US4773910A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Permanent ligament prosthesis
Assignee: Johnson and Johnson Hospital Services Inc
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Filing: 1987-08-17
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Granted: 1988-09-27
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Expires: 2007-08-17
Abstract
Abstract A cruciate ligament prosthesis constructed with two separately tensionable strands. Each strand is composed of a plurality of fine polyolefin filaments, each filament having a diameter of from 25 to 50 microns and the breaking strength of each strand is at least 1000 pounds.
Inventors
- 👤 Elizabeth H. Chen
- 👤 Alastair J. T. Clemow
- 👤 Steven W. Arms
- 👤 Malcolm H. Pope
- 👤 Per Renstrom
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:19
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/08; A61F2/0811; A61F2002/0817; A61F2002/0823; A61F2002/0829; A61F2002/0847; A61F2002/0852; A61F2002/087; A61F2002/0876; A61F2002/0882; A61F2002/0888
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
An anterior cruciate ligament prosthesis comprising two strands, each of said strands having a proximal and a distal ends and being formed of a plurality of individual fine filaments of high tenacity polyolefin fibers, said strand having a breaking strength of at least 1,000 pounds and a cross-sectional diameter of between 2 and 6 millimeters; the proximal ends of each of said strands being affixed to a single button means and each strand forming a loop at said distal end; and a removable guide thread attached to said loop, said removable guide thread having a predetermined length to thread each strand from a joint from a proximal point of attachment to a distal point of attachment.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
116 words
An anterior cruciate ligament prosthesis comprising two strands, each of said strands having a proximal and a distal ends and being formed of a plurality of individual fine filaments of high tenacity polyolefin fibers, said strand having a breaking strength of at least 1,000 pounds and a cross-sectional diameter of between 2 and 6 millimeters; the proximal ends of each of said strands being affixed to a single button means and each strand forming a loop at said distal end; and a removable guide thread attached to said loop, said removable guide thread having a predetermined length to thread each strand from a joint from a proximal point of attachment to a distal point of attachment.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The prosthesis of claim 1 in which said button has a top surface and a bottom surface, a knotted end of each strand in on the top surface of said button and is embedded in an adhesive overlying the top surface of the button.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The prosthesis of claim 1 in which the fibers of said strands are polyethylene.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The prosthesis of claim 1 in which each strand contains from 8,000 to 14,000 filaments.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The prosthesis of claim 4 in which the diameter of each filament is between 30 and 40 microns.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The prosthesis of claim 2 in which each strand is a continuous length of yarn, and the ends of said yarn are knotted on the top surface of said button.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The prosthesis of claim 2 in which each loop is threaded through two holes in said button.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The prosthesis of claim 1 in which at least a portion of the strands are encased in a biocompatible plastic material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The prosthesis of claim 1 in which the strands have a diameter between 4 and 6 millimeters.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The prosthesis of claim 1 in which the strands have a twist of less than three twists per inch.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-09-27 | 1992-03-28 | 1992-09-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-09-27 | 1996-03-28 | 1996-09-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-09-27 | 2000-03-28 | 2000-09-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |