US4595713A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Medical putty for tissue augmentation
Assignee: Hexcel Corp
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Filing: 1985-01-22
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Granted: 1986-06-17
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Expires: 2005-01-22
Abstract
Abstract A medical implant useful in the regeneration of soft and hard connective tissue, such as cartilage and bone, is disclosed which comprises a copolymer of a major amount of epsilon caprolactone and a minor amount of lactide. Where regeneration of bone tissue, in particular, is desired, the copolymer may further include osteogenic material in powdered or particulate form. If soft tissue regeneration is desired, the copolymer may include chopped carbon fiber. A mass of the copolymer, optionally including additives, may be molded by hand by heating the polymer to a temperature of 115°-160° F., by, for example, immersion in hot water. The mass is then molded to the void to be filled or shape the regenerated tissue is desired to assume, and implanted in the patient. The mass is gradually replaced by regenerated tissue.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth St. John
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 18:35
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61L; A61L27/00; A61L27/14; A61L27/18; A61L27/36; A61L27/3604; A61L27/3608; A61L27/3641; A61L27/3645; A61L27/40; A61L27/44; A61L27/46
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
A medical implant for the promotion of the regeneration of connective tissue, comprising: a shaped mass comprising a copolymer of epsilon caprolactone and lactide, said epsilon caprolactone being present in a major amount, further comprising an amount of osteogenic material effective to augment regeneration of soft or hard connective tissue incorporated in said mass, said shaped mass being moldable under mild pressure when heated to a temperature of about 115°-160° F., but resistant to permanent deformation under applied pressure at temperatures below about 110° F.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
85 words
A medical implant for the promotion of the regeneration of connective tissue, comprising: a shaped mass comprising a copolymer of epsilon caprolactone and lactide, said epsilon caprolactone being present in a major amount, further comprising an amount of osteogenic material effective to augment regeneration of soft or hard connective tissue incorporated in said mass, said shaped mass being moldable under mild pressure when heated to a temperature of about 115°-160° F., but resistant to permanent deformation under applied pressure at temperatures below about 110° F.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The medical implant of claim 1, wherein said epsilon caprolactone is present in a range of 60-95% by weight of the copolymer, and lactide is present in an amount of 40-5% by weight of the copolymer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The medical implant of claim 1, wherein said epsilon caprolactone is present at about 75% by weight of the copolymer and said lactide is present at about 25% by weight of said copolymer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The medical implant of claim 1, wherein said osteogenic material is present in an amount of up to 50% by weight of said copolymer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The medical implant of claim 1, wherein said osteogenic material is in the form of particulate or powdered material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The medical implant of claim 1, wherein said osteogenic material is selected from the group consisting of B-tricalcium phosphate, hydroxyapetite, alumino-calcium-phosphorous oxide, allograft bone chips, autogenous bone chips and demineralized bone.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The medical implant of claim 1, wherein said implant further comprises chopped carhon fiber incorporated in said shaped mass.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
97 words
A method of promoting regeneration of soft or hard connective tissue in an animal, comprising: heating a mass of a copolymer comprising epsilon caprolactone in a major amount and lactide to a temperature of 115°-160° F. such that said mass becomes moldable, said mass further incorporating an amount of osteogenic material effective to augment connective tissue regeneration, molding said mass to the shape the tissue to be regenerated is desired to assume, implanting said molded mass in said animal in the area where said regeneration is desired, and allowing said mass to be replaced by regenerated tissue.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
97 words
A method of promoting regeneration of soft or hard connective tissue in an animal, comprising: heating a mass of a copolymer comprising epsilon caprolactone in a major amount and lactide to a temperature of 115°-160° F. such that said mass becomes moldable, said mass further incorporating an amount of osteogenic material effective to augment connective tissue regeneration, molding said mass to the shape the tissue to be regenerated is desired to assume, implanting said molded mass in said animal in the area where said regeneration is desired, and allowing said mass to be replaced by regenerated tissue.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 8, wherein said epsilon caprolactone is present in a range of 60-95% by weight of the copolymer, and lactide is present in a range of 40-5% by weight of the copolymer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 8, wherein said epsilon caprolactone is present at about 75% by weight of the copolymer and lactide is present at about 25% by weight of the copolymer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 8, wherein said osteogenic material is present in an amount up to 50% by weight of the polymeric mass.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 8, wherein said osteogenic material is in the form of particulate or powdered material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 8, wherein said osteogenic material is selected from the group consisting of B-tricalcium phosphate, hydroxyapetite, alumino-calcium-phosphorous oxide, allograft bone chips, autogenous bone chips and demineralized bone.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 8, wherein said polymeric mass further comprises chopped carbon fibers incorporated therein.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 8, wherein said heating is achieved by immersion of said mass in hot water.
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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) | 1989-06-16 | 1989-12-16 | 1990-06-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-06-16 | 1993-12-16 | 1994-06-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-06-16 | 1997-12-16 | 1998-06-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |