US4773406A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bone fracture fixation plates
Assignee: Ed Geistlich Soehne AG fuer Chemische Industrie
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Filing: 1987-07-02
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Granted: 1988-09-27
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Expires: 2007-07-02
Abstract
Abstract A bone fracture fixation device for fixation to a fractured bone is substantially free from resorbable materials and materials which soften on exposure to body fluids, and undergoes a gradual decrease in rigidity over the healing period of the fracture.
Inventors
- 👤 Myron Spector
- 👤 John D. Muzzy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 03:18
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/68; A61B17/80; A61L; A61L31/00; A61L31/12; A61L31/125; A61L2430/00; A61L2430/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
51 words
A bone fracture fixation device, comprising a fixation member for fixation to a fractured bone, which fixation member undergoes a gradual decrease in rigidity over the fracture healing period, said fixation member being substantially free from resorbable materials and being substantially free from materials which soften on exposure to body fluids.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
51 words
A bone fracture fixation device, comprising a fixation member for fixation to a fractured bone, which fixation member undergoes a gradual decrease in rigidity over the fracture healing period, said fixation member being substantially free from resorbable materials and being substantially free from materials which soften on exposure to body fluids.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device as claimed in claim 1 composed of high strength fibre reinforced polymers containing no coupling agent between the fibres and the polymer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
A device as claimed in claim 1 comprising at least two laminae bonded together by an intermittent interlaminar bond, said intermittent interlaminar bond comprising melted particles of a thermoplastic resin, so that repeated loading results in progressive failure of the interlaminar bond.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device as claimed in claim 1 comprising at least two laminae in which the laminae are bonded by a cyanoacrylate adhesive.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A device as claimed in claim 3 or 4 which is capable of a gradual decrease in axial rigidity over the fracture healing period while its bending rigidity is not substantially reduced.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
A device as claimed in claim 1 which is a fracture fixation plate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the polymer is polysulphone, the reinforcing fibres are carbon fibres and there is no coupling agent between the fibres and the polymer.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
65 words
A method of fixation of a bone fracture which comprises securing to the bone at points spanning said fracture a bone fracture fixation device which is substantially free from resorbable materials and materials which soften on exposure to body fluids, said device comprising a fixation member for fixation to a fractured bone, which fixation member undergoes a gradual decrease in rigidity over the fracture period.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
65 words
A method of fixation of a bone fracture which comprises securing to the bone at points spanning said fracture a bone fracture fixation device which is substantially free from resorbable materials and materials which soften on exposure to body fluids, said device comprising a fixation member for fixation to a fractured bone, which fixation member undergoes a gradual decrease in rigidity over the fracture period.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein said bone fracture fixation device is composed of high strength fibre reinforced polymers containing no coupling agent between the fibres and the polymer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the polymer is polysulphone, the reinforcing fibres are carbon fibres and there is no coupling agent between the fibres and the polymer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the bone fracture fixation device comprises at least two laminae bonded together by an intermittent interlaminar bond, said intermittent interlaminar bond comprising melted particles of a thermoplastic resin, so that repeated loading results in progressive failure of the interlaminar bond.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the bone fracture fixation device comprises at least two laminae in which the laminae are bonded by a cyanoacrylate adhesive.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the bone fracture fixation device is a fracture fixation plate.
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) | 1991-09-27 | 1992-03-28 | 1992-09-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-09-27 | 1996-03-28 | 1996-09-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-09-27 | 2000-03-28 | 2000-09-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |