US5540703A — Knotted cable attachment apparatus formed of brai…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 225 words

A method for the fusion of bone segments having outer surfaces, comprising the steps of: a) positioning the bone segments into close approximation with each other; b) providing a surgical cable having a needle at one end of cable, the cable being formed of a plurality of polymeric fibers to force the opposed bone segments toward each other, the polymeric cable having two free ends and being of a diameter of between one and three millimeters (1-3 mm) along the entire length thereof including said ends, to define an elongated thin cable with sufficient inherent flexibility for enabling the cable to be wrapped around the bone segments, said cable having fibers with sufficient tensile strength so that the cable is capable of bearing stress loads to allow the fusion of the said opposing bone segments and to be sufficiently inelastic so as to maintain continuous pressure on the bone segments; c) wrapping the cable around the bone segments; d) applying a compressive force to the adjacent bone segments; e) securing the cable in place relative to the bone segments by splicing the cable ends together using the needle during said splice of the cable by weaving the needle through the cable; and f) minimizing stress concentration at the bone segment outer surfaces by closely conforming the cable to the outer surfaces of the bone segments.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 225 words

A method for the fusion of bone segments having outer surfaces, comprising the steps of: a) positioning the bone segments into close approximation with each other; b) providing a surgical cable having a needle at one end of cable, the cable being formed of a plurality of polymeric fibers to force the opposed bone segments toward each other, the polymeric cable having two free ends and being of a diameter of between one and three millimeters (1-3 mm) along the entire length thereof including said ends, to define an elongated thin cable with sufficient inherent flexibility for enabling the cable to be wrapped around the bone segments, said cable having fibers with sufficient tensile strength so that the cable is capable of bearing stress loads to allow the fusion of the said opposing bone segments and to be sufficiently inelastic so as to maintain continuous pressure on the bone segments; c) wrapping the cable around the bone segments; d) applying a compressive force to the adjacent bone segments; e) securing the cable in place relative to the bone segments by splicing the cable ends together using the needle during said splice of the cable by weaving the needle through the cable; and f) minimizing stress concentration at the bone segment outer surfaces by closely conforming the cable to the outer surfaces of the bone segments.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 34 words

The method of claim 1, wherein the cable having a diameter of 3 millimeters or less has a tensile strength of generally 310,000 psi which provides a load bearing capacity of about 1600 pounds.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 17 words

The method of claim 1, wherein the opposed bone elements includes adjacent vertebrae of a spinal column.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 30 words

The method of claim 1, wherein the polymeric cable is formed from a plurality of polymeric fibers with the tensile strength of each polymeric fiber being greater than 350,000 psi.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 34 words

The method of claim 1, wherein the cable has a diameter of 3 millimeters or less with a tensile strength f generally 310,000 psi which provides a load bearing capacity of about 1600 pounds.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 17 words

The method of claim 1, wherein the polymeric cable is formed of braided strands of polymeric fiber.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 18 words

The method of claim 1, wherein the polymeric material is formed of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene fibers.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 14 words

The method of claim 1, wherein the polymeric fibers are formed of Sprectra 1000™.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 11 words

The method of claim 1, wherein the polymeric material is biocompatible.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 21 words

The method of claim 1, wherein the step of securing the cable further includes knotting the ends of the cable together.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 23 words

The method of claim 1, wherein the step of securing the cable further includes fusing the ends of the cable together with heat.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 36 words

The method of claim 1, wherein the step of securing the cable further includes attachment to bone with an attachment means, the attachments means is selected from the group consisting of surgical staples, pins, and screws.

Claim 14

Independent Claim 184 words

A method for the fusion of vertebrae of a spinal column, comprising the steps of: a) providing a surgical cable having a needle at one end of the cable, the cable being formed of a plurality of polymeric fibers to force the vertebrae toward each other, the polymeric cable having two free ends and being of a diameter of between one and three millimeters (1-3 mm) along the entire length thereof including said ends to define an elongated thin cable with sufficient inherent flexibility for enabling the cable to be wrapped around the vertebrae fragments, said cable having fibers with sufficient tensile strength, so that the cable is capable of bearing sufficient stress loads to allow the fusion of adjacent vertebrae; b) wrapping the cable around the vertebrae; c) applying a compressive force to the adjacent vertebrae; d) securing the cable in place relative to the vertebrae by splicing the cable ends together using the needle during said splice of the cable by weaving the needle through the cable; and e) minimizing stress concentration by closely conforming the cable to the outer surface vertebrae.

Claim 15

Independent Claim 184 words

A method for the fusion of vertebrae of a spinal column, comprising the steps of: a) providing a surgical cable having a needle at one end of the cable, the cable being formed of a plurality of polymeric fibers to force the vertebrae toward each other, the polymeric cable having two free ends and being of a diameter of between one and three millimeters (1-3 mm) along the entire length thereof including said ends to define an elongated thin cable with sufficient inherent flexibility for enabling the cable to be wrapped around the vertebrae fragments, said cable having fibers with sufficient tensile strength, so that the cable is capable of bearing sufficient stress loads to allow the fusion of adjacent vertebrae; b) wrapping the cable around the vertebrae; c) applying a compressive force to the adjacent vertebrae; d) securing the cable in place relative to the vertebrae by splicing the cable ends together using the needle during said splice of the cable by weaving the needle through the cable; and e) minimizing stress concentration by closely conforming the cable to the outer surface vertebrae.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 43 words

The method of claim 12, wherein the polymeric cable is formed from a plurality of polymeric fibers having a diameter of less than or equal to 3 millimeters with the tensile strength of each polymeric fiber being no less than about 350,000 psi.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 17 words

The method of claim 12, wherein the polymeric cable is formed of braided strands of polymeric fiber.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 18 words

The method of claim 12, wherein the polymeric material is formed of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene fibers.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 14 words

The method of claim 12, wherein the polymeric fibers are formed of Spectra 1000™.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 11 words

The method of claim 12, wherein the polymeric material is biocompatible.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 21 words

The method of claim 12, wherein the step of securing the cable further includes knotting the ends of the cable together.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 23 words

The method of claim 12, wherein the step of securing the cable further includes fusing the ends of the cable together with heat.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 35 words

The method of claim 12, wherein the step of securing the cable further includes attachment to bone with an attachment means, the attachment means is selected from the group consisting of staples, pins, and screws.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 124 words

An orthopedic surgical method of securing multiple bone parts of a patient together with a cable attachment apparatus that includes a length of flexible cable formed of braided polymeric material having first and second cable ends, comprising the steps of: a) forming a first loop at the first cable end; b) encircling a plurality of selected bone structures with the second loop; c) attaching the second end to the cable through the first loop to form a second loop; d) pulling on the first end through the first loop to reduce the size of the second loop to tighten the second loop around the selected bone parts; and e) secure the loop and cable in the tightened position by weaving the cable through itself.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 124 words

An orthopedic surgical method of securing multiple bone parts of a patient together with a cable attachment apparatus that includes a length of flexible cable formed of braided polymeric material having first and second cable ends, comprising the steps of: a) forming a first loop at the first cable end; b) encircling a plurality of selected bone structures with the second loop; c) attaching the second end to the cable through the first loop to form a second loop; d) pulling on the first end through the first loop to reduce the size of the second loop to tighten the second loop around the selected bone parts; and e) secure the loop and cable in the tightened position by weaving the cable through itself.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 29 words

The method of claim 22, wherein the strands of polymeric cable includes fibers formed of a high strength, biocompatible, organic polymer, preferably polyolefins such as ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1999-07-30	2000-01-29	2000-07-30	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2003-07-30	2004-01-29	2004-07-30	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2007-07-30	2008-01-29	2008-07-30	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Knotted cable attachment apparatus formed of braided polymeric fibers

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