Patent US4446578A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4446578A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Joint treatment
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1982-03-08
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Granted: 1984-05-08
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Expires: 2002-03-08
Abstract
Abstract Polymer pads are inserted between the bones of an arthritic or damaged body joint in order to better cushion the joint bones, thus relieving pain and improving function. It is preferred to introduce the pad by injecting a liquid that cures within the joint, while traction is applied to the joint bones. Silicones or tanned proteins are useful, and may contain radiopaque additives to enable radiographic inspection during injection and/or after the pad insertion is completed.
Inventors
- 👤 Ezra C. Perkins
- 👤 Ronald G. Connolly
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 10:19
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61L; A61L27/00; A61L27/14; A61L27/22; A61L27/222; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/30756; A61L27/18; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/00234; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30003; A61F2002/3006; A61F2002/3008; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30535; A61F2002/30581; A61F2002/30583; A61F2/46; A61F2002/4635; A61F2210/00; A61F2210/0085; A61F2250/00; A61F2250/0058; A61F2250/0096; A61F2250/0098; A61F2310/00; A61F2310/00005; A61F2310/00365; A61F2310/00383; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S128/00; Y10S128/21
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
35 words
The treatment of a bone joint having defective cartilage between the bone ends, which treatment is characterized by the insertion between the bone ends of a cushioning gel of hardened gelatin compatible with the joint.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
35 words
The treatment of a bone joint having defective cartilage between the bone ends, which treatment is characterized by the insertion between the bone ends of a cushioning gel of hardened gelatin compatible with the joint.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The treatment of a bone joint having defective cartilage between the bone ends, which treatment is characterized by the injecting into the joint without surgery, a liquid that is subsequently converted into a cushioning pad between the bone ends.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The treatment of a bone joint having defective cartilage between the bone ends, which treatment is characterized by the injecting into the joint without surgery, a liquid that is subsequently converted into a cushioning pad between the bone ends.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The treatment of claim 2 in which the liquid injected is radiopaque and the injecting is fluoroscopically monitored.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
The treatment of claim 2 in which the bone joint is an encapsulated joint and the injecting is effected while the bone ends are separated from each other, and the bone ends are kept separated until the liquid is converted to the pad.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The treatment of claim 1 in which the cushioning pad is a hardened polymeric gel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The treatment of claim 5 in which the hardened polymeric gel is a silicone.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The treatment of claim 5 in which the hardened polymeric gel is a gel of hardened gelatin.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-05-08 | 1987-11-07 | 1988-05-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-05-08 | 1991-11-07 | 1992-05-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-05-08 | 1995-11-07 | 1996-05-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |