US5100405A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Locking cap for medical implants
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1990-09-07
•
Granted: 1992-03-31
•
Expires: 2010-09-07
Abstract
Abstract A locking cap for anchoring an implanted medical device within a bone (such as an intramedullary fixation rod) has a cylindrical, helically threaded body, a socket concentrically disposed in one end, and an interface for cooperating with a driving tool, such as a wrench or screwdriver. Once a device such as an intramedullary fixation rod has been implanted within a bone, the locking cap is implanted by being threaded into the bone with a driving tool, its socket engaging the near end of the device. The socket of the locking cap can be smooth, or it can be threaded so as to thread onto the near end of the device as the cap is threaded into the bone. If threaded, the pitch of the cap's outer threads can exceed the pitch of the inner threads so that the cap advances into the bone more quickly than it advances onto the end of the device. Alternatively, the inner thread pitch can exceed, or equal, the outer thread pitch so that the cap advances into the bone more slowly than, or at the same rate as, it advances onto the end of the device, respectively.
Inventors
- 👤 Alexander C. McLaren
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 05:33
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/68; A61B17/72; A61B17/7233; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/28; A61F2/2846; A61B17/685; A61B17/7283; A61B17/84; A61B17/86; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S606/00; Y10S606/907; Y10S606/908
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 47
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
A locking cap for driving into a bone to lock an implanted medical device within a bone by engaging a proximal end of said device and fastening said cap to a bone, comprising: an elongate cylindrical member having helical outer threads about its cylindrical periphery, a driving end and a longitudinally opposed driven end, said outer threads having an outer thread pitch; an elongate cylindrical socket for receiving said proximal end of said medical device, said socket being concentrically disposed within said cylindrical member driven end and said socket having an inner diameter which is sufficient to allow engagement of said proximal end of said medical device; and driving means forming an integral part of and disposed at said cylindrical member driving end for driving said locking cap into said bone.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
A locking cap for driving into a bone to lock an implanted medical device within a bone by engaging a proximal end of said device and fastening said cap to a bone, comprising: an elongate cylindrical member having helical outer threads about its cylindrical periphery, a driving end and a longitudinally opposed driven end, said outer threads having an outer thread pitch; an elongate cylindrical socket for receiving said proximal end of said medical device, said socket being concentrically disposed within said cylindrical member driven end and said socket having an inner diameter which is sufficient to allow engagement of said proximal end of said medical device; and driving means forming an integral part of and disposed at said cylindrical member driving end for driving said locking cap into said bone.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A locking cap as recited in claim 1, wherein said socket has helical inner threads with an inner thread pitch on its inner surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A locking cap as recited in claim 2, wherein said cylindrical member outer thread pitch and said socket inner thread pitch are like-handed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A locking cap as recited in claim 2, wherein said cylindrical member outer thread pitch and said socket inner thread pitch are opposite-handed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A locking cap as recited in claim 2, wherein said cylindrical member outer thread pitch is greater than said socket inner thread pitch.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A locking cap as recited in claim 5, wherein a ratio of said cylindrical member outer thread pitch to said socket inner thread pitch is at least 2:1.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A locking cap as recited in claim 2, wherein said cylindrical member outer thread pitch is less than said socket inner thread pitch.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A locking cap as recited in claim 1, wherein said outer threads have leading and trailing edge with cutting flutes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
A locking cap as recited in claim 1 further comprising a hole disposed within said cylindrical member driving end and said hole connecting to said socket, whereby said hole provides access to said socket for a set screw to engage said proximal end of said medical device.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A locking cap as recited in claim 1, wherein said driving means comprises a tool interface for cooperatively engaging a driving tool.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
A locking cap as recited in claim 10, wherein said tool interface comprises a hexagonal socket for receiving a hexagonal wrench tip.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
A locking cap as recited in claim 1, wherein said cylindrical member has an outer diameter substantially within the range of 1.25-25 mm, and said cylindrical socket inner diameter is substantially within the range of 1-24.5 mm.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
A locking cap as recited in claim 1, wherein said locking cap is substantially fabricated from a physiologically compatible material selected from the group consisting of cobalt chrome, titanium, stainless steel, ceramic materials, resorbable materials, and composite materials.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
59 words
A locking cap as recited in claim 1 further comprising an elongate cylindrical shaft connecting said cylindrical member driving end to said socket within said cylindrical member driven end, said shaft being concentrically disposed within said cylindrical member and said shaft having an inner diameter which is sufficient to allow passage of said proximal end of said medical device.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
A locking cap as recited in claim 14, wherein said socket has helical inner threads with an inner thread pitch on its inner surface.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
A locking cap as recited in claim 15, wherein said cylindrical member outer thread pitch and said socket inner thread pitch are like-handed.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
A locking cap as recited in claim 15, wherein said cylindrical member outer thread pitch and said socket inner thread pitch are opposite-handed.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
A locking cap as recited in claim 15, wherein said cylindrical member outer thread pitch is greater than said socket inner thread pitch.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
A locking cap as recited in claim 18, wherein a ratio of said cylindrical member outer thread pitch to said socket inner thread pitch is at least 2:1.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
A locking cap as recited in claim 15, wherein said cylindrical member outer thread pitch is less than said socket inner thread pitch.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
A locking cap as recited in claim 14, wherein said driving means comprises a tool interface for cooperatively engaging a driving tool.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
A locking cap as recited in claim 21, wherein said tool interface comprises a peripheral surface for receiving a wrench.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
37 words
A locking cap as recited in claim 14, wherein said cylindrical member has an outer diameter substantially within the range of 1.25-25 mm, and said cylindrical socket inner diameter is substantially within the range of 1-24.5 mm.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
38 words
A locking cap as recited in claim 14, wherein said locking cap is substantially fabricated from a physiologically compatible material selected from the group consisting of cobalt chrome, titanium, stainless steel, ceramic materials, resorbable materials, and composite materials.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
149 words
An osteal implant for anchoring an implanted medical device within a bone by engaging a proximal end of said device and fastening said implant to a bone, comprising: an elongate cylindrical member having helical outer threads about its cylindrical periphery, a driving end and a driven end, said outer threads having an outer thread pitch; an elongate cylindrical threaded socket for receiving said proximal end of said medical device, said socket being concentrically disposed within said cylindrical member driven end and said socket having an inner diameter which is sufficient to allow engagement of said proximal end of said medical device, and wherein said cylindrical member outer thread pitch and said socket inner thread pitch are like-handed, and said cylindrical member outer thread pitch is greater than said socket inner thread pitch; and driving means disposed at said cylindrical member driving end for driving said implant into said bone.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
149 words
An osteal implant for anchoring an implanted medical device within a bone by engaging a proximal end of said device and fastening said implant to a bone, comprising: an elongate cylindrical member having helical outer threads about its cylindrical periphery, a driving end and a driven end, said outer threads having an outer thread pitch; an elongate cylindrical threaded socket for receiving said proximal end of said medical device, said socket being concentrically disposed within said cylindrical member driven end and said socket having an inner diameter which is sufficient to allow engagement of said proximal end of said medical device, and wherein said cylindrical member outer thread pitch and said socket inner thread pitch are like-handed, and said cylindrical member outer thread pitch is greater than said socket inner thread pitch; and driving means disposed at said cylindrical member driving end for driving said implant into said bone.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
27 words
An implant as recited in claim 25, wherein a ratio of said cylindrical member outer thread pitch to said socket inner thread pitch is at least 2:1.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
21 words
An implant as recited in claim 25, wherein said cylindrical member outer threads have leading and trailing ends with cutting flutes.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
21 words
An implant as recited in claim 25, wherein said driving means comprises a tool interface for cooperatively engaging a driving tool.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
21 words
An implant as recited in claim 28, wherein said tool interface comprises a hexagonal socket for receiving a hexagonal wrench tip.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
36 words
An implant as recited in claim 25, wherein said cylindrical member has an outer diameter substantially within the range of 1.25-25 mm, and said cylindrical socket inner diameter is substantially within the range of 1-24.5 mm.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
36 words
An implant as recited in claim 25, wherein said implant is substantially fabricated from a physiologically compatible material selected from the group consisting of cobalt chrome, titanium, stainless steel, ceramic materials, resorbable materials, and composite materials.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
58 words
An implant as recited in claim 25 further comprising an elongate cylindrical shaft connecting said cylindrical member driving end to said socket within said cylindrical member driven end, said shaft being concentrically disposed within said cylindrical member and said shaft having an inner diameter which is sufficient to allow passage of said proximal end of said medical device.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
27 words
An implant as recited in claim 32, wherein a ratio of said cylindrical member outer thread pitch to said socket inner thread pitch is at least 2:1.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
21 words
An implant as recited in claim 32, wherein said cylindrical member outer threads have leading and trailing ends with cutting flutes.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
22 words
A locking cap as recited in claim 32, wherein said driving means comprises a tool interface for cooperatively engaging a driving tool.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
20 words
A locking cap as recited in claim 35, wherein said tool interface comprises a peripheral surface for receiving a wrench.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
36 words
An implant as recited in claim 32, wherein said cylindrical member has an outer diameter substantially within the range of 1.25-25 mm, and said cylindrical socket inner diameter is substantially within the range of 1-24.5 mm.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
36 words
An implant as recited in claim 32, wherein said implant is substantially fabricated from a physiologically compatible material selected from the group consisting of cobalt chrome, titanium, stainless steel, ceramic materials, resorbable materials, and composite materials.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
163 words
An osteal implant for anchoring an implanted medical device within a bone by engaging a proximal end of said device and fastening said implant to a bone, comprising: an elongate cylindrical member having helical outer threads about its. cylindrical periphery, a driving end and a longitudinally opposed driven end, said outer threads having an outer thread pitch; an elongate cylindrical threaded socket for receiving said proximal end of said medical device, said socket being concentrically disposed within said cylindrical member driven end and said socket having an inner diameter which is sufficient to allow engagement of said proximal end of said medical device; a hole disposed within said cylindrical member driving end and said hole connecting to said socket, whereby said hole provides access to said socket for a set screw to engage said proximal end of said medical device; and driving means forming an integral part of and disposed at said cylindrical member driving end for driving said implant into said bone.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
163 words
An osteal implant for anchoring an implanted medical device within a bone by engaging a proximal end of said device and fastening said implant to a bone, comprising: an elongate cylindrical member having helical outer threads about its. cylindrical periphery, a driving end and a longitudinally opposed driven end, said outer threads having an outer thread pitch; an elongate cylindrical threaded socket for receiving said proximal end of said medical device, said socket being concentrically disposed within said cylindrical member driven end and said socket having an inner diameter which is sufficient to allow engagement of said proximal end of said medical device; a hole disposed within said cylindrical member driving end and said hole connecting to said socket, whereby said hole provides access to said socket for a set screw to engage said proximal end of said medical device; and driving means forming an integral part of and disposed at said cylindrical member driving end for driving said implant into said bone.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
21 words
An implant as recited in claim 39, wherein said cylindrical member outer threads have leading and trailing ends with cutting flutes.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
21 words
An implant as recited in claim 39, wherein said driving means comprises a tool interface for cooperatively engaging a driving tool.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
21 words
An implant as recited in claim 41, wherein said tool interface comprises a hexagonal socket for receiving a hexagonal wrench tip.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
36 words
An implant as recited in claim 39, wherein said cylindrical member has an outer diameter substantially within the range of 1.25-25 mm, and said cylindrical socket inner diameter is substantially within the range of 1-24.5 mm.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
36 words
An implant as recited in claim 39, wherein said implant is substantially fabricated from a physiologically compatible material selected from the group consisting of cobalt chrome, titanium, stainless steel, ceramic materials, resorbable materials, and composite materials.
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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) | 1995-03-31 | 1995-09-30 | 1996-03-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-03-31 | 1999-09-30 | 2000-03-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-03-31 | 2003-09-30 | 2004-03-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |