US3786806A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thermoconstrictive surgical appliance
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1972-11-22
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Granted: 1974-01-22
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Expires: 1992-11-22
Abstract
Abstract The application of a plate of thermoconstrictive material for extra-medullary fixation of fractured bones is described. The plate, consisting of a nickel-titanium alloy, is subjected to deformation by a tensile stress below its critical transition temperature. Upon securing the plate over the fracture, heat is applied at or above the transition temperature thereof so as to return it to its original state, thereby drawing the fractured bone ends together.
Inventors
- 👤 A Johnson
- 👤 F Alicandri
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 19:26
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61L; A61L31/00; A61L31/02; A61L31/022; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/68; A61B17/80; A61B17/8004; A61B2017/00831; A61B2017/00867; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30003; A61F2002/3006; A61F2002/30092; A61F2210/00; A61F2210/0014; A61F2210/0019; F; F16; F16B; F16B2200/00; F16B2200/77
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
a plate which is a. shaped to conform to the exterior of the fractured bone in a manner overlapping the fracture, b. formed of an alloy which exhibits a martensitic transformation at a temperature in the range tolerable by the human body, and c. plastically deformed in the direction of an imaginary line connecting said attachment means by a predetermined amount sufficient to draw the juxtaposed ends of the fractured bone into forceful contact when the plastic deformation is removed by means of martensitic transformation, whereby the juxtaposed ends of the fractured bone may be forcefully compressed by raising the temperature of said plate to a temperature at which the alloy of which it is formed exhibits a martensitic transformation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
17 words
A surgical appliance as claimed in claim 1 wherein said plate is formed of a nickel-titanium alloy.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
said means for attaching said plate to the fractured bone comprises retaining screws passed through the transverse bores in said plate and into the bone.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
placing the juxtaposed ends of the fractured bone in abutting relationship;
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
attaching said plate over the fracture to both bone portions; and
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A surgical appliance as claimed in claim 2 wherein the alloy of which said plate is formed also contains a small amount of cobalt.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
9 words
A surgical appliance as claimed in claim 1 wherein:
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
applying an amount of heat to said plate sufficient to cause the martensitic transformation of the alloy of which it is formed, thereby causing constriction of said plate and the compression of the juxtaposed ends of the fractured bone.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
A surgical appliance as claimed in claim 4 wherein the plastic deformation of said plate is confined to the region between the transverse holes at either end thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
A surgical appliance as claimed in claim 1 wherein the plastic deformation of said plate is confined to the region between said means for attaching said plate to the fractured bone on either side of the fracture.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
18 words
The method of applying compression between the juxtaposed ends of a fractured bone which comprises the steps of:
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) | 1977-01-21 | 1977-07-23 | 1978-01-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-21 | 1981-07-23 | 1982-01-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-21 | 1985-07-23 | 1986-01-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |