the body) part of the ulna, and another threaded element is independently tightened up to impact the bone fragments. The first element may be a metal element or unit inserted from the side through the cortex, or hard outer part of the forearm bone, below the break. This metal element, referred to as the cortical fixation unit, extends into the soft center channel of the bone and has a transverse threaded hole near its end, opening to the center channel of the bone. The other element may be a flexible bolt or pin formed of a threaded stiff wire about six inches long having a bolt head at one end, and will be referred to as a ''''pin'''' in the present specification. This flexible bolt or pin is pushed through a drilled hole in the elbow fragment of the bone, down the bone channel and engaged with the threaded hole at the end of the cortical fixation unit. By tightening up the bolt head on the flexible bolt or pin, the elbow fragment is positively set in its proper position in engagement with the remaining distal portion of the ulna.
Inventors
- 👤 Atee R Mc
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 11:26
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/68; A61B17/72
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
176 words
An assembly for the fixation and impaction of a bone fragment relative to the main part of a fractured bone comprising: a first structurally rigid unitary member of biologically inactive material including means for engagement with and prevention of longitudinal movement of said first member relative to the main part of the broken bone, said first member also being provided with means engaging another member of the assembly; means including a second structurally rigid unitary member of biologically inactive material, for entering locking engagement with said first engaging means upon relative movement of said members, and for applying force to a bone surface of the bone fragment to firmly and positively impact the fractured bone surfaces; and both said first and second members having enlarged portions for bearing on the exterior surface of the bone at one of their respective ends and having mutually locking engagement means of reduced size near their other ends, whereby the two members can be manipulated from outside of the bone into direct locking engagement with each other within the bone.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
176 words
An assembly for the fixation and impaction of a bone fragment relative to the main part of a fractured bone comprising: a first structurally rigid unitary member of biologically inactive material including means for engagement with and prevention of longitudinal movement of said first member relative to the main part of the broken bone, said first member also being provided with means engaging another member of the assembly; means including a second structurally rigid unitary member of biologically inactive material, for entering locking engagement with said first engaging means upon relative movement of said members, and for applying force to a bone surface of the bone fragment to firmly and positively impact the fractured bone surfaces; and both said first and second members having enlarged portions for bearing on the exterior surface of the bone at one of their respective ends and having mutually locking engagement means of reduced size near their other ends, whereby the two members can be manipulated from outside of the bone into direct locking engagement with each other within the bone.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
122 words
A bone fixation assembly primarily for fractures of the upper ulna comprising: a first member of biologically inactive material including means for engagement with and prevention of longitudinal movement relative to the distal portion of the ulna, said first member being provided with a first set of thReads; means including a second member of biologically inactive material having threads engaging said first set of threads, for applying force to the upper end of the bone surface of the olecranon to firmly and positively impact the fractured bone surfaces; and said first member being a cortical fixation unit having a head bearing on the outer surface of the bone and a hole engaging the second member within the medullary canal of the bone.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
122 words
A bone fixation assembly primarily for fractures of the upper ulna comprising: a first member of biologically inactive material including means for engagement with and prevention of longitudinal movement relative to the distal portion of the ulna, said first member being provided with a first set of thReads; means including a second member of biologically inactive material having threads engaging said first set of threads, for applying force to the upper end of the bone surface of the olecranon to firmly and positively impact the fractured bone surfaces; and said first member being a cortical fixation unit having a head bearing on the outer surface of the bone and a hole engaging the second member within the medullary canal of the bone.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
A bone fixation assembly as defined in claim 2, wherein said first member is a short cortical fixation unit having a head for bearing on the outer surface of the ulna at one end, and a threaded hole near its other end.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
A bone fixation assembly as defined in claim 3 wherein the second member is an elongated flexible medullary pin having external threads matching the internal threads of said threaded hole at one end, and a head at its other end.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
A bone fixation assembly as defined in claim 4 wherein said pin has a rounded end of reduced cross-section less than the internal diameter of the threaded hole for starting threaded engagement with said cortical fixation unit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
A bone fixation assembly as defined in claim 3 wherein the head of the cortical fixation unit is asymmetric and indicates the orientation of said threaded hole.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
A bone fixation assembly as defined in claim 6 wherein the head of said cortical fixation unit has two flat sides for engagement by a holding device and for designating the orientation of said threaded hole.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
A bone fixation assembly as defined in claim 4 wherein said assembly further includes a washer of biologically inactive material on said pin adjacent the head of said pin to transmit force to the olecranon along the axis of said pin as said pin is tightened up.
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) | 1976-10-08 | 1977-04-09 | 1977-10-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-08 | 1981-04-09 | 1981-10-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-08 | 1985-04-09 | 1985-10-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |