US4669474A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Absorbable nerve repair device and method
Assignee: 3M Co
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Filing: 1985-04-02
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Granted: 1987-06-02
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Expires: 2005-04-02
Abstract
Abstract Medical devices for the sutureless repair of lacerated, severed, or grafted nerves comprising longitudinally-openable, porous, rough-surfaced tubes of a body-absorbable polymer are disclosed. The tubular devices of the invention are prepared by sintering or otherwise bonding together granules or fibers, or melt processing suitable polymers in the form of the desired device.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas H. Barrows
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 22:10
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61L; A61L27/00; A61L27/50; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/11; A61B17/1128; A61L27/14; A61L27/18; A61B17/04; A61B17/0401; A61B2017/0417; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30003; A61F2002/3006; A61F2002/30062; A61F2210/00; A61F2210/0004; A61L2430/00; A61L2430/32
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
A process for the sutureless repair of a lacerated, severed, or grafted nerve comprising the steps: a. providing a logitudinally-openable, porous, rough-surfaced tube, of at least one body-absorbable polymer, said tube having a porosity in the range of 25 to 95 percent by volume and a coefficient of static friction, μs, in the range of 0.40 to 0.90, b. placing said nerve in one portion of said tube and abutting the ends of said nerve, c. positioning the second portion of said tube in apposition to said first portion so as to form a tube enclosing said nerve, and d. allowing said nerve to heal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
105 words
A process for the sutureless repair of a lacerated, severed, or grafted nerve comprising the steps: a. providing a logitudinally-openable, porous, rough-surfaced tube, of at least one body-absorbable polymer, said tube having a porosity in the range of 25 to 95 percent by volume and a coefficient of static friction, μs, in the range of 0.40 to 0.90, b. placing said nerve in one portion of said tube and abutting the ends of said nerve, c. positioning the second portion of said tube in apposition to said first portion so as to form a tube enclosing said nerve, and d. allowing said nerve to heal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The process according to claim 1 wherein a rough-surfaced tube is provided by using a polymer selected from the group consisting of polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, polydioxanone, poly(lactide-co-glycolide), polyesteramides, and copolymers and mixtures thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process according to claim 1 wherein a rough-surfaced tube is provided by using a polymer which is a mixture of polyglycolic acid and polylactic acid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The process according to claim 1 wherein a rough-surfaced tube is provided by using a polymer which is in a form selected from the group consisting of (a) a web of non-woven fiber, and (b) a woven fabric, said polymer being bonded by treatment with a solvent.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The process according to claim 1 wherein a rough-surfaced tube is provided by using a polymer which is polyglycolic acid in the form of a web and bonding is achieved by treatment with a solvent.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The process according to claim 1 wherein a rough-surfaced tube is provided by using a polymer which is polyglycolic acid in the form of a web and bonding is achieved by treatment with a polymer solution.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process according to claim 1 wherein a rough-surfaced tube is provided by using bonded granules of said polymer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process according to claim 1 wherein a rough surface tube is provided using a polymer which is poly[oxysuccinoyloxydodecane-1,12-di(amidocarbonylmethylene)-co-10 percent-oxysuccinoyloxy-4,9-dioxadodedane-1,12-di(amidocarbonylmethylene)]
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process according to claim 1 wherein a rough surfaced tube is provided by using a polymer which is poly[oxysuccinoyloxyhexane-1,6-di(amidocarbonylmethylene)].
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process according to claim 1 wherein a rough-surfaced tube is used providing an inside diameter in the range of 0.1 to 10 mm.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process according to claim 1 wherein a rough-surfaced tube is used providing a coefficient of static friction in the range of 0.50 to 0.80.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1990-06-01 | 1990-12-01 | 1991-06-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-06-01 | 1994-12-01 | 1995-06-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-06-01 | 1998-12-01 | 1999-06-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |