EP0052998A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bone prosthesis with controlled stiffness
Assignee: Coutts Richard David Dr
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Filing: 1981-11-18
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2001-11-18
Abstract
Abstract A novel bone prosthesis for use in healing a bone fracture is disclosed comprising a strong, rigid non-absorbable structural member (2) and a biologically absorbable element (3) held in use under compression against the structural member. Use of the novel prosthesis combines an excellent initial stabilization of the fixed fracture with a gradual shifting of stress-bearing from the prosthesis to the bone (8,9) in the fracture region (F) as the fracture heals. Thus, problems associated with stress-shielding during healing are alleviated. The structural member may be, e.g., a bone plate, intramedullary rod or hip nail.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard David Coutts
- 👤 Frederick Joseph Kummer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 23:30
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/68; A61B17/80; A61B17/8028; A61B17/8033; A61B17/8047; A61B2017/00004
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
80 words
A bone prosthesis for use in healing a bone fracture comprising a strong, rigid, biologically non-absorbable structural member 2 and a biologically absorbable element 3 adapted to be held under compression against said structural member when said prosthesis is secured to said bone, so that stress is transmitted from said bone through said element to said structural member, whereby the stress transmitted to said prosthesis gradually decreases with time during the healing of said bone as said element is absorbed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
80 words
A bone prosthesis for use in healing a bone fracture comprising a strong, rigid, biologically non-absorbable structural member 2 and a biologically absorbable element 3 adapted to be held under compression against said structural member when said prosthesis is secured to said bone, so that stress is transmitted from said bone through said element to said structural member, whereby the stress transmitted to said prosthesis gradually decreases with time during the healing of said bone as said element is absorbed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A prosthesis of claim 1 wherein said element is adapted to be held between said structural member and said bone when said prosthesis is secured to said bone.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A prosthesis of claim 2 wherein said structural member is a bone plate and said element is affixed to said plate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A prosthesis of claim 2 wherein said structural member is an intramedullary rod and said element is affixed to the exterior of said rod.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
A prosthesis of claim 1 wherein said structural member is a bone plate adapted to be secured to said bone by means including a bone screw fitted through an aperture in said plate, and said element is a gasket held between said screw and said plate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
A prosthesis of claim 2 wherein said structural member is a bone plate adapted to be secured to said bone by means including a bone screw adapted to be fitted through an aperture in said plate, and said element is a washer for said screw held between said plate and said bone.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
A prosthesis of claim 1 wherein said structural member is made of metal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
A prosthesis of claim 1 wherein said element is made of a polymeric material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
A prosthesis of claim 8 wherein said element is made of a synthetic polymeric material.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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