Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
An endoprosthetic device for a long bone which device comprises: a component of elongate form for use as an endoprothesis in a long bone and including two parts in longitudinal telescopic engagement defining therebetween a passageway of length variable with said engagement, one of said parts having a transverse opening affording access to said passageway, a releasable closure member for said opening, and a plurality of ball bearings located in said passageway by way of said opening to control adjustably the extent of said telescopic engagement.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
86 words
An endoprosthetic device for a long bone which device comprises: a component of elongate form for use as an endoprothesis in a long bone and including two parts in longitudinal telescopic engagement defining therebetween a passageway of length variable with said engagement, one of said parts having a transverse opening affording access to said passageway, a releasable closure member for said opening, and a plurality of ball bearings located in said passageway by way of said opening to control adjustably the extent of said telescopic engagement.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said two parts has an end remote from said telescopic engagement structured for securement in bone.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
A device according to claim 2 wherein the other of said two parts has a respective end remote from said telescopic engagement shaped to approximate the natural articulation surface at one end of said bone.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein said two parts are mutually keyed to inhibit rotation therebetween about the longitudinal direction of said telescopic engagement.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein said passageway is of circular cross-sectional shape and said ball bearings are of substantially the same diameter as said shape.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
A device according to claim 5 wherein said opening joins said passageway by way of a branch passageway inclined relative thereto at an acute angle and of corresponding diameter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A device according to claim 6 wherein said branch passageway is internally threaded, and said closure member is in the form of a threaded plug engageable in said branch passageway.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
50 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein said telescopic engagement is compound form in that said two parts have respective male and female formations in mutual sliding engagement, said male formation has a bore therein defining said passageway, and said female formation includes a piston slidably engaged in said bore.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
A device according to claim 8 wherein said piston is a separable part having a head slidably engaged in the remainder of said female formation and a rod slidably engaged in said male formation bore.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
A device according to claim 8 wherein said passageway is of greater longitudinal extent than said piston, and said piston is at least of equal longitudinal extent to the remainder of said female formation.