US4776851A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mechanical ligament
Assignee: W.L. Gore and Associates Inc
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Filing: 1986-07-23
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Granted: 1988-10-11
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Expires: 2006-07-23
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to a prosthetic ligament comprising at least one intra-osseous bearing members in a bone of a joint and an intra-articular linkage means connecting the intra-osseous member to the other bone so that multiple degrees of motion are provided between the bones.
Inventors
- 👤 William C. Bruchman
- 👤 Scott N. Stonebrook
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:37
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; A61F2250/00; A61F2250/0004; A61F2250/0007
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
A prosthetic ligament for connecting two adjacent bones of the body, said ligament comprising: (a) an intra-osseous member to be affixed at one end thereof to one of said bones, the intra-osseous member having a bearing member affixed at the other end thereof, said bearing member having at least one-dimensional freedom of movement; (b) linkage means connected to said bearing member and having means for connecting said linkage means to said other adjacent bone, said linkage means having at least one-dimensional freedom of movement, (c) said bearing member being selected from the group consisting of ball and socket, hinge, and clevis-type hinge bearings; whereby, said linkage means and bearing member provide multi-dimensional freedom of movement between said two adjacent bones when connected by said prosthetic ligament.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
A prosthetic ligament for connecting two adjacent bones of the body, said ligament comprising: (a) an intra-osseous member to be affixed at one end thereof to one of said bones, the intra-osseous member having a bearing member affixed at the other end thereof, said bearing member having at least one-dimensional freedom of movement; (b) linkage means connected to said bearing member and having means for connecting said linkage means to said other adjacent bone, said linkage means having at least one-dimensional freedom of movement, (c) said bearing member being selected from the group consisting of ball and socket, hinge, and clevis-type hinge bearings; whereby, said linkage means and bearing member provide multi-dimensional freedom of movement between said two adjacent bones when connected by said prosthetic ligament.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The prosthesis of claim 1 wherein said linkage means is a chain.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The prosthesis of claim 1 wherein there is second bearing comprising a ball and socket affixed to said linkage means and said other bone.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The prosthesis of claim 3 wherein said bearing members are clevis hinges and socket bearing members and said linkage means is a turnbuckle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The prosthesis of claim 3 wherein one bearing member is a ball and socket, said linkage means in a turnbuckle and said second bearing is a clevis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The prosthesis of claim 3 wherein said bearing members are balls and sockets and said linkage means is a rigid bar.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The prosthesis of claim 3 wherein one said bearing member is a ball and socket and the other is a clevis hinge in place of said ball and socket and said linkage means is a rigid bar.
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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 |