US4776329A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Resorbable compressing screw and method
Assignee: Smith and Nephew Inc
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Filing: 1985-09-20
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Granted: 1988-10-11
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Expires: 2005-09-20
Abstract
Abstract A method for repairing a bone fracture with a compression screw assembly is provided. First and second non-resorbable compression members are positioned so that the head portion of the compression screw can protrude from the surface of the second non-resorbable compression member after further compression is effected by the normal healing process. At least the head portion of the screw is formed of a material that resorbs upon contact with body fluids.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard Treharne
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:21
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/56; A61B17/58; A61B17/68; A61B17/74; A61B17/742; A61B17/746; A61B2017/00004; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S606/00; Y10S606/907; Y10S606/908
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
170 words
A method for repairing a bone fracture with a compressing screw having a head portion and first and second non-resorbable compression members positioned so that the head portion of the screw can protrude from the surface of the second non-resorbable compression member after further compression is effected by the normal healing process, comprising the steps of: (a) connecting the first non-resorbable compression member to a first bone section on one side of a fracture; (b) connecting the second non-resorbable compression member to a second bone section on the other side of the fracture, the first and second members cooperating in such a way that the compressing screw can be used to compress the fracture by pulling the holding the first and second members together; and (c) compressing the fracture by utilizing the compressing screw with the head portion spaced from the bone fracture area and that bears against the first non-resorbable compression member, at least the head portion being formed of a material that resorbs on contact with body fluids.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
170 words
A method for repairing a bone fracture with a compressing screw having a head portion and first and second non-resorbable compression members positioned so that the head portion of the screw can protrude from the surface of the second non-resorbable compression member after further compression is effected by the normal healing process, comprising the steps of: (a) connecting the first non-resorbable compression member to a first bone section on one side of a fracture; (b) connecting the second non-resorbable compression member to a second bone section on the other side of the fracture, the first and second members cooperating in such a way that the compressing screw can be used to compress the fracture by pulling the holding the first and second members together; and (c) compressing the fracture by utilizing the compressing screw with the head portion spaced from the bone fracture area and that bears against the first non-resorbable compression member, at least the head portion being formed of a material that resorbs on contact with body fluids.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the head is formed with an opening of the middle thereof to expose a greater portion of the head to body fluids.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the head is formed with notches to expose a greater portion of the head to body fluids.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 2, wherein the resorbable material is formed of poly (DL-lactide) having a weight molecular weight of 40,000-160,000.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
169 words
A method for repairing bone fractures with a compressing screw having a head portion, and first and second non-resorbable compression members positioned so that the head portion of the screw can protrude from the surface of the second non-resorbable compression member after further compression is effected by the normal healing process, comprising the steps of: (a) connecting the first compression member to a first bone section on one side of a fracture; (b) connecting the second compression member to a second bone section on the other side of the fracture, the first and second members cooperating in such a way that a compressing screw can be used to compress the fracture by pulling the first and second members together, (c) compressing the fracture by inserting and tightening a non-resorbable compressing screw, and (d) replacing said non-resorbable compressing screw with a compressing screw with at least head portion formed of a material that resorbs on contact with body fluids, after the non-resorbable screw has been used to compress the fracture.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
169 words
A method for repairing bone fractures with a compressing screw having a head portion, and first and second non-resorbable compression members positioned so that the head portion of the screw can protrude from the surface of the second non-resorbable compression member after further compression is effected by the normal healing process, comprising the steps of: (a) connecting the first compression member to a first bone section on one side of a fracture; (b) connecting the second compression member to a second bone section on the other side of the fracture, the first and second members cooperating in such a way that a compressing screw can be used to compress the fracture by pulling the first and second members together, (c) compressing the fracture by inserting and tightening a non-resorbable compressing screw, and (d) replacing said non-resorbable compressing screw with a compressing screw with at least head portion formed of a material that resorbs on contact with body fluids, after the non-resorbable screw has been used to compress the fracture.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 5, wherein the compressing screw is formed entirely of resorbable material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 6, wherein the head is formed of a material that resorbs faster than the remainder of the screw.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 5, wherein the head is formed with an opening on the middle thereof to expose a greater portion of the head to body fluids.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 5, wherein the head is formed with notches to expose a greater portion of the head to body fluids.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 6, wherein the resorbable material is formed of poly(DL-lactide) having a weight molecular weight of 40,000-160,000.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
149 words
A method for repairing bone fractures with a compressing screw having a head portion and first and second non-resorbable compression members positioned so that the head portion of the screw can protrude from the surface of the second non-resorbable compression member after further compression is effected by the normal healing process, comprising the steps of: (a) connecting the first compression member to a first bone section on one side of a fracture; (b) connecting the second compression member to a second bone section on the other side of the fracture, the first and second members cooperating in such a way that the compressing screw can be used to compress the fracture by pulling and holding the first and second members together, and (c) compressing the fracture by utilizing a compressing screw formed entirely of resorbable material with a head portion that resorbs faster than the remainder of the screw.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
149 words
A method for repairing bone fractures with a compressing screw having a head portion and first and second non-resorbable compression members positioned so that the head portion of the screw can protrude from the surface of the second non-resorbable compression member after further compression is effected by the normal healing process, comprising the steps of: (a) connecting the first compression member to a first bone section on one side of a fracture; (b) connecting the second compression member to a second bone section on the other side of the fracture, the first and second members cooperating in such a way that the compressing screw can be used to compress the fracture by pulling and holding the first and second members together, and (c) compressing the fracture by utilizing a compressing screw formed entirely of resorbable material with a head portion that resorbs faster than the remainder of the screw.
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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) | 1991-10-11 | 1992-04-11 | 1992-10-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-10-11 | 1996-04-11 | 1996-10-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-10-11 | 2000-04-11 | 2000-10-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |