US4338926A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bone fracture prosthesis with controlled stiffness
Assignee: Howmedica Osteonics Corp
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Filing: 1980-11-21
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Granted: 1982-07-13
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Expires: 2000-11-21
Abstract
Abstract A novel bone prosthesis for use in healing a bone fracture is disclosed comprising a strong, rigid non-absorbable structural member and a biologically absorbable element 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 in the fracture region 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
- 👤 Frederick J. Kummer
- 👤 Richard D. Coutts
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 21:01
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: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
A bone prosthesis for use in healing a bone fracture comprising a strong, rigid, biologically non-absorbable metallic structural member having a first surface adapted to face said bone on both sides of said fracture and a second surface facing substantially away from said first surface and separated therefrom by the thickness of said structural member, and a biologically absorbable, biodegradable synthetic polymeric element adapted to be held under compression between said structural member and said bone, with said element contacting at least a portion of said first surface but not contacting said second surface, 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
139 words
A bone prosthesis for use in healing a bone fracture comprising a strong, rigid, biologically non-absorbable metallic structural member having a first surface adapted to face said bone on both sides of said fracture and a second surface facing substantially away from said first surface and separated therefrom by the thickness of said structural member, and a biologically absorbable, biodegradable synthetic polymeric element adapted to be held under compression between said structural member and said bone, with said element contacting at least a portion of said first surface but not contacting said second surface, 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
24 words
A prosthesis of claim 1 wherein said structural member is an intramedullary rod and said element is affixed to the exterior of said rod.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A prosthesis of claim 1 wherein said structural member is a bone plate and said element is affixed to said plate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
92 words
A bone prosthesis for use in healing a bone fracture comprising a strong, rigid, biologically non-absorbable structural member, distinct means to secure said structural member to said bone, and a biologically absorbable element adapted to be held under compression between said securing means and 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 6
Dependent Claim
92 words
A bone prosthesis for use in healing a bone fracture comprising a strong, rigid, biologically non-absorbable structural member, distinct means to secure said structural member to said bone, and a biologically absorbable element adapted to be held under compression between said securing means and 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 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
A prosthesis of claim 4 wherein said structural member is a bone plate, said securing means comprises a bone screw adapted to be fitted through an aperture in said plate, and said element is a gasket held between said screw and said plate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
129 words
A bone prosthesis for use in healing a bone fracture comprising a strong, rigid, biologically non-absorbable structural member and a biologically absorbable element adapted to be held under compression between said structural member and said bone when said prosthesis is secured to said bone, so that stress is transmitted from said bone through said element to said structural member, with said structural member being 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 with said element being a washer for said screw held between said plate and said bone, whereby the stress transmitted to said prosthesis gradually decreases with time during the healing of said bone as said element is absorbed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
129 words
A bone prosthesis for use in healing a bone fracture comprising a strong, rigid, biologically non-absorbable structural member and a biologically absorbable element adapted to be held under compression between said structural member and said bone when said prosthesis is secured to said bone, so that stress is transmitted from said bone through said element to said structural member, with said structural member being 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 with said element being a washer for said screw held between said plate and said bone, whereby the stress transmitted to said prosthesis gradually decreases with time during the healing of said bone as said element is absorbed.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
A prosthesis of claim 4 or 6 wherein said element is made of a polymeric material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
A prosthesis of claim 4 or 6 wherein said element is made of a synthetic polymeric material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
134 words
A bone prosthesis for use in healing a bone fracture comprising a strong, rigid, biologically non-absorbable metallic structural member and a biologically absorbable, biodegradable synthetic polymeric element adapted to be held under compression between said structural member and said bone when said prosthesis is secured to said bone, so that stress is transmitted from said bone through said element to said structural member, with said structural member being a bone plate adapted to be secured to said bone by means comprising two bone screws each adapted to be fitted through an aperture in said plate, and with said element being a spacer held between said plate, said bone and said two screws, whereby the stress transmitted to said prosthesis gradually decreases with time during the healing of said bone as said element is absorbed.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
134 words
A bone prosthesis for use in healing a bone fracture comprising a strong, rigid, biologically non-absorbable metallic structural member and a biologically absorbable, biodegradable synthetic polymeric element adapted to be held under compression between said structural member and said bone when said prosthesis is secured to said bone, so that stress is transmitted from said bone through said element to said structural member, with said structural member being a bone plate adapted to be secured to said bone by means comprising two bone screws each adapted to be fitted through an aperture in said plate, and with said element being a spacer held between said plate, said bone and said two screws, whereby the stress transmitted to said prosthesis gradually decreases with time during the healing of said bone as said element is absorbed.
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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) | 1985-07-12 | 1986-01-11 | 1986-07-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-07-12 | 1990-01-11 | 1990-07-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-07-12 | 1994-01-11 | 1994-07-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |