US4421119A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for establishing in vivo, bone strength
Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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Filing: 1981-12-11
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Granted: 1983-12-20
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Expires: 2001-12-11
Abstract
Abstract A system for establishing, in vivo, the strength of bone in a live being such as, for example, a horse. The system permits determination of the speed of travel of sound through the bone and the strength of the bone is assessed on the basis of said speed of travel.
Inventors
- 👤 George W. Pratt, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 10:02
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/45; A61B5/4504; A61B17/00; A61B17/16; A61B8/00; A61B8/08; A61B8/0875; A61D; A61D1/00; A61B5/4523; A61B5/4533
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
Apparatus for establishing, in vivo, the strength of a bone member, that comprises, in combination: a linear scale; first transducer means having a sending surface to launch an acoustic pulse through the bone member; second transducer means having a receiving surface to receive the pulse after transmission through the bone member, said receiving surface being parallel to and facing said sending surface so that said bone member may be positioned between and in contact with both of said surfaces; said first and second transducer means being mechanically interconnected by said linear scale so that the distance between said sending surface and said receiving surface may be measured; and means for measuring the transit time of the pulse from the first transducer means to the second transducer means to permit determination of the velocity of the propagated signal through the bone.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
140 words
Apparatus for establishing, in vivo, the strength of a bone member, that comprises, in combination: a linear scale; first transducer means having a sending surface to launch an acoustic pulse through the bone member; second transducer means having a receiving surface to receive the pulse after transmission through the bone member, said receiving surface being parallel to and facing said sending surface so that said bone member may be positioned between and in contact with both of said surfaces; said first and second transducer means being mechanically interconnected by said linear scale so that the distance between said sending surface and said receiving surface may be measured; and means for measuring the transit time of the pulse from the first transducer means to the second transducer means to permit determination of the velocity of the propagated signal through the bone.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said linear scale is a graduated vernier upon which said first and second transducer means are mounted.
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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) | 1986-12-19 | 1987-06-20 | 1987-12-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-12-19 | 1991-06-20 | 1991-12-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-12-19 | 1995-06-20 | 1995-12-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |