US5201733A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for internal fixation of fractures
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1992-01-21
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Granted: 1993-04-13
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Expires: 2012-01-21
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for internal fixation of fractures, which method includes the steps of initially aligning the fractured bone and bone segments, drilling pilot holes in the bone and bone segments to receive non-metallic screws and/or pins, inserting the non-metallic screws and/or pins in the drilled pilot holes to temporarily maintain alignment of the bone and bone fragments, applying one or more metal reconstruction plates to the bone and bone fragments, drilling additional pilot holes in the bone and bone fragments to receive metal screws and/or pins and inserting the metal screws and/or pins through the holes in the metal reconstruction plate into the pilot holes in the bone and bone fragments without regard to the location of the non-metallic pins and/or screws, to permanently fix the bone fragments and bone in correct anatomical configuration.
Inventors
- 👤 James L. Etheredge, III
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 22:54
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/68; A61B17/80; A61B17/84; A61B17/86; A61B2017/00004
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
A method for internal fixation of bone fractures comprising the steps of positioning bone elements of the fractures in correct anatomical relationship; drilling at least one temporary fixation hole in the bone elements across the fractures; inserting at least one non-metallic fixation device in said temporary fixation hole for temporarily securing the bone elements in the correct anatomical relationship; fitting at least one metal permanent reconstruction means to the bone elements; drilling at least two permanent fixation holes in the bone elements without regard to the location of said non-metallic fixation device; and inserting metallic fixation devices in said permanent fixation holes for securing said reconstruction means on said bone elements and said bone elements in the correct anatomical relationship.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
120 words
A method for internal fixation of bone fractures comprising the steps of positioning bone elements of the fractures in correct anatomical relationship; drilling at least one temporary fixation hole in the bone elements across the fractures; inserting at least one non-metallic fixation device in said temporary fixation hole for temporarily securing the bone elements in the correct anatomical relationship; fitting at least one metal permanent reconstruction means to the bone elements; drilling at least two permanent fixation holes in the bone elements without regard to the location of said non-metallic fixation device; and inserting metallic fixation devices in said permanent fixation holes for securing said reconstruction means on said bone elements and said bone elements in the correct anatomical relationship.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said non-metallic fixation device further comprises a bioabsorbable non-metallic fixation device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said non-metallic fixation device further comprises a cortical screw.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 3 wherein said cortical screw is constructed of a bioabsorbable material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said non-metallic fixation device further comprises a cancellous screw.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method according to claim 5 wherein said cancellous screw is constructed of a bioabsorbable material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said metallic fixation devices further comprise metal screws.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 7 wherein said non-metallic fixation device further comprises a bioabsorbable non-metallic fixation device.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
120 words
A method for internal fixation of bone fractures comprising the steps of positioning bone elements of the fractures in substantially correct anatomical relationship; drilling temporary fixation pilot holes in the bone elements across the fractures; inserting non-metallic, bioabsorbable fixation devices in said temporary fixation holes, respectively, for temporarily securing the bone elements in the substantially correct anatomical relationship; fitting at least one permanent metal reconstruction means to the bone elements; drilling a plurality of permanent fixation holes in the bone elements without regard to the location of said non-metallic bioabsorbable fixation devices; and inserting metallic fixation devices in said permanent fixation holes for securing said reconstruction means on said bone elements and said bone elements in the correct anatomical relationship.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
120 words
A method for internal fixation of bone fractures comprising the steps of positioning bone elements of the fractures in substantially correct anatomical relationship; drilling temporary fixation pilot holes in the bone elements across the fractures; inserting non-metallic, bioabsorbable fixation devices in said temporary fixation holes, respectively, for temporarily securing the bone elements in the substantially correct anatomical relationship; fitting at least one permanent metal reconstruction means to the bone elements; drilling a plurality of permanent fixation holes in the bone elements without regard to the location of said non-metallic bioabsorbable fixation devices; and inserting metallic fixation devices in said permanent fixation holes for securing said reconstruction means on said bone elements and said bone elements in the correct anatomical relationship.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 9 wherein said non-metallic, bioabsorbable fixation devices are cortical screws.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 9 wherein said non-metallic, bioabsorbable fixation devices are cancellous screws.
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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) | 1996-04-12 | 1996-10-12 | 1997-04-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-04-12 | 2000-10-12 | 2001-04-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-04-12 | 2004-10-12 | 2005-04-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |