US5129898A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Prosthesis for reducing and locking limb bone fractures
Assignee: Magna Closures SpA
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Filing: 1990-06-08
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Granted: 1992-07-14
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Expires: 2010-06-08
Abstract
Abstract A prosthesis comprising two tubular brackets connected in sliding manner and securable by means of pins to the ends of the fractured bone. The two brackets are connected by means of a flexible cable the ends of which the connected by a cable tensioning device. The cable is guided by a series of circumferential grooves arranged alternately on the two brackets, and is tightened by the cable tensioning device in such a manner as to exert, between the two brackets and in one operation, a traction or compression force evenly distributed along the brackets.
Inventors
- 👤 Enzo Brusasco
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:09
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F5/00; A61F5/01; A61F5/04; A61F5/05; A61F5/058; A61F5/05841; A61F5/0585; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/60; A61B17/66; A61B17/88; A61B17/8869
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
148 words
A prosthesis for reducing and locking limb bone fractures, said prosthesis comprising two brackets (10, 11; 10', 11'; 10", 11") adapted to be secured to a fractured bone on opposite sides of the fracture; and adjustable connecting means for connecting the brackets together; characterised by the fact that said prosthesis also comprises guide means (19, 20; 19", 48) located on a first of said brackets (10, 11; 10', 11'; 10"; 11") and connected in sliding manner to a second of said brackets (10, 11; 10', 11'; 10", 11") for axially guiding said second bracket as it moves in relation to said first bracket; said connecting means comprising a flexible element (36, 37, 38) of adjustable length extending between said two brackets (10, 11; 10', 11'; 10", 11") in a substantially fret type pattern and connected in sliding manner to each said bracket (10, 11; 10', 11'; 10", 11").
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
148 words
A prosthesis for reducing and locking limb bone fractures, said prosthesis comprising two brackets (10, 11; 10', 11'; 10", 11") adapted to be secured to a fractured bone on opposite sides of the fracture; and adjustable connecting means for connecting the brackets together; characterised by the fact that said prosthesis also comprises guide means (19, 20; 19", 48) located on a first of said brackets (10, 11; 10', 11'; 10"; 11") and connected in sliding manner to a second of said brackets (10, 11; 10', 11'; 10", 11") for axially guiding said second bracket as it moves in relation to said first bracket; said connecting means comprising a flexible element (36, 37, 38) of adjustable length extending between said two brackets (10, 11; 10', 11'; 10", 11") in a substantially fret type pattern and connected in sliding manner to each said bracket (10, 11; 10', 11'; 10", 11").
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
A prosthesis as claimed in claim 1, characterised by the fact that said flexible element (36, 37, 38) comprises a flexible cable (36) and a cable tensioning device (37, 38) for connecting opposite ends of said flexible cable, and adjusting the length of said cable (36).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
87 words
A prosthesis as claimed in claim 2, characterised by the fact that each said bracket (10, 11; 10', 11'; 10", 11") presents a series of circumferential grooves (41, 44; 53, 54) in which to wind and guide said cable (36); each said groove extending between two adjacent positions (40, 43) of a plurality of positions, and said grooves being formed on two flanges (39, 42'; 39", 51) of said brackets and alternating in such a manner as to arrange said cable in said substantially fret type pattern.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
A prosthesis as claimed in claim 2, characterised by the fact that said cable tensioning device (37, 38) presents a gauge (45) for measuring the tension of said cable (36); said cable tensioning device and said gauge being located on two substantially parallel cable portions of said fret pattern.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
A prosthesis as claimed in claim 4, characterised by the fact that said cable (36) is a plastic-coated stranded steel cable, and that said cable tensioning device (37, 38) consists of a screw (37) secured to one end of said cable, and a nut screw (38) connected in rotary manner to the other end of said cable.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
60 words
A prosthesis as claimed in claim 1, characterised by the fact that each said bracket (10, 11; 10', 11'; 10", 11") presents two pairs of diametrical holes (14, 15; 16, 17) located in two diametrical planes perpendicular to each other but offset axially; each pair of holes being designed to receive a pin fitted through a respective fractured bone portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
57 words
A prosthesis as claimed in claim 1, characterised by the fact that each said bracket (10', 11'; 10", 11") presents two series of diametrical hole pairs (14'-17'; 14"-17") located in two different planes perpendicular to the axis of said bracket; each pair of holes being designed to receive a pin fitted through a respective fractured bone portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
90 words
A prosthesis as claimed in claim 1, characterised by the fact that said guide means (19, 20; 19", 47) are carried on a structure (19, 28; 24, 30; 19, 28, 30'; 19", 28, 30") comprising a sleeve (19, 19") on which said first bracket (10, 10', 10") slides axially; said sleeve pivoting on a pair of diametrical pins (29) integral with the other (11, 11', 11") of said brackets; and lock means (34) being provided for locking said sleeve in a given angular position in relation to said other bracket.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
82 words
A prosthesis as claimed in claim 8, characterised by the fact that each said diametrical pin (29) is carried on an appendix (30, 30', 30") having a semicircular profile (32) facing said sleeve, the semicircular profile of at least one of said appendixes being knurled; said lock means comprising a plate (34) associated with said appendix and having a knurled profile (33) complementary to said knurled profile (3); and said plate (34) being secured in removable manner to said sleeve (19, 19").
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
A prosthesis as claimed in claim 8, characterised by the fact that the outer surface of said sleeve (19) presents a series of equally-spaced prismatic axial grooves (20) cooperating with a series of complementary ribs (21) on the inner surface of said first bracket (10, 10').
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
42 words
A prosthesis as claimed in claim 8, characterised by the fact that said sleeve (19") presents a series of pins (47) parallel to the axis of said sleeve and cooperating with a series of axial holes (48) on said first bracket (10").
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
58 words
A prosthesis as claimed in claim 10, characterised by the fact that said pair of diametrical pins (29) is carried on a ring (24) connectable to said other bracket (10) in a number of different angular positions; said ring (24) presenting a knurled front edge (26) connectable to a complementary knurled edge (27) on said other bracket (11).
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
107 words
A prosthesis as claimed in claim 3, characterised by the fact that a first (41) of said series of circumferential grooves is formed on a flange (39) formed in one piece with said first bracket (10), whereas the other series (44) of said circumferential grooves is formed on a flange (42) coaxial with said other bracket (11) and designed to turn about its axis for mutually phasing said two series of grooves (41, 44); said series of grooves (41, 44) being so formed on said flanges (39, 42; 38, 42') that, when said cable (36) is tightened, said brackets (10, 11; 10', 11') are brought closer together.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
77 words
A prosthesis as claimed in claim 3, characterised by the fact that a first (53) of said series of circumferential grooves (53, 54) is formed on a flange (39") formed in one piece with said first bracket (10"), whereas the other series (54) of said circumferential grooves is formed on a flange (51) secured to a series of pins (47) in such a manner that, when said cable (36) is tightened, said brackets (10", 11") are parted.
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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) | 1995-07-14 | 1996-01-13 | 1996-07-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-07-14 | 2000-01-13 | 2000-07-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-07-14 | 2004-01-13 | 2004-07-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |