US5964768A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tapered bone screw with continuously varying pitch
Assignee: Acumed LLC
•
Filing: 1998-03-03
•
Granted: 1999-10-12
•
Expires: 2018-03-03
Abstract
Abstract A bone screw having a continuously varying pitch includes a tapered root portion having a relatively small diameter on a leading end of the screw and a larger trailing diameter. The pitch of the screw decreases between the leading and trailing ends thus causing the bone fragments in a fracture to be drawn together when the screw is installed across the fragments. The radially outer diameter of the threads increases between the leading and trailing ends thus causing each successive thread portion to cut into bone radially outwardly from the preceding thread portion thereby providing uncut bone in which the succeeding threads can gain purchase.
Inventors
- 👤 Randall J. Huebner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 11:04
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/68; A61B17/84; A61B17/86; A61B17/8625; A61B17/863; A61B17/16; A61B17/1662; A61B17/1686; A61B17/88; A61B17/8863; A61B17/8635; A61B17/8645; A61B17/064; A61B2017/0646; A61B2017/0647; A61B2017/0648
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 42
Claim 1
Independent Claim
167 words
A method of joining first and second objects, the method comprising: providing a headless screw having an elongate root portion, a leading end and a trailing end, the screw further having a screw thread formed over at least a portion of the root portion, the screw thread have a pitch measured between corresponding points on consecutive thread crests which is larger toward the leading end and smaller toward the trailing end, the screw thread further having a diameter which is larger toward the trailing end and smaller toward the leading end; introducing the leading end of the screw into the first object through a first surface of the first object; rotating the screw to drive the leading end of the screw forward through the first object and into the second object until the trailing end of the screw is disposed beneath the first surface of the first object with a portion of the screw thread being disposed in each object to thereby secure the two objects together.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
167 words
A method of joining first and second objects, the method comprising: providing a headless screw having an elongate root portion, a leading end and a trailing end, the screw further having a screw thread formed over at least a portion of the root portion, the screw thread have a pitch measured between corresponding points on consecutive thread crests which is larger toward the leading end and smaller toward the trailing end, the screw thread further having a diameter which is larger toward the trailing end and smaller toward the leading end; introducing the leading end of the screw into the first object through a first surface of the first object; rotating the screw to drive the leading end of the screw forward through the first object and into the second object until the trailing end of the screw is disposed beneath the first surface of the first object with a portion of the screw thread being disposed in each object to thereby secure the two objects together.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second objects are initially separated by a gap further comprising closing the gap by driving the screw in until the objects are urged together.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
167 words
A method of urging first and second objects toward each other, the method comprising: providing a screw having an elongate root portion, a leading end and a trailing end, the screw further having a screw thread formed over at least a portion of the root portion, the screw thread having a pitch measured between corresponding points on consecutive thread crests which is larger toward the leading end and smaller toward the trailing end, wherein the pitch varies substantially continuously over at least a portion of the thread, the screw thread further having a diameter which is larger near the trailing end and smaller near the leading end; introducing the leading end of the screw into the first object through a first surface of the first object; driving the leading end of the screw forward through the first object and into the second object until the portion of thread having substantially continuously varying pitch is disposed a partially in the first object and partially in the second object.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
167 words
A method of urging first and second objects toward each other, the method comprising: providing a screw having an elongate root portion, a leading end and a trailing end, the screw further having a screw thread formed over at least a portion of the root portion, the screw thread having a pitch measured between corresponding points on consecutive thread crests which is larger toward the leading end and smaller toward the trailing end, wherein the pitch varies substantially continuously over at least a portion of the thread, the screw thread further having a diameter which is larger near the trailing end and smaller near the leading end; introducing the leading end of the screw into the first object through a first surface of the first object; driving the leading end of the screw forward through the first object and into the second object until the portion of thread having substantially continuously varying pitch is disposed a partially in the first object and partially in the second object.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 3, wherein the pitch of the screw thread varies substantially continuously over the majority of the screw.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 3, wherein the diameter of the screw thread increases as the pitch of the screw thread decreases in the portion of the thread having substantially continuously varying pitch.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
164 words
A method of urging first and second objects toward each other, the method comprising: providing a screw having an elongate root portion, a leading end and a trailing end, the screw further having a screw thread formed over at least part of the root portion and having a pitch measured between corresponding points on consecutive thread crests; introducing the leading end of the screw into the first object through a first surface of the first object; driving the leading end of the screw forward through the first object and into the second object until a leading portion of the screw thread is disposed in the second object and a trailing portion of the screw thread is disposed in the first object, where the pitch of the screw thread is larger toward the leading end and smaller toward the trailing end and the diameter of the screw thread varies in each portion and is smaller toward the leading end and larger toward the trailing end.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
164 words
A method of urging first and second objects toward each other, the method comprising: providing a screw having an elongate root portion, a leading end and a trailing end, the screw further having a screw thread formed over at least part of the root portion and having a pitch measured between corresponding points on consecutive thread crests; introducing the leading end of the screw into the first object through a first surface of the first object; driving the leading end of the screw forward through the first object and into the second object until a leading portion of the screw thread is disposed in the second object and a trailing portion of the screw thread is disposed in the first object, where the pitch of the screw thread is larger toward the leading end and smaller toward the trailing end and the diameter of the screw thread varies in each portion and is smaller toward the leading end and larger toward the trailing end.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 6, wherein the pitch of the screw thread in each portion varies and is larger toward the leading end and smaller toward the trailing end.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
173 words
A method of urging first and second objects toward each other, the method comprising: providing a screw having an elongate root portion, a leading end and a trailing end, the screw further having a screw thread formed over at least part of the root portion, the screw thread having a pitch measured between corresponding points on consecutive thread crests which is larger toward the leading end and smaller toward the trailing end and a diameter which is smaller toward the leading end and larger toward the trailing end, at least along a first portion of the screw the pitch gradually increases as the diameter gradually decreases; introducing the leading end of the screw into the first object; driving the leading end of the screw forward through the first object and into the second object until the leading end of the screw is disposed in the second object and first portion spans a junction between the first and second objects and with part of the first portion of the screw disposed in each object.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
173 words
A method of urging first and second objects toward each other, the method comprising: providing a screw having an elongate root portion, a leading end and a trailing end, the screw further having a screw thread formed over at least part of the root portion, the screw thread having a pitch measured between corresponding points on consecutive thread crests which is larger toward the leading end and smaller toward the trailing end and a diameter which is smaller toward the leading end and larger toward the trailing end, at least along a first portion of the screw the pitch gradually increases as the diameter gradually decreases; introducing the leading end of the screw into the first object; driving the leading end of the screw forward through the first object and into the second object until the leading end of the screw is disposed in the second object and first portion spans a junction between the first and second objects and with part of the first portion of the screw disposed in each object.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 8, wherein the first and second objects are adjacent pieces of a fractured bone.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 9, further including the step of boring a hole into the first and second objects.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 8, further including screwing the screw into the objects until they are drawn together by compression induced by the screw.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
145 words
A method of drawing together first and second bone portions, the method comprising: boring a hole into both bone portions, where the hole extends through the first bone portion, across a junction between the bone portions and into the second bone portion; inserting a leading end of a screw into the hole in the first bone portion, where the screw has a pitch measured between corresponding points on consecutive crests of the thread that is larger near the leading end and smaller near the trailing end and which changes substantially continuously over at least a portion of the screw; and screwing the screw into the hole until the portion of the screw with substantially continuously changing pitch is disposed across the junction between the bone portions with a portion of the screw thread being disposed in each object to thereby secure the two objects together.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
145 words
A method of drawing together first and second bone portions, the method comprising: boring a hole into both bone portions, where the hole extends through the first bone portion, across a junction between the bone portions and into the second bone portion; inserting a leading end of a screw into the hole in the first bone portion, where the screw has a pitch measured between corresponding points on consecutive crests of the thread that is larger near the leading end and smaller near the trailing end and which changes substantially continuously over at least a portion of the screw; and screwing the screw into the hole until the portion of the screw with substantially continuously changing pitch is disposed across the junction between the bone portions with a portion of the screw thread being disposed in each object to thereby secure the two objects together.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 12, wherein the first and second bone portions are individual bones separated by an articulated joint, and further including leaving the screw in place at least until the articulated joint is fused.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 13, wherein the individual bones are phalanges.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 13, wherein the articulated joint is the ankle.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 12, wherein the step of boring a hole into both bone portions comprises the step of using a single drill bit to bore the hole.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 12, wherein the step of using a single drill bit to bore the hole comprises the step of using a tapered drill bit.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 12, wherein said method further includes the step of screwing the screw into the hole until the bone portions are drawn together responsive to compression induced by the screw.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 12, wherein said screw is a headless screw.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 19, wherein said screw thread is formed on substantially all of said screw.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 12, wherein said first and second bone portions are potions of the same bone separated by a fracture.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
116 words
A method for drawing together first and second bone portions, said method comprising: using a drill bit to bore a hole into both bone portions with a central portion of the hole having both bone portions disposed thereacross; inserting the nose of a screw into the hole, said screw having a thread pitch measured between substantially all corresponding points of consecutive threads which decreases continuously from a leading end to a trailing end of the screw and a root portion having a substantially constant tapered surface which increases continuously from the leading end to the trailing end; screwing the screw into the hole; and continuing screwing until all of the screw is received within the bore.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
116 words
A method for drawing together first and second bone portions, said method comprising: using a drill bit to bore a hole into both bone portions with a central portion of the hole having both bone portions disposed thereacross; inserting the nose of a screw into the hole, said screw having a thread pitch measured between substantially all corresponding points of consecutive threads which decreases continuously from a leading end to a trailing end of the screw and a root portion having a substantially constant tapered surface which increases continuously from the leading end to the trailing end; screwing the screw into the hole; and continuing screwing until all of the screw is received within the bore.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 22, wherein said first and second bone portions are portions of the same bone separated by a fracture.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 23, wherein the step of using a drill bit to bore the hole comprises the step of using a tapered drill bit.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 23, wherein said method further includes the step of screwing the screw into the hole until it is received in both bone portions and the bone portions are drawn together responsive to compression induced by the screw.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 23, wherein said screw is a headless screw and wherein said root portion trailing end comprises the rearmost portion of said screw.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 26, wherein said screw thread is formed on substantially all of said root portion.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
79 words
A method for using a screw having a thread pitch measured between substantially all corresponding points of consecutive threads which decreases continuously from a leading end to a trailing end of the screw, said method comprising the steps of: boring axial holes into first and second bone portions; inserting the nose of the screw into an end of one of the holes; screwing the screw into the holes; and stopping screwing when the thread is received in both holes.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
79 words
A method for using a screw having a thread pitch measured between substantially all corresponding points of consecutive threads which decreases continuously from a leading end to a trailing end of the screw, said method comprising the steps of: boring axial holes into first and second bone portions; inserting the nose of the screw into an end of one of the holes; screwing the screw into the holes; and stopping screwing when the thread is received in both holes.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 28, wherein the step boring axial holes into first and second bone portions comprises the step of using a single drill bit to bore the holes.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 29, wherein the step of using a single drill bit to bore the holes comprises the step of using a tapered drill bit.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 28, wherein said method further comprises the step of screwing the screw until the screw is entirely received within the axial holes.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 31, wherein the step of stopping screwing when the thread is received in both holes further comprises the step of stopping screwing when the bone portions are drawn together responsive to compression induced by the screw.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 28, wherein said screw further includes a tapered root.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 33, wherein said screw is a headless screw and wherein said root portion trailing end comprises the rearmost portion of said screw.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 34, wherein said screw thread is formed on substantially all of said root portion.
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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) | 2002-10-11 | 2003-04-12 | 2003-10-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-10-11 | 2007-04-12 | 2007-10-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-10-11 | 2011-04-12 | 2011-10-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |